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Big D-Draft! Broncos fill holes except the biggest one
Blame it on the Green Bay Packers, I guess. In the copycat league which is the NFL,
if a team like the Packers can win a World Championship without running the ball
much, then great teams might not need too many defensive tackles to clog those
empty holes.
In looking at the Broncos 2011 Draft haul, it sure seems like that's the sentiment
Broncos personnel brass shared during the 3-day draft.
Despite a defense that ranked last in yards, points given up, and having only three
DTs on their roster named (I'm not making this up) Louis Leonard, Mitch Unrein,
and Kevin Vickerson, the Broncos decided not to draft a single DT. That's a big
dandruff head scratcher for me, especially considering it had one of the deepest
DT drafts in memory. Of the 254 players drafted, 45 were defensive linemen.
They did, however, sure up the defense adding six players using a Noah's Ark
approach: 2 outside linebackers, 2 middle linebackers, and 2 safeties. Offensively,
they grabbed 2 tight ends, and I'm guessing if they had one more pick they would
have selected an offensive linemen to go with their other lone lineman.
In fact, it was only the 3rd time in the Broncos 51-year history that they did not
draft a skill player (QB, RB or WR).
John Elway, John Fox and Brian Xanders operated a "best available player"
approach, and although they said they looked at RB and DT, there was always a
better player available at another position when it was their turn to pick. With 6
of the 9 picks going to aid a poor defense, Fox said the main focus defensively
was to "get faster."
They achieved that!
Unlike the countless useless "Winners & Losers" Draft Grades you'll read this
week, I will simply give my opinions about each pick. Besides, I always thought
grades were given out after a player's season or after you take a course -- not before.
1 (2) Von Miller, OLB, Texas A & M
I still think they should have taken Alabama DT Marcell Dareus here (just check out
my first 3 paragraphs), but Miller was considered one of three Blue Chip prospects
in this draft (Dareus and LSU corner Patrick Peterson). So it's difficult to dispute
this pick. Elway obviously saw his Chief nemesis Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in
Miller and figured he could finally have a guy who could make life miserable for
this generation's QBs on his team. If there is one negative about Miller's game it's
he's a better pass rusher than run defender. Still there's an awful lot to like about
Miller including competing with Tebow for jersey sales in the Denver area.
2 (45) Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA
The Broncos were able to trade their 36th pick for the 45th, plus a 4th and 5th
rounder, and still get their guy. Great gutsy move. In a weak safety draft, Moore is
the top valve. Fans will quickly notice two things about Moore: 1) He is a ballhawk
similar to Raven's ace Ed Reed. A very athletic kid who loves the game. Great at
anticipating and attacking receivers; 2) You won't see any Steve Atwater, Dennis
Smith or Billy Thompson-type hits from Moore. Getting physical in the box is not
his game. At 6-1, 195-pounds, it probably wouldn't hurt him to bulk up a bit.
2 (46) Orlando Franklin, OL, Miami
Franklin played left tackle at Miami, but struggled at times and could be moved
inside to guard. Along with center J.D. Walton, guard Zane Beadles, and tackle
Ryan Clady, Franklin could be a great addition to this young o-line. He plays with
a mean streak and doesn't stop till the whistle blows.
3 (67) Nate Irving, ILB, North Carolina State
At 6-1, 238-pounds, Irving is a little light for a middle linebacker so could play
outside. After starting 9 games as a sophomore, Irving missed the entire 2009
season due to injuries suffered in a car accident. He came back strong in 2010
registering 92 tackles and 7 sacks. A physical player who loves the game, Irving
is a high-motor guy that may remind fans of Al Wilson.
4 (108) Quinton Carter, SS, Oklahoma
Carter looks the part of a strong safety. At 211-pounds, he has the girth that
Moore doesn't. He also hits hard and is a good open-field tackler. Although he's
been known to take some bad angles to the ball, he's been very productive with
8 interceptions in his last 2 seasons.
4 (129) Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State
When the Broncos selected Thomas they hope they got Chargers All-Pro Antonio
Gates. Like Gates and Falcons Tony Gonzalez, Thomas also played basketball. In
fact except for playing one year in high school, Thomas waited to his senior year
at Portland State before he tried out for the football team. He not only made the
team, he was selected 1st Team All Big Sky and invited to the East-West Shrine
Game. Still, the kid has only 1 career start to his credit. For the record, I had 1
career start too . . . in high school. But just roll tape on the guy (basketball and
football) and you'll see why he's such an intriguing pick.
6 (189) Mike Mohamed, MLB, California
Mohamed is a steady, smart, consistent player. He got great experience playing
in the Pac 10. He's not super strong but he's fundamentally sound. A two-year
starter, Mohamed played a ton as a sophomore too, tallying 87 tackles. At the very
least, he should be a solid special teams contributor.
7 (204) Virgil Green, TE, Nevada
No one has a bigger grin than Elway when he flashes that trademark toothy smile.
I can only imagine his expression when he saw Green was still on the board in the
7th round. Mel Kiper had Green as the 6th best TE on his board. Pro Football
Weekly had him 4th best. So why the slide? Two years ago Green underwent
micro-fracture knee surgery and experienced swelling at the combine. Still, he
made some huge plays at Nevada and his combine measurables were off the charts,
even surpassing some of Vernon Davis's combine records. So . . . now the Broncos
have a TE who hasn't played enough football and one that may have played too much.
7 (247) Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
Although Beal played DE in college, ESPN announced he was drafted as an outside
linebacker. An effective edge pass rusher, Beal did not have a great combine -- running
a 5.1 forty. So he will probably not translate to OLB. But you can't overlook his
production at OU and, oh yeah, he was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He could
be effective as a situational pass rusher.
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