The future of the defense is a much different story than the offense.  The Denver defense is comprised entirely of guys over 30 who will be gone in two years.  The current old guys list looks like this: NT Williams(34), DE Bannan (31),  ILB Haggan (30), CB Bailey (32), CB Goodman (32), S Hill 32), S Dawkins (37).  That’s the entire secondary, and 40% of the front seven.  So seven out of eleven guys figure to be too old to be on the team.  The picture for Denver’s youth movement on defense is clear. Draft defense and draft it often. 

Thanks to McDorkels Denver has no 4th pick or 5th pick in 2011.  So the first four picks may all go to defense next year and may be repeated the year after.  A lot of the positions required for a 3-4 are not in place such as a Nose Tackle, a starting 3-4 DE, and a rush OLB opposite Doom.  So if the D switches from a 3-4 to a 4-3 than Nose Tackle won’t be an issue.  I am looking at the team, however, as it is structured now.  Many teams are switching to a 3-4 so it isn’t crazy to think the next coach will run the same base scheme.

Denver needs to draft at least six starters on defense in the next two years.  I don’t see how they spend a single first day pick on offense.

NT: Ron Fields or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via www.mancavesports.org

2011/2012 Draft Pick

Fields is a backup who has no business starting at Nose Tackle.  Jarrell Powell will likely be the first pick in the second round next year.  Even though Denver would be wise to wait they are desperate for a young NT if they are going to run a 3-4 in 2011.  I like Marcus Thomas at DE more than NT.

5-Tech LDE: Kevin Vickerson or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via www.mancavesports.org

2011/2012 Draft Pick

Vickerson and Marcus Thomas for that matter are a blip on the radar and soon will be replace by a first or second round pick in next year’s draft.  Jared Crick and Cameron Heywood come to mind as great second round choices.

5-Tech RDE: Marcus Thomas or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via www.mancavesports.org

2011/2012 Draft Pick

If only Denver could draft both Fairley and Dareus in the the first round.

DE/LOLB: Elvis Dumervile or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via nimg.sulekha.com

Doom.  Elvis is one of the lone bright spots for the future of the defense.  The guy knows how to get to the quarterback like few can.  If he could only defend the run.

DE/ROLB: Robert Ayers or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via www.mancavesports.org

2011/2012 Draft Pick

Ayers is an OK guy, but really suited for DE.  He shouldn’t be playing in a 3-4 at OLB.  Unless the defense scheme changes the guy must be replaced.  There are some really good OLB pass rush prospects this year in Robert Quinn and D’Quan Bowers and whole bunch of other guys.

ILB: DJ Williams or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via www.mancavesports.org

2011/2012 Draft Pick

DJ Williams is not a top linebacker.  Is a blue collar guys, but doesn’t make many splash plays behind the line of scrimmage and can’t get off blocks to save his life.  He has a lot of tackles, but they are down field instead of making stops.  The third round in the next two drafts should be spent on inside linebackers.

LCB: Parish Cox, Syd Quan Thopmson, or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via images.checkoutmycards.com

Cox or Thompson

Cox could be headed to jail for the rest of his life.  If he doesn’t, that’s great. If he does go to the big house than he will need to be replaced.  Squid is a decent player and can start in this league.  He had a very good rookie season.  One of these guys will start and have a future with Denver at CB.

RCB: Nate Jones or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via www.mancavesports.org

2011/2012 Draft Pick

Nate Jones isn’t a starter.  Denver may not get around to drafting his replacement until 2012, but it is coming.  Though one of the top two corners in this year’s draft could be tempting with a top 5 pick.

S: Darcel McBath or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via t3.gstatic.com

McBath

McBath is a decent player who I think needs a fair shot and could be very good in the future.  I don’t see a need to find his replacement in the next two years.

S: David Bruton or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

via www.mancavesports.org

2011/2012 Draft Pick

Bruton is a good special teams guy, but a top safety will need to be pulled in either 2011 or 2012.  More likely a vet will be signed and the 2012 draft will look back towards the secondary.  Safety/Secondary may be an issue for a while for the Broncos.

Wow I only have 3 guys with pictures.  Not good.