Modified Mock: Changing Gears

As I mentioned, the pending suspension of Travis Henry which is bound to happen unless a landmark victory is made in the courtroom will have a severe impact on the Broncos off-season this next year. Where Michael Turner is a viable option in free agency, the Broncos could spend their money elsewhere on free agents at other positions who could prove their worth, rather than shelling out top dollar for a talented running back with limited playing time. With the suspension on the horizon, I decided to shake-up the mock draft a little because it’s almost a consensus that Selvin Young isn’t going to be the every down workhorse this team needs going into the future.

First Round Selection: Keith Rivers, LB – Southern Cal

One position almost nobody would have though to be such a major concern until a few years down the road became a concern immediately when Al Wilson was released by the Broncos after failing a physical with the Giants that negated the of an addition of a third round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. Losing Wilson for the Broncos have proved to be monumental on the defensive side of the Broncos this year. The team desperately misses his on the field tenacity and most importantly the love for the game, and the leadership he displayed on the field. Where DJ Williams is among the leading tacklers at his position this year and done an average job filling in for Wilson, he’s still a work in progress. However, the linebackers that concern me the most out of our group are not named Williams, they’re named Gold and Webster – which leave some questions on the outside linebacker positions for the future.

Where the Broncos coaching staff has invested confidence in all three of the linebackers, the spicing up of the position by releasing D.D. Lewis and adding the oft-injured Jordan Beck to the corps makes be believe that the coaches do understand the poor play at the position, and are already looking for ways to try and fix the problem. Beck is not a long-term solution, and is a likely candidate for special teams – however with a draft so promising at linebacker and with the Broncos having a good track record of finding players who can contribute at the position.

With the Broncos on schedule for a top fifteen selection barring a complete turn around in performance, one player they will definitely have their eye on is senior USC linebacker Keith Rivers. Rivers is what you look for in a weakside prospect at the next level. He has excellent speed, great lateral ability and makes plays in the running game. He makes plays behind the line, against the quarterback and is always around the ball. Where he could show improvement defending against the pass, he has the potential to become one of the better weakside players in the league and is a true blue-chip prospect.

I had mentioned on several forums that with the depth of this linebacker class, the Broncos could afford to wait until round two if they were interested in getting a versatile prospect on the inside or out in the draft – but with the possibility of landing a blue-chip linebacker like Keith Rivers, the Broncos would be wise to consider the prospect of having a long-term force at the position – but should also carefully weigh there other options here early in the first round at such positions as offensive tackle and defensive tackle. Regardless, Rivers provides the Broncos with versatility and a quality college prospect who can come in and contribute as a starter from Day One, which is something the Broncos desperately will need if their trio continues to struggle throughout the year.

Round Two Selection: James Davis, RB – Clemson

With the ambiguity surrounding the Henry situation and the devastating impact it brings to a team who based on his 2007 production – so far had the best running back in Denver since Terrell Davis, the Broncos will be in the market for another running back at the end of the season. It’s extremely disappointing and frustrating on several levels given the fact that Henry professed himself to be clean, and that the possible (but likely) suspension of Henry creates yet another need for the Broncos heading into the draft and off-season. Unfortunately for the Broncos, this senior class of running backs is not strong, and the free agent class is also very weak – outside Charger free agent running back Michael Turner.

However, with the bad there has to be some good – and with underclassmen such as McFadden, Slaton and Stewart set to make the jump to the NFL early, there could be some intriguing value for the Broncos on Day One. However, that’s not the back I am looking at when it comes to early entrants. I’m looking at Clemson Tiger junior James Davis as the Broncos second round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Where it’s a given that Davis isn’t held in the same regard as the aforementioned juniors, he’s a quality prospect in his own right. The former ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year had a great sophomore campaign and has had relative success leading Clemson to an overall record of 4-2. However, there is word coming out of Clemson that Davis is considering leaving school early to enter the draft due to having to split carries with talented sophomore C.J. Spiller and that he feels he’s not being utilized well enough in Bowden’s offense.

