NFL Draft: Second Primaries

by papigrande on Feb 25, 2009 8:02 PM MST Comment 38 comments

The Combine is done and the final stretch of Draftivus is about to take place. The anticipation for the Final Ceremony is palpable. Just remember not to drink the punch. :)

If you recall, a few weeks ago, I did a poll regarding who Broncos Nation wants in the first round. While the quantity of responses wasn't as high as I'd hoped it would be, 141 of you did respond, and I think we got the general feel for who Broncos Nation is pulling for. The results:

Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC was the overwhelming favorite, garnering 43% of the votes. After him, 18% of people wished to trade down, but no one specified in the comments who they wanted us to get. Knowshon Moreno and BJ Raji competed hotly for third, earning 15% and 14% of the voted, respectively. Tyson Jackson, Malcolm Jenkins, and Brian Cushing finished well off the pace. One person wished to trade up, but did not specify who he wanted to trade up for...

The top three guys in the last poll, as well as the trade options, are who I'm going to roll with in this second poll. If you want a guy I haven't put on here, post a comment stating that you want him and get it approved by one other person.

Here's all the information you could possibly want on these three prospects. Walter Football has all things Combine covered, and you can view all the results and analysis there. MHR has player profiles on the top three- you can view them here: Moreno, Maualuga, Raji. Go read all this and the VOTE! It's the patriotic thing to do, after all.

I've got two more polls, one of which will be next week after the first round of free agency is over and our needs are clearer. The last poll will take place right before the draft.

Poll

Who do you want the Broncos to draft in the first round?

Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

41 votes

B.J. Raji, DT, BC

37 votes

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

12 votes

Trade down for.... (Specify in the comments)

28 votes

Trade up for.... (Specify in the comments)

1 votes

119 votes | Poll has closed

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

1 recs | Comment 38 comments

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Comments

When do I get my free money? :)

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Feb 25, 2009 8:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I mean, I voted and all...

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Feb 25, 2009 8:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Trade Down

I voted to trade down, hopefully with Detroit at number 20, in order to pick up a LB, Cushing would be a steal if he is still on the board, but if not then James Laurinaitis would be a good pickup. Then we would have an extra pick in the second to grab a corner/safety in addition to a DT. With all the cuts on defense, we need bodies. And with the way our defense played last year, any warm bodies would be an improvement. :) I’ve seen High School teams tackle better.

by BroncoFanInLakewood on Feb 25, 2009 9:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I would love to trade down if bj isnt there but if we cant then what?

If our staff thinks rey is the guy he is suppose to be then i wouldnt hessitate, but cant help but have second thoughts when i hear mayoock talking about how he might not be worth a furst round pick period. I guy i am very curious ab out is Tyson jackson i think he is pretty good bet. maybe a guy that can kinda be like seymour for us. Also i would be interested in picking up one of the top center/guard prospects in the second. Everybody talks about moreno, but i think a big road grader coulad have a simular effect regardeless of who has the rock. Not to mention its a safer pick and much lesss prone to injuries. NO NO MORENO

by BryGoodland on Feb 25, 2009 9:49 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Trade Down.

Get Moreno.

by ejruiz on Feb 25, 2009 10:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

B.J. Raji

If Raji is there we are required to take him. He is the best player for the biggest hole we have on the team. I doubt he will be there. If we can not finagle to trade back for a later pick then for me it is the best ILB and I still think that is Rey Rey.

All I can hope for is to have two rookie of the year candidates again… but this year on Defense. Maybe even 3 or 4 candidates. But another draft like last year is going to make us a lot better team.

My image is the Circa 1960-’61 Broncos home uniform sock. Some what folk lore to me ... but referred to as the clown sock by my Dad.

by YellowStoneBronco on Feb 25, 2009 11:18 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Raji

If we are serious about a 3-4 or a hybrid, NT is the biggest hole. Unless we do something in FA or by trade, Raji or anyone better than him at that position is my first pick. If he is not there, trade down to pick up Brace, Hood, Jerry or Taylor. Use the extra pick for a Safety, CB or LB – or RB.

by Blackknigh on Feb 25, 2009 11:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Coin Block!

Moreno Plz.

I am Jack's unbridled optimism.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Feb 26, 2009 12:01 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I can't decide between cushing and maualuga

i love rey but i also want to start larsen i could move dj outside but i also want to start woodyard and we cant relie on boss at all so cushing would be nice but so would rey because we really dont have any ilb deph i voted for rey because cushing didnt make it and i dont think he will be there if we trade down raji’s motivation is a huge concern for me much like shaun rodgers and sometimes when i watched rey play i got flashes of webster but cushing has all of those injuries im so confused if i had to pick now my defence would be chung barret unknown champ cushing larsen dj ww canty watson (taylor in 4-3) thomas for now

by broncofan91 on Feb 26, 2009 3:22 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

any questions?

by broncofan91 on Feb 26, 2009 3:23 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

None of the above players ! No trading up no tradeing down !

