Life’s been very busy for me after the draft and I haven’t had the same time as usual or the proper internet access to update the site. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be adding some things to the site and coming up with some original content. Heck, I hadn’t even checked the comments section or my e-mail for this site to see all those wondering what was up. Thanks for the concern, and I’ll be back in the swing of things as soon as possible.
Thanks again.
– Chris
It was only fitting that the Beat reached the 20,000 unique hit mark on the day of the NFL Draft. Thanks to everyone for visiting and the continued support. I’m going to get some rest now and be up bright and early for the draft. Take care everyone, and thanks once again!
This is it folks, the calm before the storm. Germany before Hitler. America before Bush. Here are the players for my mock draft. How about this Broncos bunch? Can you guess who? What round? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The names, rounds and placements later. Enjoy the mind tease.
Revealing the players in the picture:
#12 – Ryan Clady, OT – Boise State [If Not Available, Chris Willams]
[Alternate selections: Jonathan Stewart, RB - Rashard Mendenhall, RB]
It’s no surprise that the Broncos need an offensive tackle. With only two tackles on their roster, the Broncos couldn’t fool a retard into believing this isn’t the way they’re going with their first pick. Coach Shanahan says he likes the options in the first and second rounds, but he’s not that dumb to pass up elite talents at the position. From what I hear, the Broncos have Clady ranked higher than both Albert and Williams. If Clady is at #12, the Broncos will take him. That’s a guarantee. If he’s not there, they’ll look to Christoper Williams and possibly Brandon Albert – if neither are there, the darkhorse running back pick comes into mind, but a trade back might be more viable.
Clady is viewed by a lot of teams as the best pure left tackle in this draft class, but has slipped a little in light of his poor Wonderlic score. Broncos fans in general are concerned whether or not that’ll have an impact on him being able to understand our blocking scheme and come in and compete right away. It’s a little alarming, but Clady is the protypical fit for an NFL left tackle and has the size to get even bigger. This might be the only time in the near future that the Broncos have at nabbing a franchise tackle, so it’s best they take it.
#42 – Chris Johnson, RB – Eastern Carolina
[Alternate selections: Ray Rice, RB - Sam Baker, OT - Jamaal Charles, RB]
This might be a surprising pick, but the Broncos do enjoy the crop of running backs they have this year. Johnson’s not going to be the kind of back that’ll carry the rock 30 times a game — but no team in the NFL is expecting that of anyone anymore. Some may question this selection with Selvin Young on board, but Johnson brings unprecedented return potential the Broncos haven’t had since Deltha O’Neal and has had extensive experience as a running back and a wide receiver.
This is just an option the Broncos cannot afford to pass up after missing out on Maurice Jones-Drew and Devin Hester. Cutler gets help in the backfield in a variety of ways and the special teams unit finally as a returner. What’s not to like?
#108 – Jonathan Goff, ILB – Vanderbilt
[Alternate selections: Philip Wheeler, ILB - Geno Hayes, OLB]
Count me in with the crowd that’s not convinced Niko Koutouvides is the long term option at middle linebacker. The Broncos will have an opportunity to get some competition at the position earlier with names like Dan Connor and Curtis Lofton being available at #42, but if they opt for a running back – they can find players like Jonathan Goff in the early fourth round. Goff might have problems being a three down linebacker in the NFL due to some concerns regarding his ability in coverage, but he’s a hard-nosed – two down thumper who lives, eats and breathes football. A team leader and a high character person, Goff is the kind of guy you want leading your team out of the tunnel on Sunday’s.
#119 – DeMario Pressley, DT – North Carolina State
[Alternate selections: Best Available Defensive Tackle]
With the addition of DeWayne Robertson, the Broncos do not need to draft a defensive tackle on the first day. Robertson brings nose-tackle presence, while Thomas and McKinley offer variety at the position. What Denver could use now is a prototypical three technique who can blow through the gaps and disrupt. Pressley never lived up to his recruit press clippings but is a quality prospect in his own right and is good value here in round four if the Broncos are interested in adding another youngster to the inside defensive line mix.
#139 – Lavelle Hawkins, WR/RS – California
[Alternate selections: Best Skill Position Player/Return Specialist]
The Broncos may have added Darrell Jackson, Sammie Parker and Keary Colbert – but they could use another warm body at camp considering Jackson and Parker as of now are one year rentals. Hawkins has legitimate #3 potential in the NFL and doubles as an impressive return specialist. If he’s here in the early fifth round, the Broncos would have a hard time not taking him. Word is that some teams even prefer him over his highly touted teammate DeSean Jackson.
#148 – Jamar Adams, S – Michigan
[Alternate selections: Best Safety Available]
The Broncos talked to Adams at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, but that’s not the reason I have them selecting him. Where the additions of McCree and Manuel undoubtedly helped the defensive back field, McCree, Lynch and Abdullah only have one year contracts. The Broncos would be apt to bring in a young safety who could learn the ropes before ascending to a starting position. Adams won’t offer you much in pass coverage – but as a run defender he’s one of the best safeties in the class; and also one of the hardest hitters. Late fifth round value for Adams is excellent, considering the overall lack of quality options in this years’ safety class.
#183 – Taylor Mehlhaff, K – Wisconsin
The Broncos have been reported to be in love with Wisconsin kicker Taylor Mehlaff because of his big leg and solid accuracy. Mehlhaff should have the one up over other kicking prospects due to the fact that he doubles as a kickoff specialist as well. It’s possible that Mehlhaff, who is ranked on many boards as the #1 kicker in the draft goes earlier — but we can only hope he falls this far. It won’t be easy, but somebody has to fill Jason Elam’s shoes.
#220 – Pedro Sosa, OL – Rutgers
Pedro Sosa is not as quality of a prospect as his teammate Jeremy Zuttah, but deserves to be drafted. Undersized for an NFL offensive tackle, Sosa will likely have to make the move inside if he wants to play in the NFL. That’s the sort of versatility that’s underestimated in the NFL and it’s the sort of versatility the Broncos have shown they love – considering the drafting of prospects like Chris Myers and Chris Kuper in the past.
#227 – Darnell Terrell, CB – Missouri
Terrell certainly has the ability to go much higher than this, but he is not a standout at cornerback in a very deep class and wouldn’t rank very highly amongst the safeties — which is another position he’s being projected at. Terrell has great size at 6′2 – 200 pounds, but struggles in man coverage. He would be a solid pick for the Broncos who have been known for playing zone schemes extensively in the past and would provide versatility in the defensive backfield.
That’s it. . . and we’ll see how it all unfolds tomorrow and Sunday! I’ll be blogging both days, so stick around and enjoy the Draft!
The Denver Broncos are the only team I really care about in the NFL, but upon requests from some friends, viewers and forum die hards, I’ve decided to start doing full mocks again, regardless of how stupid I am regarding their needs.
1 Miami Dolphins — Jake Long, OT
2 St. Louis Rams — Chris Long, DE
3 Atlanta Falcons — Matt Ryan, QB
4 Oakland Raiders — Darren McFadden, RB
5 Kansas City Chiefs — Glenn Dorsey, DT
6 New York Jets — Brandon Albert, OT/OG
7 New England Patriots — Vernon Gholston, DE
8 Baltimore Ravens — Sedrick Ellis, DT
9 Cincinnati Bengals — Keith Rivers, OLB
10 New Orleans Saints — Leodis McKelvin, CB
11 Buffalo Bills — Devin Thomas, WR
12 Denver Broncos — Ryan Clady, OT
13 Carolina Panthers — Jonathan Stewart, RB
14 Chicago Bears — Chris Williams, OT
15 Detroit Lions — Jarod Mayo, LB
16 Arizona Cardinals — Rashard Mendenhall, RB
17 Kansas City — Derrick Harvey, DE
18 Houston Texans — Jeff Otah, OT
19 Philadelphia Eagles — James Hardy, WR
20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Michael Jenkins, CB
21 Washington Redskins — Phillip Merling, DE
22 Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) — Aqib Talib, CB
23 Pittsburgh Steelers — Gosder Cherilus, OT
24 Tennessee Titans — Limas Sweed, WR
25 Seattle Seahawks — Dustin Keller, TE
26 Jacksonville Jaguars — Kentwan Balmer, DT
27 San Diego Chargers — Calais Campbell, DE
28 Dallas Cowboys — Felix Jones, RB
29 San Francisco 49ers — Cliff Avril, OLB/DE
30 Green Bay Packers — Antoine Cason, CB
— New England Patriots Selection forfeited —
31 New York Giants — Dan Connor, LB
At best I get ten right, but I doubt that will even happen.
Final and full length Broncos mock draft will be up later this evening, the analysis is beginning and the panicking started weeks ago. Sit tight and enjoy!
Official Draft Day Coverage!
April 26, 2008 by Christopher HartFinal Thoughts: Overall, this Broncos draft deserves an A-. They met a lot of needs, got a lot of quality players, but there were some reaches and some injury concerns.
UDFA’s for the Broncos:
Denver has selected Ryan Clady as I expected and predicted months ago. A lot of people are down on him because of his Wonderlic scores, but real talent evaluators understand and know he was the best pure left tackle in the NFL Draft and can get it done in the NFL. Denver was extremely fortunate for him to be there at #12 when he was a consensus top ten player in the draft; but the trades and movement today certainly helped the Broncos and they’ve landed a potential franchise left tackle in Ryan Clady.
Clady has the best feet and the longest arms of any tackle in the draft and is an experienced player. According to Mike Shanahan, he was their #2 tackle on their board and is expected to play immediately. Those comparing him to George Foster are making an erroneous comparison and clearly don’t understand football.
NFL.com analysis on Ryan Clady’s selection:
Selection Grade: A – By selecting Ryan Clady, the Broncos have made the effort to protect their franchise quarterback Jay Cutler. He was their second ranked tackle overall, and a consensus top ten player by most experts and media outlets.
Selecting Eddie Royal at #42 might be a little questionable to most fans, but he has legitimate receiving potential as a deep threat and is an absolute terror in the return game. He’s a high quality, high effort player and is a special teams demon. He should be able to help the Broncos right away in both aspects of the game. Some may ask why we didn’t go after DeSean Jackson, but concerns regarding his character and ultimately being 20 pounds lighter than Royal may have factored into the decision making process to pass on him in the second round.
Keep in mind that Denver was high on Hester and Jones-Drew coming out of school as returners, and have been looking for their electric guy for a few years. With Royal on the squad, it’s possible they’ve found their man. Factor in that Denver has several injured wide receivers and new one year rentals, and the selection of Royal makes even more sense. According to PFW’s team grade chart, he was considered a high second rounder by most teams in the NFL.
Paraphrased from an interview at Mobile, Royal talks about his game:
Now those are the kinds of players you draft!
NFL.com analysis on Eddie Royal’s selection:
Mike Shanahan on Eddie Royal:
Selection Grade: B+ – Royal will provide instant punt and kick return ability and can have an impact stretching the field as a sub package receiver. Where he’s ideal in a slot role, he has the ability to play on the outside in the NFL.
With questions surrounding Ben Hamilton, the age of Tom Nalen and the trading of Chris Myers, the Broncos obviously opted to get a future prospect on the inside of the line for the Broncos with the selection of Kory Lichtensteiger. He had the best blocking percentage rate out of any center in college football with 84.45%. In over 3,200 snaps in college, only allowed one quarterback pressure and was only penalized four times. He’s a tough player with great technique and discipline and should help the Broncos down the road.
NFL.com analysis on Kory Lichtensteigers’s selection:
Selection Grade: B – This selection is an A based on the help it gives the team and the need it fills, but Lichtensteiger is coming off of shoulder surgery and might not be ready at camp. However, he has the ability to be a long-term starter in the NFL.
This is probably one pick that Denver fans really don’t like, but the analysts on NFL Network seem to think he was one of the better players available. He’s a smaller cornerback, but built pretty well and is aggressive against both the run and the pass. Here’s a little tidbit from his profile (since I have not seen much of him) from NFL.com.
According to ESPN Scouts Inc., Williams was rated as a third round prospect with legitimate starting potential in the NFL. With Foxworth and Paymah potentially leaving in 2008, the Broncos made sure to get another youngster at the cornerback position. Williams also has the ability to return punts and kicks.
NFL.com analysis on Jack Williams’ selection:
Selection Grade: B+ – With Foxworth and Paymah being free agents at the end of the year, the Broncos needed to get a cornerback to replace them in case they leave. Williams is an interesting physical specimen with a lot of upside and legitimate starting potential. He would serve best as a nickel corner right away, and should bring help to our special teams coverage units.
Torain’s an interesting pick for the Broncos who almost always are interested in upgrading their stable of backs. Torain was on a tear earlier this year for the Sun Devils before suffering a toe injury. When healthy, he played like a top 100 selection and had an early round grade prior to his injury by most draft outlets. Staying healthy is his only weakness, otherwise he has a nice blend of size (6′1, 222) and speed with the proper vision to succeed for the Broncos. Running between the tackles is key here in Denver and Torain can do that. Some believe he compares favorably to former Broncos back, Mike Anderson.
NFL.com analysis on Ryan Torain’s selection:
Selection Grade: C+ – Torain could be the next in a long line of Broncos backs to have success here in Denver, but considering his injury history and the other players available at this point in the draft, this pick will receive my lowest rating to date.
It seems like teams were awfully disinterested in this years defensive tackle class and it shows. Carlton Powell is regarded as a high effort, high character player who is very solid against the run. In fact, Powell is so good against the run that he held opponents to -13 yards in the 106 plays directed at him. During his career at Virgina Tech, he started 31 games, had 104 tackles with 5 and a half sacks. He also had 30 quarterback pressures and 21 and a half tackles for loss.
NFL.com analysis on Carlton Powell’s selection:
Selection Grade: A – Powell isn’t the flashiest player, but he’s a solid selection who addresses a need on the interior. It’s likely that Powell will serve as a back-up this year and play in a rotational role. For those clamoring for run support, Powell will do that for the Broncos.
I’m not thrilled with the selection of Larsen at #183 when there are better linebackers on boards with arguably better special teams potential. Larsen’s age (25) is also concerning as well. Larsen left Arizona for several years to do a mission trip in 2003 and 2004, and returned to the Wildcats shortly after and suffered an ACL injury. Despite the aforementioned negatives, he’s a high character person who can come in and help on special teams right away. He’s not the most physically gifted linebacker, but he gets by with his smarts and passion for the game. It’s unlikely that Larsen will be anything more than a back-up in the NFL.
Selection Grade: C – It’s hard to complain about sixth rounders, but his value was listed a little better here on several sites and reports. His age is concerning, but he’s a high character player and a leader in the locker room. He seems to be a selection right in line with all the others prior to him so far this draft.
A lot of Broncos fans are excited that Barrett fell to the seventh round, and I’m one of them. At one time he was considered an early third round selection, but never lived up to the billing his senior year and fell down boards due to it. He has the physical tools to be a starter in the NFL, and should do well under the tutelage of solid pros like Marlon McCree and John Lynch.
Selection Grade: A – As a player I wouldn’t give this an A grade, but based on the value it most certainly is deserving. Barrett has legitimate starting potential and brings some youth to a Broncos defensive backfield that definitely needs it.
Hillis is arguably the best fullback in this draft. He should be an interesting weapon to have in Shanahan’s offense considering he can block, run and catch the ball. Denver may have finally found a long-term solution to their recently revolving door at the fullback position which has included names like Cecil Sapp, Kyle Johnson and even Mike Anderson.
Selection Grade: A – Hillis could start from Day 1 and replace Cecil Sapp as the Broncos fullback. He’s a versatile weapon and at the very least will be a solid special teams player for the Broncos.
For additional analysis, the Denver Post has you covered!
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