Time for more thoughts about the upcoming draft. This time, I’ll focus on linebackers, running backs and fullbacks.
You can find draft previews highlighting some of the top picks here on DenverBroncos.com.
LINEBACKERS
This is a position the Broncos should bolster. It is pretty clear the Broncos need to beef up the front seven and the linebacker position is part of that group.
As the draft hype cranks up, Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller’s name keeps cropping up. But I’m not sure I see the Broncos taking a linebacker with the number two overall pick. There are plenty of other good linebackers that could be great pros.
Sure, from everything I hear, Miller is tremendously talented. When a team is picking second overall, however, that is special. My belief is it is easier to find an impact linebacker later in the draft than it is to find, say, an impact defensive lineman in a later round.
I also believe the Broncos need less help at linebacker than they do at some other positions. With the switch back to the 4-3, we’ll have to see what position Elvis Dumervil plays but he, we assume, will be back and healthy again.
There are also guys such as D.J. Williams, Mario Haggan, Robert Ayers, Jason Hunter, Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard on the roster. The Broncos have some options at linebacker. That isn’t to say they couldn’t use a dynamic young one to add to the mix. But I don’t think they need to try to get find that guy second overall.
In addition, the Broncos will likely not need to carry as many linebackers on the roster as they have the past couple of years since they’ll be playing a 4-3 and not a 3-4. The Broncos are currently deeper at linebacker than they are at other positions.
BOTTOM LINE: I would love to see the Broncos draft a linebacker, but not in the first round.
RUNNING BACKS / FULLBACKS
These are interesting positions. We know that new head coach John Fox loves to run the ball. He had two talented backs in Carolina, namely DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stuart. The Broncos running back situation is at least a little clouded.
Yes, Knowshon Moreno is talented. But he has been injury prone and has yet to break out in his first two seasons. Does that mean the Broncos will give up on Moreno? I hardly think so. But I wonder if they’ll be at least a little tempted to pick one.
Correll Buckhalter and Laurence Maroney are a couple other recognizable names on the roster. LenDale White is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. There are some options but several of those options come with legitimate questions.
Fullback is also interesting. We’ll have to see how much Coach Fox wants to use two-back sets. I’d love to somehow see the Broncos find a bruising fullback but I just don’t see them trying to get one in the draft.
BOTTOM LINE: There are some question marks at running back and fullback. Given the Broncos only have six draft picks right now, and given that they have much more pressing needs, I would be at least a little surprised if they drafted a guy at either of these positions.
Thanks for reading. Again, I know many of you have been talking about the draft a lot. If you are so inclined, feel free to post some thoughts on linebackers and running backs/fullbacks.
Best,
Mike
I wonder why my dad was the “interum” principal at my elementary school sometimes.
Oh, crap…we have a listener. Strand, You’re on the air.
LMAO!
One month until D-Day. D=D=D. I like. Good formula. It`s kinda like pie. Instead of (3.14) it`s 4-3 D. LOL
Thanks for dragging me into reallity. Denver=Defense=Domination!
Or Draft Dareus For D!!
Memories swirl. I want a Mecklenberg or Jumpy Gathers “the ForkLift”.
How many people are nicknamed after a piece of machinery.
I was called the human airbrush in art class. I give myself a break.
I’m not sure if my post was directed at you glax. Refresh my memory Charlie!
Huck Fitler…Hey diddle diddle….the fans are stuck in the middle. What an unnecessary predicament. Even 50 percent of us boycotting won’t make a dent-in-it. Raise the ticket prices. Charge triple for jerseys. Charge for relish. And ketchup. And onions and cheese. Charge for ice and paint. Whatever else they find quaint! We are loyal to the end we bleed orange and blue. Use our money for stadiums and Escalades, jet flyovers and iced out chains to pull over (ones
neck). Ah what the heck. This doesn’t make sense. Cause cents are what I know. Compared to the Million-Blllion-aires. Oh what a life I could lead. We are no match for the MaSHEEN that is the NFL or NFLPA….
I remember Jumpy.
I’ve done some (emphasis on some) research on Dareus. It would be good to have a solid plank on the D that isn’t a liability in regards to the player being a threat to society or himself.
We’re not the raiders.
For that matter, I was riding the PP train for quite some time. But after looking at his mental proficiency! Yikes.
It`s just like taking candy from a baby.