  Just straight up draft Arron Maybin OLB Penn State Sometimes the less popular
  player / or pick turns out to be a steal .

by broncosfaninphilly on Feb 26, 2009 4:55 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Dude is undersized AND slow

and lacks experience.

I am Jack's unbridled optimism.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Feb 26, 2009 5:24 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

That comment fits the broncos whole defensive front line !

This guy cant be any worse pal….

by broncosfaninphilly on Feb 27, 2009 4:31 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

It could be worse, sure.

We could keep wasting draft picks on guys with red flags all over him.

I am Jack's unbridled optimism.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Feb 27, 2009 9:03 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

REY REY

I think the pick has to be Rey M. I am not letting the combine affect my decision. I will let the tape of him in college do the talking. He hits you, you go down, and hurt when you get up. He is a playmaker and will bring the nastiness we need back to our defense. I think he is one of those rare talents you do not see two often, allthough there is another linebacker in the draft that I feel the same way about, in Aaron Curry, and it looks like we will be seeing him often if the chiefs draft him. We definately should not trade up, it would be to costly, and trading down would be ok as long as Raji or Rey M were not there. There are decent linebackers in the draft we can get later in the first round but not as good as Rey M. Anyone agree or disagree

by Tomeboy58801 on Feb 26, 2009 6:26 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

The fact that he came into the senior Bowl AND the combine out of shape and under prepared...

are MAJOR red flags. The 2 biggest interviews of your life, and you are not ready.
He appears not real sharp in interviews, and not well versed in answering questions and dealing with the media.
I have some major concerns.
Rey rey could drop into the 20’s my friends IMO>

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 26, 2009 6:52 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

i thought he had a great senior bowl

game that is

by purplesocks on Feb 26, 2009 2:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

He was decent...

But not anything like at USC.
This was a game I thought he could dominate.
I just dont like his mind set to come into the combine out of shape….reeks of unprofessionalism!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 26, 2009 6:49 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

1 of these 3 players at 12

Curry, Orakapo, or Raji.
The problem is, its unlikely any of those guys are going to still be on the board at our pick. I have SERIOUS issues with Rey. (1) He isn’t a 3 down linebacker because he struggles in coverage. (2) He would MUCH rather blow somebody up than wrap up and make the tackle and is prone to over-pursuing. (3) His condition at the combine is my third red flag.

I would TRY to trade down and pick up an additional pick in the 2nd or 3rd. Lauranitis is the guy I can’t get out of my head. I dont think he’s going to be a superstar, but I think he can be an everydown back that can be relied upon for several year. And thats all I’m asking for from a 1st round pick.

by Kdo09 on Feb 26, 2009 7:25 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Agree On Lauranitis

by BroncoFanInLakewood on Feb 26, 2009 8:27 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Lets skip rey

What about a guy like jasper brinkly in the 3rd or 4th. He ran faster then rey or JL in the forty. He also looked like a complete animal maybe more then rey before his knee injury. The fact that he had a solid season in 08 and ran a 4.72 at the combine makes me pretty optimistic he can return to form. Anybody here seen him play much he intrigues me a lot?

by BryGoodland on Feb 26, 2009 8:34 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Love him.

May not be a stay, but can definitely be a force on a defense. What else do you wanna know?

I am Jack's unbridled optimism.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Feb 26, 2009 8:35 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Stud*

Wtf was I thinking.

I am Jack's unbridled optimism.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Feb 26, 2009 8:39 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

This was my overview of him

for the ILB “fit” rnakings (i.e. how well I think they fit what Denver is trying to do now)

Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina: I really love this prospect, and I think Denver should take a long, hard look at him. He is a prototype for the 3-4, at 6’2", 260lbs, and he brings more than adequate physicality with those measurables. After an early transfer from a military college, he managed amazing production as a sophomore only to lose his entire junior season torn ACL injury. He managed to return partway through the 2008 campaign, but couldn’t duplicate his earlier production. He isn’t really a coverage backer, but he can drop back, with decent feet. He needs to work on his hand placement and possibly include some explosiveness training in any rehab he does. Watch for his “jump” scores at his pro day to see if he is getting back to his sophomore levels in these areas. At his sophomore levels of production, he could be a three star prospect. As it is he needs to check out medically. One star for a bundle of possibility and potential.

I graded him out at 1-star, which is still better than 0-stars, but I am guessing that Denver will have their eyes on better all around packages at other positions. Also, to decide which round these guys might go in I average the big threee, Scott Wright, Chad Reuter, and Walterfootball. That gave me round #7 for Brinkley.

