The draft is upon us. As there is every year, there has been plenty of talk about what will happen. It is fun to wonder what will happen. It is fun to consider the many scenarios that could unfold for every team.
I always try to keep two main things in mind when trying to guess what any given team might do.
1 – NO ONE KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN UNTIL IT HAPPENS. I know, no kidding. But with so many people offering their opinions, one can easily think that any one of them actually knows what will transpire.
The fact is, we don’t know. We can analyze the needs a team has. We can offer some educated guesses about what might happen. But to paraphrase Yogi Berra, we don’t know until we know. I like it that way.
2 – WE CAN’T REALLY TRUST WHAT FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL OR COACHES SAY LEADING UP TO THE DRAFT. If we need a current example, Browns’ President Mike Holmgren offered one last week. Again to paraphrase, Holmgren said he says things before the draft to suit the purposes he has. What he says may or may not be true.
That’s part of the chess game the draft is and it is another factor that makes the whole event so interesting to me.
3 – EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. It always seems to happen. In recent years, we have seen the Broncos position themselves to draft Jay Cutler. Last year, they took Knowshon Moreno twelfth overall when few people thought they would draft a running back that high. Whatever you think the script is, get ready to see it be something completely different.
Last Friday (April 16), Broncos’ head coach Josh McDaniels made some interesting comments on a number of topics, but I’m not sure exactly what to believe.
The Broncos have the 11th selection in the first round. Coach McDaniels said, as of Friday, the team has not talked to any teams about moving up in the draft.
“We’ll be flexible and we’ll listen but the odds would be in favor of us going backwards probably because the most opportunity lies there.”
That leads me to how I think the first round will go for the Broncos.
1 – IF THEY CAN, THE BRONCOS WILL TRADE DOWN AND TAKE FLORIDA CENTER MAURKICE POUNCEY IN THE FIRST ROUND. According to many people who evaluate prospects, Pouncey has the ability to start in his first year. The Broncos have a glaring need at the center position and Pouncey would fill it.
The tempting situation for the Broncos would be if Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain is available when they pick eleventh, assuming the Broncos haven’t moved up already. If McClain is there, I could see the Broncos taking him. He, too, would fill a need for a playmaker on defense.
2 – THE BRONCOS WILL NOT TAKE OKLAHOMA STATE WR DEZ BRYANT IN THE FIRST ROUND. Coach McDaniels spoke glowingly about Bryant last week but taking a wide receiver in the first round doesn’t add up to me. Yes, the Broncos need to upgrade this position. But this seems to be a position of depth in this draft and the Broncos have two second round picks.
Thankfully, it is about time to stop talking and starting picking. I know many of you have shared your thoughts on what you think the Broncos will do in the draft. Keep the comments coming.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
Thanks bf30,now I don’t have to watch those idiots on NFL network for 2 hours.
weeks 2-6 look the roughest:
Indy
@ Tenn
@ Ravens
Jets
Chargers went 13-3 last year,and have the 4th easiest schedule in the NFL,that bites.I’ts like they want them to win the West,even before the season starts.
On the road again,for the 6th year in a row,we have to start the season out on the road(NFL high).3 road games in a row 1st time since 1997.
But I ain’t griping,still beats last years schedule.
The beginning of the schedule will be tough. We haven’t been able to beat Jacksonville recently, so starting at Jacksonville is not ideal. And the Colts early in the schedule, too. Hopefully Manning has early troubles again. After the first quarter, I think the difficulty of schedule lowers. We end pretty well, except for San Diego. I hate playing them the last week.
FM at least it’s at Invesco.
If I understand it right (I might not) weeks 11-17,the Sunday games are subject to become night games,so we could actually get 1 or 2 more night games,someone correct me if I’m wrong.
so what are evryone’s predictions for next years team? I know its way to early to know but my heart is telling me 11-5 or 10-6. Losses to Colts, Jets, Chargers (maybe twice), Titans, Ravens. If so, I can see us in the playoffs next year
the only difference between our schedule and SD’s is that we play Balt and Jets and SD plays NE and Cincy.
Who cares about the schedule, really? Every season is new and every NFL team has a shot to at winning the SB. The only reason a schedule should be important is so we can figure out what games were going to and that’s it. I don’t care who, when or where we play, my boys the DENVER BRONCOS should win that game.
Raiders play Steelers and Dolphins (Marshall still gets to play against the hated Raiders) KC plays Browns and Bills (they got it easy)
20is pick for trading down – Pouncey C
43 – Gerhart FB
45 – D. Thomas WR
80 – Williams OL
2nd 3rd pick for trading down in 1st round – Sergio Kindle LB
114 – D. Alexander WR
137 and 183 – best player available
What do u guys think of this mock draft?
I dont think you will get sergio Kindle in the 2nd or 3rd round he wont make it past New England in the 1st round
Derrick, if the draft happened like that, I would really like that.
I know we BETTER get help on the Oline and not just a Center,remember when Harris got hurt,how much we struggled.We need to draft a Center and some depth.We need someone that can play RT/RG,in case we need them.Unless Hotchstein,Olsen,and Polumbus have gotten a helluva lot better than what I saw last season.
wow, just noticed that Ben Hamilton became a Seahawk,,,best of luck to him..
derrick, i like the Pouncey and 2 WR picks, but there is reason to doubt McD will take both unfortunately…
add a CB to that mock and it would be awesome
BFE, thats why I said Williams at #80 to give us some more depth at OL
KooDude, u may be right. They may just have to get the best LB available with that pick
Of course a PowerBack and a little more mobility from Orton would do wonders for our Oline too.But on the other hand we might have to pass block a little longer unless we get WR help.