He scored a p on the wonderlic test. Thats a concern.
oooops, he scored a 9 on that test. Wow!
Wow! I actually posted too soon.
Thanks for paying attention all this time (at least it feels like it).
Maybe my views are just articulated versions of other bloggers.
At any rate, we’re just the fans. The gas in the tank.
The MaSHeen knows that there’s not enough self actualized fans to disrupt business as usual.
Thoughts on PP;
I didn’t even know about the wonderlic test until logging on here. As a devout respector of academia, PP is off my wish list.
Love this Stanford LB/FB guy. Playing ‘both ways’ says a lot to me.
If he wants to commit to FB I think Denver could use better blocking. The TE pick could prove to be crucial as well.
This doesn’t address the Defense needs though. So, nevermind…for now.
Marcell has what we are in need of. A DT who can play every position on the line and is a young man of good character.
Owen Marecic is on my radar as for a draft pick for us in my mock draft.
Not that we’re anticipating a TE pick.
I see the 1st 2 picks being defense. After that, all bets are off.
Good, good. This is all very helpful.
As I’ve stated before, I am not as versed in College Football Players. And, I’m obviously a sucker for the media’s take.
The delema we are currently in with the CBA is caused by both sides. We live in a risk/reward world. I side with the owners because they are the ones taking the financial risk. If all the fans stopped going to games and buying merchandise….who loses $$$. Not the players. They get paid either way. The owner will be the ones losing all that money. This problem is also the peoples fault. The United States is in a vicious cycle of giving raises to people doing the exact same job they did before. This starts a cycle that raises the cost of everything. It will continue to rise until something eventually gives. When was the last time you told your boss you didnt want a raise?
Sorry for getting into the politics.
Bring on the replacements……
Yeah Royalty, you got to pick your times to blog that’s for sure, at least the day is 24 hour long so everyone has a shot at getting it his way, this is mine, the morning news, haha, so here we go…
Legwold saying it like it is about the new KO rule changes:
Despite the league’s contention it was about player safety, this rules change has caused plenty of frustration among the league’s special-teams coaches. First, they fear, as you add this to the elimination of the wedge, the use of the harder K-ball in the kicking game and the adjustment of the kicking tee quite some time ago, special-teams play is slowly being phased out of the game.
They then believe their jobs are slowly being phased out of the game too.
That may be slightly dramatic at this point, but you can see why they would feel that way.
Not to mention the players who make a name for themselves on KOs.
This is just another new rule change adopted for safety reasons that just takes away from what I have always loved in football, a place where you can see grown men release tons of energies on the field on Sundays beating up on each other so the end result is that I don’t have to go beating people up myself during the week to release the daily life’s countless amount of frustration that I encounter.
And I’m too old to go beat people up now, but the life frustrations remain even so they are starting to fade out a bit and football does not allow that release anymore, so what good is it. Why doesn’t the NFL become a fantasy league made of fantasy players played entirely with electronics for Sunday games. That’s the safest way to go and you could actually have games played year round, imagine all the money the owners would rake in and no more disgruntled overpaid players to worry about. Just like at checkout counters everywhere, replace folks with machines!
And since we have been talking TEs here for days Legwold figured it was time to jump in:
This season, Notre Dame’s Kyle Rudolph is the “if” player, as in if he’s healthy, he is likely the first or second tight end off the board. The 6-foot-6, 259-pound Rudolph had shoulder surgery to close out the 2009 season and then played in just six games in 2010 because of a torn hamstring that also required surgery.
His leg injury kept him from the NFL scouting combine in February. Rudolph is slated to go full speed at Notre Dame’s pro day next Thursday.
The other tight end most teams feel the most settled about in the evaluation process is Wisconsin’s Lance Kendricks. He also comes in with some injury concern, having worn a green, noncontact jersey in practice for much of the 2010 season because of nagging shoulder, knee and ankle injuries as well as a bruised lung that kept him out of some practices.
Kendricks, who at 243 pounds is a smaller option than Rudolph, missed five games in 2008 because of a fractured leg. He has played as a blocker plenty in the Badgers’ run-oriented offense while also catching 72 passes combined in the last two seasons.
Beyond those two, however, is a bevy of question marks, with players who have blown up their workouts without the collegiate production to match the eye-popping numbers.
