Make or Break for '09 Draft

Rookies are generally given a three-year grace period to produce, mature and prove that they can be considered viable NFL players. Of course, there are always going to be outliers like Adrian Peterson and Sam Bradford who walk in on day-one and look like they've been playing in the League for years.

Unfortunately, during Josh McDaniels' disastrous two-year stint in Denver, none of his draft picks were comparable to Peterson or Bradford. Regardless of what McDaniels did right or wrong (emphasis on wrong), this is inevitably the year where judgements will be levied on the draft class of '09.

The players taken in McDaniels' first draft were as follows: Knowshon Moreno (12 overall), Robert Ayers (18), Alphonso Smith (37), Darcel McBath (48), Richard Quinn (64), David Bruton (114), Seth Olsen (132), Kenny McKinley (141), Tom Brandstater (174) and Blake Schlueter (225).

This is going to be rough...

Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers are the two most scrutinized of the bunch, as all first-rounders are and should be.

They have both had injury issues in both of their professional seasons, and they each have problems exclusive to them. Moreno has fumbled seven times in his career (losing six of them), has only scored 12 rushing touchdowns and doesn't have the breakaway speed preferred in a starting back. This is evident by his career long rush of 47 yards. Luckily, fumbling can be cured (see Tiki Barber), speed can be worked on and the change in philosophy from McDaniels' pass-happy offense to John Fox's ground and pound scheme should increase statistical production. And from all accounts from local Denver media, Moreno has slimmed down by 15 lbs. and seems more serious about football, specifically by running sprints on the side by himself during drills he is not involved in. His current grade probably stands at around a C+ because he has shown potential but has yet to prove anything.

The 2011 football season will define Knowshon Moreno's career and will either eliminate or perpetuate the "Bust" label that has occasionally been used to describe him.

Robert Ayers is an interesting case, specifically because of the move from defensive end in a traditional 4-3 to an outside linebacker in a 3-4 back to DE this year. As a linebacker in his first two years, Ayers struggled with pass coverage and with quarterback pressure. He has shown proficiency in tackling as well as containing run plays by not allowing them to stretch past him and along the sideline. Being switched back to his natural position (and possibly back to number 91, which he wore in college) should be just what Ayers needs to show the extent of what he can do at the pro level. It is doubtful that quarterback pressure will be a strong point for him, regardless of where he lines up, but that is part of the reason EFX (Elway, Fox and Xanders) drafted Von Miller out of Texas A&M. There is an argument here that since Ayers is moving back to defensive end he should be given another year before being fully evaluated.While that is a reasonable point, if he can't seem to pull it together at his natural position, the Broncosmight as well replace him with Miller and work on the linebacking corps.

At this point, Ayers deserves a C- and, like Moreno, needs to put together a solid year or he will be doomed to live in the immense, busted shadow of Jarvis Moss.

Although it might be an unfair judgement, Alphonso Smith gets an F for his time in Denver, and his future evaluation will likely be conducted by Detroit's media and fans.

Darcel McBath and David Bruton can be evaluated together. They have both been injury prone (that seems to be the theme of 2009's rookie Broncos), they have both been no more than special teams players and neither have lived up to expectations. It seemed they were set to eventually replace an aging Ronaldo Hill and Brian Dawkinsbut both veterans held the pups off the past two years, Hill has since been released and the 2011 draft class brought in another pair of safeties, including likely starter Rahim Moore. If nothing changes with McBath or Bruton, they will either be perpetual special teams players or waived. McBath gets a C- with Bruton getting a C, edging McBath because he has had more game experience.

Richard Quinn has somehow kept a spot on the roster, even with the revolving door at tight end being more evident than ever this year with the drafting of two tight ends and signings of several more. It seems that Quinn would be better suited as an athletic tackle or as a purely blocking tight end only used in short yardage situations. It will be interesting to see how he is utilized in Fox's offense, or if he will even make the final roster. As with everyone else, this is a make or break year for his career. Quinn receives a C- due to his lack of presence on the team.

An evaluation of Kenny McKinley would be incomplete and unethical due to his untimely and unfortunate suicide. He showed promise as a sure-handed and speedy wide receiver but an injury, financial issues and apparent depression caused a downward spiral that led to his death.

As for Seth Olsen, Tom Brandstater and Blake Schlueter, their times spent in Denver were short and unnoticeable. Their grades would be incomplete and better served being conducted by their respective teams.

Hopefully, the appraisals of subsequent draft classes don't leave Broncos fans as downtrodden as this one did. But from the view of someone looking through the prism of optimism, "it can't get much worse," "there's nowhere to go but up" and (fill-in with other nonsensical cliches of your choice).