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Going into the draft Denver has two glaring needs that hasn’t been address in Free Agency Defensive Tackle and Running Back. While having a capable backup to the aging free agency is high on the list of wants Denver has a dire need for two starting positions at Defensive Tackle. In the last 6 drafts Denver has yielded only three defensive starters currently on their roster (OLBs/DE Dumervil, and Miller, and DE Robert Ayers). Of all of the positions covered by free agent signings non were of the Defensive Tackle variety. Denver is now in desperation mode and if they have any hope of defending the run better they must get some quality talent in the two starting DT spots.
State of the Roster – Defensive Tackle
Below is a list of the current Defensive Tackles on Denver’s roster.
Jarmon, Jeremy
|
DT
|
3
|
|
98
|
McBean, Ryan
|
DT
|
4
|
93
|
Siliga, Sealver
|
DT
|
R
|
96
|
Unrein, Mitch
|
DT
|
1
|
99
|
Vickerson, Kevin
|
DT
|
6
|
94
|
Warren, Ty
|
DT
|
9
|
Possible starters first game - Ty Warren, Kevin Vickerson
Other possible rotational players -Urein, Sealver, Jarmon
Suspended or free agent - McBean, Thomas
Truly Denver has no starting caliber DT on its roster . They really have three backup or rotational guys and then a bunch of practice squad players. Marcus Thomas is currently a free agent. The fact that no team has signed him indicates his starting level perception from the rest of the league. Ryan McBean the other part time starter from last year is suspended for the first six games of the season. Ty Warren is a possibility, but a nine year vet that was out all last season on a triecpt injury following a hip and ankle injury doesn’t pose well for a starting defensive tackle. Denver had made no effort to sign a DT free agent. Denver is clearly looking to the draft. However, they really are looking for two not one DT.
Draft Strategy – Take two DTs in the top two rounds
Prospects
Its looks like there are 7 top end defensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft making it a very deep year for DT.
Player
|
ESPN
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Walterfootball.com
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Draftnasty.com
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Mike Mayock
|
Avg
|
Poe, Dantari
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
1.5
|
Brockers, Michael
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
2.25
|
Cox, Fletcher
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2.25
|
Reyes, Kendall
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
5
|
4.75
|
Still, Devon
|
6
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
Worthy, Jerel
|
4
|
7
|
6
|
4
|
5.25
|
Thompson, Brandon
|
7
|
6
|
8
|
6
|
6.75
|
Why waiting until later rounds doesn’t work – Really Denver needs two starters. Yes we all can dream up a late round draft pick or undrafted free agent that ended up being a pro bowler. I wouldn’t bet on that though. Looking at the past 6 drafts Denver hasn’t drafted a single starter in rounds 5 through 7. They have a handful of backups. By the time rounds three and four roll around the top 64 players are already gone and likely any of the big seven.
Trade Partners - Denver could sit back and wait to see who falls to them at the end of the first and second round. Likely only Brandon Thompson would possibly make it to pick number 52. Denver must trade up from their second pick to take a second defensive tackle. Denver will likely have to give up their second pick to move up and a pick for next year. Without giving up next year’s first round pick I would imagine this years and next year’s second and this year’s fourth.
An agressive move to take to in the first is a possibilty, or Denver could wait to take a DT in the second round. Below I explore the idea of trading up to take a another DT in the first. Mainly because it is more exciting and fun to speculate on.
Value of Denver’s current picks
2nd round – 25th (330 points)
3rd round – 25th (145 points)
4th round – 13th (76 points) , 25th (52 points)
Proposed trade of picks to move into first round 2012. When Denver moved back into the fisrt round to take Tim Tebow they traded their second, third, and fourth pick. In order to make up for the third round pick I am having Denver trade a fourth this year and a second next year.
788 points – 2012 second and both fourths, and 2013 second
First Round Trade Partners
#21 – Cincinnati – (800) This is Cincy’s second pick.
#22 – Cleveland Browns (780) -- This is Cleveland’s second pick. They are so horrible that they need to add talent in a bad way.
#27 – New England (680) – New England always is looking to deal out of the first round
#31 – New England (600) – The pats have a second pick as well
Plausible Draft with this strategy
Denver Trades with Cleveland for 22nd pick - Takes Fletcher Cox
Denver’s own 25th pick in the first round – Takes Devon Still
Denver still has their Third round pick and takes the best RB or Linebacker who ever is rated higher.
Both of these players are quick and athletic and get into the backfield. If Denver pulls something like this off they will have the makings of a dominant pass rush and fornt line for years to come.
Fletcher Cox Highlight
Devon
Still Highlight (may want to turn the music down or off. Good highlight reel though)