My take on the Offseason: WR

I love Eddie Royal.  He is such a class act, and he's fun to watch.  Something happened last year, and Royal wasn't very productive as a wide receiver.  I can't say exactly what happened, but I can say that is was very disappointing.  But in my opinion, Eddie can overcome whatever it is that is holding him back.  McDaniels has said that he wants to get Royal the ball more, and that for me is exciting to hear.  Next year, I am looking for him to be much more productive than last year, and earn his first pro bowl.  Eddie Royal is a pretty dang good kick/punt returner, but I think he should no longer play those positions.  He's going to have to focus this year on being a receiver, and only that.  A lot of people are saying ER should play in the slot.  I agree, but I think him being on the outside is not an impossibility.  Before this season, Champ Bailey compared Eddie to Steve Smith of the Panthers.  When someone asked, "how about Santana Moss?" he replied saying no, that Royal was stronger than Moss.  If he can break through press coverage, I think our little receiver could be a great one.

Now onto one of the most talked about subjects for a looong time.  Brandon Marshall.  There are those who think he must be traded, and those that think he should be kept.  I happen to be on the "trade him" side.  I think he is too much of a liability off the field.  McDaniels wants a team full of team-first players, and Marshall doesn't really fit that.  Him quitting near the end of the season really sealed the deal for me.  The guy just can't go a whole year without getting in some kind of trouble.  IMO, Marshall wouldn't be as big of a loss as some think.  No matter what, if we trade Marshall, the media is gonna give a ton of s**t.  But I believe that we can still effectively pass the ball, spreading it more.  I think we should draft at least one wide receiver in the draft, and our receivers could be fine.  Marshall will say all the right things, because if he doesn't , he's just hurting his chances of getting a big contract.  

Free Agency

Steve Breaston is a solid receiver, and would be a good pickup for the Broncos.  A possibility is he and Jabar Gaffney on the outside with Royal in the slot.  The problem is that he is a restricted free agent, so the Cards may counter our offers to keep Breaston.

Jason Avant is another solid free agent.  Same thing as Breaston, he's a restricted free agent.

NFL Draft

Like I said, I think we should draft at least one wide receiver in this draft.  This draft has some pretty good receivers, so it's not a bad idea for Denver to get a couple.

Dez Bryant is the best receiver in the 2010 draft.  I like the guy because he has good hands, is a deep threat, and is great after the catch.  If we were to draft him at 10/11 (if McClain is gone), I would not be upset at all.  I think he has a great future in the NFL. Projection: 1st round

Brandon LaFell, on the other hand, does have that breakaway speed.  He's a big receiver (6'3", 210 lbs), and if he can work on his route-running, he could be a great receiver.  Projection: 1st Round

Arrelious Benn is more of a possession receiver.  He's done pretty well, except he hasn't gotten many touchdowns (2 in 2007, 3 in 2008, 2 again in 2009).  He also lacks breakaway speed, which is probably something important to us, since we need a deep threat.  I like Benn, but not for the Broncos.  Projection: 1st-2nd Round

Mardy Gilyard did a great job at the Senior Bowl.  He's a very explosive receiver who is very quick in and out of his breaks.  Wouldn't be a horrible choice for the Broncos, but as you'll see later, I'm doubting it. Projection: 1st-2nd Rounder

One of my favorite WRs in the draft is Demaryius Thomas.  He is a deep threat, at 6'3", 230 lbs, but he is still pretty fast.  I feel like he would fit well with the Broncos, and he fills a need.  Projection: 2nd Round

Jordan Shipley is another guy I like.  He runs crisp, clean routes and has good hands as well. He can make guys miss and is pretty fast.  Interesting propect McXanders better be looking at.  Projection: 2nd Round

I've seen quite a few mock with the Broncos getting Damian Williams.  I'm not exactly against it.  The guy runs great routes, has great hands, and he catches the ball at it's highest point.  His problem is really he isn't physical enough.  He sometimes has trouble with press coverage, and is an inconsistent blocker.  Projection: 2nd Round

Jacoby Ford is interesting.  Apparently the Broncos were talking to Ford quite a bit before the Senior Bowl.  I like the guy, watching him he just looks like an NFL receiver.  Extremely fast, once running a 4.126 40, and being a track star.  Most track stars that go into football aren't that great, whether at catching or route running, etc.  But Jacoby can play.  He may be a little short at 5'9", but he doesn't play like it.  He is a huge threat, on a screen, going deep, returning kicks.  I hope the Broncos keep talking to him. Projection: 2nd Round

Dezmon Briscoe could develop into a WR that dominates smaller CBs.  He has good size at 6'3", 200 lbs.  He should be a solid receiver right away. Projection: 2nd round

Eric Decker will catch anything you throw at him.  He has great hands, and good size, and makes great adjustments to the ball when it's in the air.  He's a pretty good route runner as well.  I am a little biased, because I am a Gophers fan, but Decker is a pretty dang good receiver.  Projection: 3rd Round

Then we got Blair White.  He's a hard worker and a leader (I know someone who likes those traits...). He has great hands, and he knows how to get open.  Sounds like a WR I would like on my team.  Projection: 3rd-4th Round

Riley Cooper is a very fast receiver, and was Tim Tebow's top target.  Solid pick for what round he may be in.  Projection: 4th-5th Round

Shay Hodge is a solid receiver, who will make the tough catches over the middle.  Adjusts to poorly thrown balls well.  Projection: 4th-5th Round