USC’s Jordan Cameron, for one. At just over 6-5 and at 254 pounds, Cameron ran his 40s in the 4.5s at the scouting combine, is a good enough athlete to have played on the basketball teams at both USC and BYU, but had just 16 catches, all in 2010, in his three years with the Trojans.
There is Nevada’s Virgil Green, whose combine numbers were better than Vernon Davis’ — which are basically the combine benchmark at the position. Green ran in the 4.5s, had an astounding 42-1/2-inch vertical jump and a standing long jump of over 10 feet.
However, in Nevada’s run-heavy “pistol” attack — the team had two 1,000-yard rushers in 2010 to go with three 1,000-yard rushers in 2009 — he had limited impact in games, with three games this past season alone with one or no catches.
Florida Atlantic’s Robert Housler redshirted in 2009 because he was the third tight end on the team’s depth chart. Now teams are looking at his 6-5 frame on a player who actually ran a 4.46 40 at the combine.
And Northern Iowa’s Schuylar Oordt, at 6-5-1/4, 261 pounds, never caught more than 24 passes in any season of his college career, but he averaged over 19 yards a catch in three of those years to go with 16.9 yards per catch this past season.
And to the dismay of many bloggers here, not a single mention of fav TE Luke Stocker from Tennessee. What’s with that Jeff?
And BTW, all Fox needs is a blocking TE, so that narrows down the search quite as bit plus by now Quinn shall be able to do a decent job there. Not as badly a needed position as most make it out to be in my opinion, but yeah a blocking TE would be pretty much in order, but maybe not in the draft since it’s a crappy TE pool….
Woody on Dawkins, and I have to concur on this one:
There’s so much fluidity in the NFL with the players because of the lockout, but I expect Dawkins will be back for one more season because of the lockout. The Broncos really don’t have a replacement for him yet, and he’s a team leader. He’s scheduled to make between $2 million to $3 million, with bonuses and incentives, so the Broncos can afford him, unless the lockout ends soon enough for them to make a run at free-agent safeties, then he could become, like John Lynch, a cut.
And I also concur 100% on his view of the top 3 QB’s in this year’s draft:
So, what do we know about Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Mallett? Newton is an incredible athlete and was a great college quarterback — sounds like a description of Tebow — but scouts wonder about his work ethic, the fact that he played one year of major-college football and his lack of training in a pro-style offense.
I saw Gabbert in the CU-Missouri game at Columbia last year, and loved him. I think he will be an outstanding quarterback in the NFL one day.
Mallett I’m not so sure of. Forget his off-field issues. He has on-field issues, which reared their ugly head last year against a couple of SEC teams.
So as far as QBs go it’s Gabbert or bust for this draft class as far as I’m concerned. Got it Carolina? Haha!
And it looks as so Palmer is pulling a Bailey:
If you’ve got $2.1 million and are in the market for a five-bedroom, two-story property in Indian Hill, then Carson Palmer’s house is just for you. The Palmer house has finally hit the market after the process of getting it ready for sale started early last month.
Mallet has had the same problem throughout his career. He seems to forget you can’t throw it through the defender, sometimes you have to throw it around the defender! When he gets in a rush, he strides into the throw a little too long and really puts the heat on it making it very difficult to catch. When he has the time, he is very accurate and controls the throw. When he gets rushed, he really slings it so he gets a lot of deflections off the receiver’s hands. He had problems with every defense that really put the heat on him for the last 2 years.
I think Mayock has Newton rated 3rd but I think he is more like 4th or 5th. Put him under heat and he runs first, completely forgetting to look for a pass, much like Vick when he came out. I will be the first to admit amazement if Cam Newton does not turn out to be a bust!
I think Andrew Dalton from TCU is the best QB that no-one is talking about this DRAFT season! He played a perfect senior year and despite the fact he has read hair (LOL) he is a complete QB!
That’s my take!
Gabbert
Dalton
Mallet
Newton (way down the list) = he’s not smart enough for the NFL. He’s got the talent, but he’s be the next Vince Young!
***red hair***
With all of this junk going on in the NFL offseason I`m sure glad I have Something to fall back on. Todays opening day of baseball, MLB that is. The two things I enjoy in sports, football and baseball………..
As for my Bronco`s, it can`t come soon enough with the draft coming. Come on April 28.
For the ones here who have ABSOLUTELY nothing better to do, even I just glanced through those articles since I have somehow become so sickly familiar with all that crapola:
Courtroom football now. Prelude to April 6 hearing.
