Broncos draft best of the West!

If you base this draft on both the number of picks who will play and overall team impact, the Broncos easily had the the best draft weekend in their division, and as a result, I see them dominating divisional play at 6-2 or better.  Our offense will be awesome and sick!

Broncos A

It is practically a sure thing that Knowshown Moreno will be an every down back and should give the Broncos an elite running game.  I pencil him in for 1000 yds+ plus 500+ receiving yds..  As a running threat that will force our opponents to play 8 in the box, Knowshon vastly increases opportunities for our elite receiving corps.  On top of that, he will just kill secondaries as a receiver. The result will be an elite passing game even assuming average talent at QB, and Brandstater is a potential great addition there.  Moreover, the Broncos will dominate  time of possession like the '96-'98 teams, and that's the best defense of all.  As several others on this site have noted, Moreno was the best possible defensive pick at that spot!  Ayers was considered the second best defensive talent in the draft, and with his versatility, he can contribute in all situations, so he will start.  Alphonso Smith probably will start as the 5¢ corner, kickoff returner and on special teams versus punts  (see interview). In addition to his skills and production, his charisma and confidence are rare.  Darcel McBath can start as the 5¢ safety and in the deep zone.  Quinn can run block in goal line and third down short yardage right away out of the box, and as the esteemed HT notes that he may well be critical in pass protection. The free agent signings on defense are like sleeper cells waiting to attack the league!  My hunger for more size was totally sated with signings of Chris Baker and Everette Pedescleaux. Baker, though possibly an a-hole, has elite size and speed, can sack a QB and provides potential pressure on the pocket.  Baker was between 3rd and 5th big nose tackle prospect  going in to the draft.  Dicey pick? No more so than Brace would have been, and the Broncos probably drafted two or more '09 immediate starters in the second round instead of Brace.  I love Pedescleaux's size, speed and athleticism.  Apparently he has a track record of blocking kicks so he can make a contribution.  When is the last time the Broncos blocked a kick?  Add in the WR, linebacker, and DB prospects they drafted and signed as CFA, and that totals by far the best draft in the division.  Since this was first written, the wise HT pointed out the Broncos have added depth and futures at G and C, though OL was not a pressing need..

Chargers: D Let me get this right, the Dolts hope to replace pro bowler Igor Olshansky with Vaughn Martin, an obscure player at an obscure college, or in plan B, Martin will be possible heir apparent to Jamal Williams?  Not all that likely.  The Chargers needed sacks.  So Larry English replaces Merriman if he is not back, but that's a downgrade.  If Shawn Merriman is back what is English's sack production as a third down player likely to be? It won't matter cause the Broncos O-line can block them.  The Chargers did get two backups at guard, and in the secondary. To cap off their draft, they get Byrd at wide receiver who just drove into a utility pole and was in intensive care Tuesday before the draft.  Good thing they didn't need a receiver anyway. Their sexiest free agent pick up was Darryl Beckwith, who I figure is a special teamer in '09.  Having declined to 8-8 a year ago, all the Chargers did was slap a bandaid on the linbacker position, and remain static everywhere else and vulnerable overall.  You want to see a team try to cover up for an f-ed up draft, the Chargers added players at positions of need today -- from the freakin' Canadian Football Leaugue!

Raiders: F-  The second or third worst team in football in '08, the Raiders need offensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks.  They don't draft a single player at any of these positions.  The D-line need help, so they drafted Shaughnessey, a 260 pound defensive end, who is considered a developmental prospect, not explosive off the edge, and one 250 lb and one 230 lb defensive end. While these two will hopefully convert to a new position, linebacker, the Raiders probably did not draft a single starter on defense. They did draft a starter in Heyward Bey, "raw and unrefined..he may eventually develop into a force..." it has been said, but I don't think he could start anywhere else. That assures the Raiders will definitely try to pawn him off as a starter. They did get a run blocking tight end who could possibly help their running game when they get one.  Did I mention, with their second round pick, at safety, MIke Mitchell (I heard someone over the TV yell "who?"), considered an "unproductive..workout warrior?"  But they are freakin' fast in the 40 and you know how Al Davis loves to line them up and race them!  I'm sure he'll have fun.  What a joke.

Chiefs C-  The other second or third worst team in football, the Chiefs needed help on the D-line, O-line and at TE. Despite having only eight picks, the Chiefs squandered at least three of them.  One squandered pick was on a 6'3" 250 lb. 4.66 wide receiver, Jake somebody.  KC plans, maybe, someday, if they are lucky, to convert him successful NFL TE.  I say he won't start, let alone make them forget one of the greatest ever.  The other two wasted picks were  a kicker and a FB who won't see the field often, if at all.  Not too much call for FB's these days.  While I'd like to have Tyson Jackson on my team and I think he'll start, with the third freakin' pick, c'mon, you've got to be kidding!  I also think McGee could play a little in the DL rotation and this willl give the Chefs line a nice mix of youth, more youth, inexperience, and less experience.  Seriously, the Chefs don't have a d-lineman with more than 3 yrs. in the league.  None of this willl make much difference anyway against the Broncos anyway, who reject pass rushes as well as anyone.  The CB KC drafted, Washington, is not fleet, has to learn the position and get this "may have been better served  to stay in school because he is unpolished."  No, he is not going to be on the field at all to help shut down B-Marsh & Co..  They did not get the OT they desperately needed but instead settled for future depth with a "swing tackle" who will have little impact in '09.  Two guys who will see playing time, one starter.  Bad draft!