FanPost

Day 3 prospects - My take on what Denver will try to accomplish: Part 1


This is a series of posts regarding what I do wish the Broncos to accomplish in Day 3 of the 2013 Draft.

My take is more related with getting some depth at position that could become a need after the 2013 season, because of free agency.

In fact two offensive linemen will be free agents (C Walton and G Beadles) a really good WR (Decker), one of the most underrated linebacker in football (Woodyard) and the newly promoted starting DE (Ayers).

Granted that Denver already took care of the running back (Moreno and McGahee will be free agents, even though I don’t expect both on them to be on the final 53 men roster) and at CB (Rodgers-Cromartie essentially one year deal and Carter ERFA, plus Harris RFA), the following are the best player at position the Broncos will surely look at, like they did in Day 3 of past drafts.

PART 1 - Defensive Ends:

My take: I’m quite sure Denver will heavily pursue one between Freeney and Abraham, being the second the real dark horse IMO (because he could be hungry for winning his first ring, meanwhile Freeney already got one) and could also probably look for a 2-3 M/1 year deal (which the Broncos could offer him) instead of 10 – 12M/2-3 years deal seek by Freeney.

This said here’s the list of DE prospects still available that could interest the Broncos:

William Gholston, Michigan State, 6’6’’, 278 lbs, Jr: I was impressed by his video. He was projected by media guys to go off the board between round 3 and 4. I had a 2nd round on him from my own Broncos perspective. He looks like a natural leader and has a non-stop motor on the field. To get him, the Broncos could not wait until the 5th round, he could be already gone by the time Denver select in the 4th round.

Cornelius Washington, Georgia, 6’4’’, 264 lbs, rSr: to me it’s incredible he’s still on the board. He has to carry with him some kind of red flag. Media people ranked him as a 2nd – 3rd round guy. I had a pure 2nd round on him. He’s an athletic pass rusher that could get to the QB in a number of ways. He could be one of the first prospects to be taken off board in the 4th round.

Alex Okafor, Texas, 6’4’’, 305 lbs: to me he’s more suited as 3-4 DE, but he has great size and some pass rushing ability, so if he continues to slide until the 5th round and the Broncos have him on their board, he could start to be interesting. He’s not a speed rusher at all, but He has the size Del Rio likes.

John Simon, Ohio State, 6’2’’, 256 lbs, Sr: high motor and high character guy, I do really like him a lot. He’s undersized, so I’m not sure he’s at all on Denver board, but he’s a big overachiever that always leaves everything he has on the field. Team captain and big time leader. Not quick neither really fast, he always find a way to get his job done. He carries injury concerns (he’s actually injured), but boy, I’d be so happy if the Broncos would select him in the 4th round. I think he could be a 10 years NFL player and a good one.

Add to these 4 prospects two sleepers I love: Quanterrus Smith (Western Kentucky): torn ACL in November (if I recall correctly) while having a beast mode season, he could be the next Doom and pairing him with Von Miller makes me shivering already, since I have no news about his recovery he could be taken also as a College Free Agent. I would not let it happen anyhow, if the Broncos have him under their radar, if he’s still on the board when the Broncos will select in the 7th, injured or not, I’d take him off the board and make him a Bronco. The other big sleeper of mine is Princeton prospect Mike Capatano: he’s another guy that really has some interesting movement and knows how to get to the QB. Overachiever with good size and frame (6’3’’. 270 lbs) I don’t see him as 3-4 DE and neither as 3-4 OLB because he’s not fast. He has quickness that helps him to get the best at the snap. Media guys have a 6th -7th round on him, at best, I have a 5th round grade in my personal Broncos board. Now he’s undersized for what the Broncos look for under John Fox, so I probably overrated him because I like him a lot.

Thanks for reading and soon I’ll post my other positions rankings.


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