Owners’ side: http://bit.ly/fwK8Mb
Players’ side: http://bit.ly/fYupCk
If Gabbert is the cream of the crop as far as QBs go in the draft this year,it’s a pretty sorry QB class,IMO.The guy threw for over 3000 yds,but as far as TD to INT ratio it was 16 TDs 9 INTs,pretty mediocre for a top 5 draft pick,IMO.
ps……don’t tell the Panthers I said that,lol.
As far as Dawkins goes,I hope we draft Ahmad Black S Florida in the 2nd round,just me! here is a vid of Black!
Dareus DT
Jones ILB
Black S
Stocker TE
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMswzKgJ8DBc&rct=j&q=AHMAD%20BLACK&ei=yMiUTYunJ5CO0QGLquTkCw&usg=AFQjCNGvGpR9gZB0BA39c765pnbhBHJ5bg&cad=rja
Not a baseball guy at all!!! But if I had to root for a team it would either be the TWIN’s because there salaries are some of the lowest in the league (MLB), OR The Yankies just to piss people off!!! LOL
I actually Like Joe Mower (spelling?) of the TWINS he’s a real man! Hunting, Fishing, Sports . . .
I’m a 2 sport man myself,Football and Drinking beer,now if I could get paid to do that,I’d be rich,lol.
Mortensen reports:
Von Miller told me he’ll be in court next Thursday as only rookie plaintiff AND will attend draft, shake R. Goodell’s hand.
Von Miller is both a diplomat and politician, kissing everybody’s arse in style.
But the good part of it is as pointed out by Schefter:
Now that Texas A & M LB Von Miller has said he is going to the NFL draft, there’s no reason for any invited player not to attend.
Now, isn’t that better when you guys get along? Geeee…
And Pennington just pulled a Clady:
Mortensen also reports Chad Pennington can’t catch a break, needs ACL surgery after injury in pick-up basketball game.
Let Chad Pennington’s torn ACL serve as a warning to all NFL players: Workout all you want, but be careful about your workout activities.
That guy is definitely made of glass.
For all the Tebow groupies:
Tim Tebow’s Jockey commercial. http://is.gd/RTnd08
Thank god this one is about his upper part underwear!
Well BFE, it may only be Thursday but I’m going to the Pub about now to spend some money on beers since no one pays me to get a buzz either…
LMAO! BFE, your a sick puppy. If I got paid for drinking I be off the clock after 3 hours. Light weight here. LOL!
Dareus…Dareus…Dareus….Please!?!?!!? We need a stud D-linemen and we have not drafted one since Pryce. Come one John squared and Brian, make this happen.
Bay keep up the good work mate. I have only posted 3 times and you have told me off twice. Have to admit though your knowledge is superb. If we disagree I will reply, but have to say you are orange thru and thru keep it up mucker.
In regards to the labour dispute lads do not forget you pay to see the talent on the field. That would be the players. The tv guys and owners are tied at the hip do not let them make you think that they are right. Like most workers (players) they are told they need to take a pay cut to stay in a job while at the same time the owners increase their profit margin. You all know a four year contract with an injury will not translate to super rich. By the way pay scales are set from top to bottom so do not forget the practice squad players.
Just an Irish thought
collie, I know you’re a cool dude, so I can’t even imagine I told you off twice, haha, I mean I feel so sorry, can’t remember any of that since I’m here just about everyday back and forthing with just about everybody. Love you foreigners and I will never forget the game of American Football originally derived from rugby, probably what you used to play in Ireland when you were a kid, and maybe even now? I have more respect for anyone who is a true Bronco fan outside of this country than anyone in Denver, that takes some dedication! Keep it up lad!
Just a thought,Dareus,Casey Matthews,Black….
I would be happy with Dareus, Fairly, Bowers, or Miller in the 1st round. I think they will all pan out if they stay healthy and out of trouble. Hope we don’t trade the pick. If we do, at least stay top 10 in order to draft premium talent for the DL. If we draft a DT at 2 then the rest of the draft should go DE, LB, SS or FS, TE, OL, RB. Since we can’t stop the run, solidify the DL then continue to LB and DB. We could use insurance in the form of DeAngelo Williams (fingers crossed) or a draft pick at RB. A pass catching tight end needs to be target in FA or the draft as well. If we could get dareus then trade up and also nab fairley or jj watt i would be stoked..maybe cameron jordan?