Broncos Draft - Round 1 - Take

by mjames82 on Apr 21, 2010 7:25 AM MDT

Obviously none of us know what's going to happen, I was off last year when I was hoping Brian Orakpo would slip to Denver in the 1st round once Tyson Jackson was gone. He did, and I thought for sure Denver would send in the pick seconds after the 11th pick was chosen last year... "with the 12th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos take Knowshon Moreno".... I thought are you kidding me!

But as the draft played out I started to see the McD/Xanders strategy. It was about guys who want to play and have strong character. Guys who McDaniels feel will not wilt under pressure. (My only caveat is I defended the decision to trade a 1st for the Phonz last year and I'm having a hard time defending that decision today. Right now, that looks like a horrible decision. He may turn out, but imagine being able to pick McClain at #11 and Dan Williams at #14... just saying what if...now onto what I would say the smart decisions are this year)

Knowing what we know now, I feel we can have a better grasp on what McD/X want to do this year. I'm sure I'll still be terribly wrong.

Option #1

Stay at #11 and pick either Dan Williams or Rolondo McClain. I can't see any other player being a good fit and value at #11 for Denver. If they like one of these two guys enough and they are available, I think they send in their pick.

Option #2

The Giants are rumored to be hot after Rolondo McClain. If the Broncos feel Sean Witherspoon is a better fit, they could trade down 4 spots to #15 and pick up extra picks and still get their LB. They did have Weatherspoon workout for them, but that could just be a smokescreen.

Option #3

Or, they could trade back with a number of teams picking in the teens that are interested in CJ Spiller or McClain. Once at #15, there are a number of teams that may be interested in moving up to #15 for Earl Thomas or Kyle Wilson including Philly at #24. It's possible Denver trades back again with Philly who has a ton of picks and hopes Maurkice Pouncey falls to them at #24. If they were able to pull this off, they may pick up 3 or 4 extra picks and land Pouncey who fills just as big of a need as any of the defenders they could pick in the 1st round. They would then likely have plenty of picks in rounds 2-4 to fill other holes on the roster.

Option #4

Same as #3 but... The Broncos would have more than enough ammo to move back into the first round if their is another player that falls to the bottom of round 1 that they like. Maybe Dez Bryant, Weatherspoon, or even Iupati who could fill in the other G spot opposite Kuper.

It's easy to speculate but we have no idea if teams will be willing to trade up with Denver, or Denver even wants to do it. But my feeling is this is a deep draft and Pouncey fills as big a need as any other, so why not trade back, pick up Pouncey and get some extra picks. Easy... Right... ;)

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

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Comments

I like how you put this together.

On option 1, you said what everyone with Pouncey on the brain keeps forgetting, if they like one of these guys(and if available) they will send in the pick. Trade down or back up to get Pouncey are essentially done. We simply won’t have the firepower to get him. Many players should be there for a possible trade down and we have exhausted pretty much all of them in our mocks, but if our guy is there(Rolando McClain) we grab him.

by Digger24 on Apr 21, 2010 8:28 AM MDT reply actions

How about just take Maurkice Pouncey at #11

by DLMyers on Apr 21, 2010 9:59 AM MDT reply actions

Terrible value, but I think that I would feel indifferent about it.

I think if we’re looking to get Pouncey we trade down with the Giants at 15 (who will be targeting McClain) so we’re right before Pittsburgh, the next team that needs a Center.

by higgyhoops12 on Apr 21, 2010 10:02 AM MDT up reply actions

NFL Drafts, just like War

NEVER go as pre-planned…
just sayin’

by topnation on Apr 21, 2010 11:11 AM MDT reply actions

I'm still going with McClain at 11 if we stay there.

by bfree2bronc on Apr 21, 2010 12:39 PM MDT reply actions

I wouldn't take Pouncey at #11.. this is why...

No center in the last decade has been taken that high. In fact, only 2 centers in the past decade have been taken in the top 25 picks, both by the Browns (Faine a few years back and last year when they took Alex Mack).
Centers rarely go in the first round. I believe a total of 4 or 5 have gone in first round period in the last decade (Faine, Mack, Spencer, Wood, and Mangold).

Nobody is taking a center at #11. That’s just too high. Denver has a lot of needs (G, C, WR, DT, DE, LB, DB) if we are honest. Not that they don’t have good players at some of those positions, but they could use help in all those areas.

If we are going to be one of the elite drafting team, then we can’t reach for players and we need to trade back when the value isn’t there in order to pick up extra players. This is a great draft to do that because the talent is so deep.

You have to be willing to pick up the next guy on your board if for some reason someone grabs Pouncey in front of us. You can’t reach for the next best C at that spot or whatever position you are targeting unless that’s the next best player on your board.

by mjames82 on Apr 21, 2010 1:01 PM MDT reply actions