Despite his struggle in the last game against Virginia Tech, Davis has had a solid year with the Tigers despite having to split carries. He’s averaging over 6 yards a carry and has four rushing touchdowns and an additional receiving touchdown on the year. Where he’s not the most established pass catcher at the position in college football, he has the ability to be a successful back as a check down option in the NFL and could bring some versatility in that department. Where it’s unsure whether or not Davis is certain to go into the NFL Draft early, he’s a prospect you should start begging to watch and remember. When there’s a prospect playing in a tough conference who is averaging more than 5.5 YPC for his career and has 2,500 yards and thirty touchdowns while splitting carries in two and a half years of college ball, scouts and teams are going to take notice – and the Broncos would be apt to consider a prospect who brings the package to the table and offers a long-term option at a position where the Broncos certainly will have questions at if Henry is indeed suspended.

Fourth Round Selection: Red Bryant, DT – Texas A&M

At one point last season prior to a season ending injury – Bryant was considered one of the top prospects at his position in the country and on pace for a high selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. However, it still seems that his knee injury is having an impact on his play this season with the Aggies. Bryant hasn’t been able to turn on the jets, and has settled for only one sack and getting most of his tackles by assists rather than solo, but is still stout against the run and is an ideal player on the interior in Jim Bates’ defense. His inconsistencies are frustrating, and his knee injury might shy teams away from him due to playing a position that requires and has so much wear and tear in the NFL.

If Bryant can prove to be healthy and work out well after the season, his name could go back into first day consideration, but there are too many question marks surrounding his health and inconsistency this season to allow him to be a first day prospect. However, he would still be an excellent selection for the Broncos in round four because men his size are few and far between, and if healthy – he could prove to be a viable part in the Broncos defense.

Fourth Round Selection: Quintin Demps, S – UTEP

This is one pick, along with another that isn’t going to change in this draft but may in the future. As I mentioned in my previous mock – Demps is one of the better safety prospects available in the 2008 NFL Draft. He wouldn’t start right away, but he would prove to be a valuable player on our return and coverage units on special teams. He has good ball skills in coverage and is feisty in run support. Demps is one player I haven’t been able to see much this year, but hope to see what he can do as the year goes on.

Fifth Round Selection: Lavelle Hawkins, WR – California

Hawkins may be one of the best kept secrets in the NFL Draft right now, but people are starting to catch on and he might not be a secret any longer. He’s a threat in the return game and so far has outplayed fellow teammate DeSean Jackson in the receiving department. As several other members on the Orange Mane have mentioned (BPC, SoCalBronco) Hawkins would bring some much needed speed and the dimension of a vertical threat to our receiving corps, as well as bolstering our return game. After workouts, it’s likely that Hawkins will rise up the draft boards – but right now due to a relatively strong receiving class, it’s possible to think that a guy like Hawkins could be there waiting for us on Day 2.

Fifth Round Selection: Jeremy Zuttah, OL – Rutgers

Once again this is a selection that is not going to change to to the versatility of Zuttah as a player. With Nalen being out for the year in addition to Hamilton, the Broncos are going to need more options on the interior of the offensive line since we have players switching roles just to make the unit function. Zuttah is probably too small to play tackle in the NFL, but could move in on the interior and make a difference for the Broncos. He may not be 300 pounds plus, but he plays like it.

Seventh Round Selection: Wallace Gilberry, DE – Alabama

Gilberry is an undersized defensive end but offers some capability as a pass rusher and excels at stopping the run. He would do well in a rotational system like here and would offer some possibilities on the defensive front four. With Simeon Rice being on a one year contract and John Engleberger being unimpressive this season, it may be worth another shot to get a final installment of young defensive ends into the stable.

Seventh Round Selection: Joe Mays, LB – North Dakota State University

A bit of a homer selection considering I attend North Dakota State, but hear me out. Joe Mays is widely regarded as one of the best D-I AA linebackers in the nation and has been a difference maker since his sophomore season at NDSU. He’s the Bison’s all-time solo leading tackler and plays the run tough and excels in coverage as well. Mays is an inside linebacker at North Dakota State University in a defensive scheme that doesn’t utilize a standard middle linebacker. Where Mays measures in at a bulky 245 (pure muscle) he is only 5′11 so some people question his ability to succeed at the next level. Mays will probably never be a starter, but he’s a fiery player who loves the game and could excel at special teams if given the opportunity.