2010 MHR Community Mock Draft -- With the #11 Pick, the Denver Broncos Select....

With the #11 pick in the 2010 MHR Community Mock Draft, the Denver Broncos select.... ILB Rolando McClain, Alabama

Denver Broncos Round 1, Pick #11 overall GM John Bena

Details of the pick after the jump...

All heart, now all Bronco.

From GM John Bena:  There were a couple of ways I could have gone here, but McClain was my guy from nearly Day 1 and the recent news of his medical condition has done little to change that. The Broncos need athletes, they need depth all over the field. Sure, the front office did a great job addressing the defensive line, but a big d-line in a 3-4 is designed to allow the linebackers to make plays. McClain give the Broncos a great complement to D.J. Williams. Andra Davis was cut, in large part, because he was a liability in the passing game. Teams forced the Broncos to go to their Nickel defense for large parts of the game, Davis would leave the field, and teams would run right at the Broncos. That won’t happen with McClain. His addition would give the Broncos even more flexibility on defense and give the team tremendous depth at the same time.

Another plus, at least to me, is McClain’s experience playing at a big-time school. He won a National Championship at Alabama and spent two seasons playing for one of the premier defensive minds in all of football – at any level – Nick Saban. At 6-3, 250; McClain is the perfect size to play inside in a 3-4. Essentially, I think you can plug McClain into the starting lineup on the first day of Training Camp and forget about it, he’s that ready.

Sure, the Broncos are talking of moving Mario Haggan inside, or Spencer Larsen. I’m sure they would do a fine job. McClain, however, is an elite talent at the LB position and would be an immediate upgrade on defense..

As for the Crohn’s Disease, with proper management, McClain should be fine. The Broncos are well versed at dealing with issues such as these and this should not be a reason to pass over McClain should he fall to the Broncos. If McClain is there, the Broncos should jump at the chance.

Commish's Comments:  Ernesto:  I've been trying to find reasons why this won't be the pick at #11 and I keep coming up empty. The Crohn's Disease is a concern, but I think it's the only reason why he'd be available here and not enough of one to pass on him. He's the physical prototype for an inside linebacker in the 3-4, he compliments his impressive physical tools with advanced/polished skills and is an exemplary team leader to boot! Though this pick may lack sizzle, it brings plenty of steak. He should be an immediate starter and a stalwart in the defense for along, long time.   Sayre:  This is a solid pick. With Joe Haden still on the board, I'm a tad surprised, but not really. McClain fits more of an immediate need than Haden, and John really couldn't have gone wrong with this pick. If the Broncos have to choose between McClain, Haden, Dez Bryant, et al, I think they will look hard into trading down. Like John said, the health issue with McClain is far from concerning. I know people, and in particular the starting quarterback of a near state champion football team, who have this disease. It's very manageable, and obviously hasn't limited him that much in college.

I'll stay away from what wasn't with this pick to what was. Rolando McClain is arguably the best linebacker in this class. His size is outstanding, and his production is nearly unmatched. He is a leader on the field, and would be a nice thumper for the Broncos along with D.J. Williams in the middle. I wonder though if the Broncos recognized that D.J. Williams does not have great coverage skills, and if they will rely more on him to be the thumper and go for a better coverage linebacker like Donald Butler, who is my top ILB in this class.

Still, a solid pick by the Broncos. McClain will be a starter in this league for a long time barring injury.

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ON THE CLOCK Miami Dolphins are up next, as the MHR Mock Draft continues inexorably forward...

Miami Dolphins Round 1, Pick #12 Overall GM black_knight101

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Round One

1. St,Louis Rams:  QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
   
2. Detroit Lions:  OT Russell Okung. Oklahoma State
   
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
4. Washington Redskins:  OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
5. Kansas City Chiefs:  FS Eric Berry, Tennessee
6. Seattle Seahawks:  FS Earl Thomas, Texas
   
7. Cleveland Browns:  NT Dan Williams, Tennessee
8. Oakland Raiders:  OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland
9. Buffalo Bills:  QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
   
10. Jacksonville Jaguars:  DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
11. Denver Broncos:  ILB Rolando McClain
12. Miami Dolphins:  On the Clock
13. San Francisco 49ers:
14. Seattle Seahawks: 
15. New York Giants:
16. Tennessee Titans:
17. SanFrancisco 49ers:
18. Pittsburgh Steelers:
19. Atlanta Falcons:
20. Houston Texans:
21. Cincinnatti Bengals:
22. New England Patriots:
23. Green Bay Packers:
24. Philadelphia Eagles:
25. Baltimore Ravens:
26. Arizona Cardinals:
27. Dallas Cowboys:
28. San Diego Chargers:
29. New York Jets:
30. Minnesota Vikings:
31. Indianapolis Colts:
32. New Orleans Saints: