Calling Up Trench Warriors

The Broncos spent the 2007 NFL Draft with one focus in mind: improving the team’s trenches.

According to Coach Mike Shanahan and GM Ted Sundquist, the Broncos were focused on three players with their first-round selection. They included Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell, Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons and Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss. The plan of attack, had the chips fell in the Broncos favor, was to select two of these players – as it was reported they had a deal in place with the Dallas Cowboys to obtain their first-rounder if at least two of them were available at the time of the Broncos selection at #21, so the Broncos would have had back to back selections.

Much to the chagrin of the Broncos, Lawrence Timmons and Justin Harrell went to Pittsburgh and Green Bay respectively, and the hopes of achieving two impact players fell out of their hands. With only one of their top three targets left, the Broncos traded their original third-round selection and a day two pick to move up to #17 and select defensive end Jarvis Moss out of Florida. Where some fans may question this trade, and the value given up – as some argue that Moss would have been there at #21, you cannot fault the Broncos for fulfilling their biggest need – and finally ending the “daft woes” of ignoring the defensive front for the past several years.

Moss is an imposing player on the defensive line. At 6′6, 250 pounds – he has the size, the wingspan and the athleticism to be an every-down player in the NFL. He’s the protypical Jim Bates’ defensive end, and if he lives up to his draft status – he could have the sort of impact defensive ends like Jason Taylor and Adewale Ogunleye had under the tutelage of Coach Bates. However, Moss is still relatively raw as a prospect in regards to run support and could stand to bulk up in order to successfully shed blockers at the next level, but in the presser following his selection – Coach Shanahan thought that Moss displayed enough on tape to prove to be successful against the run at the pro level, and cited Charles Haley, as being a lighter, athletic defensive end who didn’t need the bulk to succeed at the NFL level.

As is, it looks like Moss has the ability to come in and contribute right away for the Broncos, however the concerns and questions noted may keep him from having a starting role at the beginning of the 2007 season, but it’s likely that he could assume a starting role if he progresses properly enough. If Moss does not become a starter this season, Broncos fans shouldn’t worry, because there’s a possibility that the second selection of the 2007 NFL Draft could assume to a starting role as early as opening day.

First Day Selections: Moss, Crowder, Harris

With the #56 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Broncos sought to add more help on the defensive line by selecting Texas standout Tim Crowder. Crowder, like Moss is a very athletic defensive end with great triangular numbers, but the style of play between the two differs immensely. Where Moss is likely to be a candidate and only a candidate as a right defensive end for the Broncos, Crowder will fill a void at left defensive end. With a lack of quality depth, and Courtney Brown’s career coming to the end, the Broncos needed a young player to groom who could eventually take over and start at strong side end. Crowder has the athleticism and ability to contribute from Day One, and according to Coach Bates has been very impressive in camp and OTA’s. However, Crowder needs to become more consistent and needs to focus on the mental game of football, and could use some revision in his pass-rushing technique. As is, Crowder is an upgrade at a position where the Broncos desperately needed help, and if things go well – the Broncos could have a defensive end similar to the mold of Greg Ellis who can be a consistent pass rusher notching 7 to 9 sacks a year and be an anchor against the run.

After selecting two defensive ends, the Broncos shifted their focus from one side of the line to the other – and with the #70 selection in the NFL Draft, the Broncos selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Ryan Harris. With George Foster being traded to the Detroit Lions, Matt Lepsis coming off an ACL injury and Adam Meadows hampered down by shoulder pain, the Broncos opted to draft the talented left tackle from the Fighting Irish to help shore up their offensive front. At 6′4, 300 pounds, Ryan Harris may lack the ideal height of an NFL left tackle, but has the ability to pack on more weight, and still not lose the athleticism he poses which is fits perfectly into the Broncos zone blocking scheme. While Harris had a drop off in pass protection from his junior to senior campaigns, overall he does a nice job in pass protection – but could improve his overall technique in respect to his blocking against the rush and for the run. Harris’ athleticism allows him to get to the second level quickly, which is essential for the Broncos running game to have success.

Harris was widely considered a first-round talent at the beginning of the year, but his inconsistency as a senior hurt his draft stock. Harris needs to refine his technique and could stand to get stronger in order to be a successful starter at the NFL level, and some question whether or not he has a “killer instinct”, which former Broncos tackle George Foster seemed to lack after snapping Bengals defensive tackle Tony Williams leg in half. Even so, the selection of Ryan Harris at #70 was an excellent value selection for the Broncos, and Harris could crack the starting line-up in 2008 – since he’s likely to take the route of all Broncos lineman and take a year behind the starters to learn the nuances of the system.

As Day One came to and end, the Broncos were left with a few late selections on Day Two – but those selections weren’t good enough for the Broncos. Early on Day Two, Dove Valley began to get busy as the Broncos were looking for suitors to move up in hopes to select one of their targets they felt high about. It wasn’t until they called the Minnesota Vikings that the Broncos were able to pull off a trade, and land the controversial, albeit talented Florida defensive tackle Marcus Thomas.

Thomas’ play at Florida was consistent against top level competition, however his inability to stay out of trouble resulted in him being dismissed from the team only a third of the way through the season. Before the draft, the Broncos had brought in Thomas for an interview to see if he was worth the risk/reward. Obviously, the Broncos Brass felt he was – and they invested a 2008 third-rounder, as well as their 2007 sixth and seventh round selections to land him.

As is, the Broncos feel that they landed a first-round talent in the fourth-round – and if he stays out of trouble, he may prove to be one of the steals of the draft. Where the Broncos have added numerous players such as Sam Adams, Adam McKinley and Jimmy Kennedy to their defensive tackle rotation, Thomas has the talent and ability to see playing time early on for the Broncos, but may be facing an uphill battle with four veterans (including Gerard Warren) ahead of him on the depth chart. However, the Broncos and their fans are hopeful he can prove their critics wrong – and if he does, they’ll have a special player on their hands.

The Broncos failure to land John Abraham and Patrick Kerney over the past two off-seasons may have been some of the best circumstantial events to happen to the Broncos in recent memory. Due to this failure, the Broncos were forced into drafting young talent on the defensive line, and they selected three quality players. Three quality players who will come at a cost much cheaper than any of the two aforementioned players combined – and a quality tackle who has the ability to be a starter for a long time on the Broncos offensive line.

So with the 2007 Draft in the books, Broncos coaches and fans will watch closely to see how these selections progress. On the outside looking in, it looks like Broncos have set themselves up long-term on the defensive front – and we can only hope that the investment of four selections via trade for the players they selected will be worth it. Some say that football games are ultimately won in the trenches, and with the Broncos stout secondary covered with All-Pro’s and Pro-Bowlers – the addition of youth and talent to the defensive line via the draft can only make things easier for them.

If you’re a quarterback on an opposing team, look out – there’s a fresh herd of orange and blue coming through.