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Feb 26, 2009 9:43 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, when he was brought up by Ted or Styg he looks like a player we could get cheap with MAD upside!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 26, 2009 10:09 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Please, no Rey Rey

Raji (iffy)
Moreno (potential superstar)
others that might slip …
or best yet, trade down. Get Brace, Chung, and a LB in late 1st early 2nd.

by MTBroncoFan on Feb 26, 2009 9:14 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Draft: Second P

I voted to trade down, if Raji, Orakpo and Curry are gone. Trade with Detroit for their 20th, and their first pick in the 2nd round. We may be lucky enough to get two of the three …Hood, Matthews or Cushing.

by J1S on Feb 26, 2009 9:43 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I like the thought.

by MTBroncoFan on Feb 26, 2009 5:01 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

This poll's a hell of a lot closer than the last one.

I still say Maualuga. But here’s my dream scenario. If all the planets line up right, the Chargers will cut LaDanian Tomlinson. We will sign him to a 3 year, $24 million contract and eat the Chargers souls. Then, in the draft, Andre Smith will fall to us. Knowing that Washington will likely eat him up at #13, Philadelphia will foolishly trade us their 21st and 28th overall picks for our 12 and a 5th rounder (the first one.) Here’s how I see it going down after that.

1-a: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC. Surprised? Well, his stock is supposed to be falling. If he doesn’t fall to us, then I think we should look at Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State. A freak athlete, he could be our Shawne Merriman.
1-b: Sean Smith, S/CB, Utah. The top safety in the draft. We couldn’t go wrong with him here.
2: Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DE, Missouri. Will be a dominant 3-4 DE for us alongside Marcus Thomas.
3: Jasper Brinkley, ILB, South Carolina. See what Styg wrote above.
4: Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman
5: Terrance Taylor, DT, Michigan
6: David Johnson, QB, Tulsa. The next Gary Kubiak.
7-a: Dallas Reynolds, C, BYU. Larger frame than what we usually see in a C, but possesses all the intangibles to lead an O-line.
7-b: Wopamo Osaisai, CB, Stanford.

OK, I've started having dreams about the draft. Is that bad? A couple of weeks ago, I dreamed that we traded down to the #18 pick and drafted Chris Wells. (Zappa was pissed off.) Then last night I dreamed that we passed on Knowshon Moreno to get Maualuga, and Knowshon went to the Chargers. (Zappa was pissed off again.) Is it worse that I'm dreaming about the draft, or that I'm dreaming about Zappa?

by papigrande on Feb 26, 2009 12:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't take LDT

Especially not at 8 million a year. He might be nearing the nfl finish line – he did finish the past two years injuried, and he started the 2008 season injured as well. Unfortunately, he also has developed the Rock Star habit of posting his unhappinesses in the local paper – too few carries, not the right scheme, etc. I love what he’s done to date, but I suspect that he’s nearly done.

Hillis in '09

by Emmett Smith on Feb 26, 2009 3:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

agreed on all counts

He should finish with the Chargers. I suspect they’d pay him more than anyone else, anyway, even if he does restructure.

by CoastalBronco on Feb 26, 2009 3:55 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know bear

can you imagine a pissed off LDT signing a reasonable offersheet from the Broncos, even one that was just a one or two year leveraging contract?

I wouldn’t want to be the Chargers, if LDT was lining up against me….

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Feb 26, 2009 6:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Rey

The hard hitting and the attitude is what we’ve missed since Al Wilson. We need that back. I like Raji too. Curry and Orakpo would be great but more than likely won’t be there at our pick. Everett Brown is an option as is Cushing (good athelete). Kind of fun though with new coaches and new scouts, not so predictable.

by mjdbronco on Feb 26, 2009 4:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Broncos definitely miss Al

but I’m not convinced Rey Rey is the answer. Reminds me more of Seau than of Wilson. Seau to me was just a much better Webster, could really blow up plays, but consistently missed tackles and ran himself out of plays too. Wilson was a rock.

Let the Chargers grab Rey Rey, would be fun to see ‘Rey Rey is Gay Gay’ signs in the stands. Seems like he’d be a fit for Phyllis and his Merry men.

by MTBroncoFan on Feb 26, 2009 5:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Rivers/LT love affair maybe over

there is all ready a lot of gay gay on the chargers (the infamous shower scene). I think Malaluga would be a good pick but maybe not the best pick.

by mjdbronco on Feb 26, 2009 5:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I think he'll be a solid player, he's just not a #12 IMO

by MTBroncoFan on Feb 26, 2009 5:36 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe not

DL should be our main priority, but if raji isn’t available, maybe trading down is a good idea? I like Igor or Canty in FA maybe Ron Brace in 2nd or a trade down first. Marcus Thomas could play end in 3-4 i hope.

by mjdbronco on Feb 26, 2009 5:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Trade down if possible.

Hopefully move back to early 20s and pick up a 2nd rounder. Three guys instead of two and late first and second rounders are better values than top half of the first guys. Target guys like Cushing, Laurainitis, William Moore, Delmas,Rashad Johnson, English, and Ron Brace in late first and second rounds.

by jaffe28 on Feb 27, 2009 10:07 AM MST reply actions 0 recs