McNabb wants the Redskins to sign T.O. and the Steelers picked up Leftwich. Think they are making moves to get rid of Big Ben?
I hate Denver’s schedule. Absolutely hate it. The NFL schedule makers gave us a horrible lot. The Broncos have not had a Week 1 home game since 2004. That’s ridiculous. I realize that the league is in a bind because of CBS’s afternoon coverage of tennis’s U.S. Open, but you would figure that at least every five years, Denver could open at home. I also hate the fact that we have to play in prime time for the fourth year in a row at San Diego with that as the only prime time game for Denver all season. No prime time home games in Denver? That’s dumbfounding. Finally, I hate the fact that Denver has to go to Kansas City again in December. To make matters worse, it’s part of a three week span of straight December road games.
End of scheduling rant.
Oh yeah, I also hate our Week 1 matchup. Playing at Jacksonville in Week 1? Wow. Jacksonville can’t even sellout games, and add to the fact that it will be blazing hot and humid. All Florida teams should be on the road in Week 1.
derrick all in all,don’t look to bad,but you’ll have to choose another LB,maybe LEE or Spikes,or even Angerer.
BFE, I’d take Spikes in a heartbeat. Just figured he may be gone by then
RSH at least the last game of the year is SD @ home in Dec.
derrick,Spikes stock has fallen,some say 3rd or 4th round,because of speed??? I don’t care what they say,I’ve seen the guy play plenty,don’t look slow to me.
week 1 and 13 Bears vs Lions. week 11 Bears vs Dolphins Anyone thing Cutler will have flashbacks and try to complete passes to Scheff and BMarsh in those games? You know that during pregame warm ups and after the games, they gonna talking bout the Broncos baaaaad! Oh well. They jus drinking the haterade
I dont need him to be the fastest guy on the field. I want him to be a sure tackler and a guy who can plug up running lanes. If he can do those two things, I want him
derrick I heard that.
BFE, maybe I should fax that mock draft to Xanders and McD so they dont have to think too much on Thursday. I have complete confidence in them but if I can make their night easier, why not
do it. lol
Yeah,wouldn’t hurt nothing.LOL
How about:
1st. Jared Odrick (trade down get a 3rd)
1st. Maurkice Pouncey (trade back in with a 2nd and 3rd pick, to about the 25 range)
2nd. Terrance Cody (trade next year’s first, 38ish)
2nd. Toby Gerhart (at 43)
3rd. Sean Lee
4th. Danario Alexander
5th. John Skelton (from Scheffler trade)
6th. Erik Cook
7th. Trinidon Holliday (trade pick/player to get back in only if this player is available)
Bronco, how do we end up with 2 1st round picks? We already have 2 2nd round picks, Why would we trade next years first for another 2nd to get Cody?
We dont have a 7th round pick anymore (we traded it and Scheff for Phillys 5th, originally Clevelands).
Good thing the NFL hasnt taken notice of the “decisions” in Denver…
oh, wait, scratch that…
Brutal schedule!
This has got to be one of the worst months in Denver Bronco history…(at least on this side of the monitor) and we still have the draft….
OH BOY!!!!
Mr. Rice, I give you a two thumbs up on your assessment! And mock picks!
#15 Dan Williams
#33 Taylor Mays
#45 Tim Tebow
Because we traded one 2nd and a 3rd to move back up into the 1st for Pouncey.
1st. Maurkice Pouncey (trade back in with a 2nd and 3rd pick, to about the 25 range)
Bad idea we did that last year,didn’t work out too good remember??
Sndvl, trade pick/player to get back in only if this player is available for the 7th rounder if holliday not there then don’t worry.
Time will tell, you never know.
sndvl, did I miss something? How do we end up with the #15 and #33 pick?
I am assuming trades for Sndvl
That is just one mans honest opinion! To borrow a line from a good friend- Which doesnt mean a whole heck of a lot…
McD will be unpredictable, that we can all count on!
I think we probably will go all offense and pick D players late.
That’s the only thing that is a GIMME.
Trade back with NYG for 15 and a 3rd rounder.
Trade 43 and one 3rd to STL for 33…
Its just a guess, maybe not an educated one, but you have to think like McD…uneducated! lmao just kidding dont crucify me
Trying to figure out McD is like trying to figure out when a woman’s gonna start bitchin’…LMAO
j/k before I get bashed.
youre prob right Aussie,
It might look more like Dez, some TE that should go in the 5th round and Blount…
or two WRS and a O-lineman
11: Rolando McClain
17: Maurkice Pouncey (package 43, 137, future 2nd)
45: Golden Tate or Demaryius Thomas
80: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
114: Charles Scott
183: Marc Mariani
Yeah, I know it’s sketchy, but I think San Francisco may be willing to trade down; they aren’t in very good position in the 1st. If not them, maybe Seattle because they have two 1st rounders. It will never happen, but this is my ideal draft.
I won’t guess all the picks,but I would take Williams or McClain if they are left,if not trade down get Pouncey and Spikes.
MANIAC, I like the first 4 picks of ur draft
I just got censored?