In four days, a group of young men will sit together in a "Green Room," anxiously awaiting for their name to be called by Roger Goodell. If the experts who made out the invitation list are correct, each one of the assembled will make their way across the stage of the Radio City Music Hall in New York City during the 2011 NFL Draft. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will begin with a handshake from the NFL Commissioner. Then, donning a hat and jersey from their new team, they will pose for the first of many pictures. There will be smiles, tears of joy and laughter shared with their families before heading off to do interviews with ESPN and the NFL Network.
On Thursday April 28th, Bronco fans will affix themselves in front of a television or computer monitor with that same anxiety, putting up with the likes of Mel Kiper Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden, wondering which young man will be in that picture with the Commissioner and the Greatest Quarterback Of All Time. Well I will make one surefire guarantee; that the list below contains the name of the next newest Denver Bronco.
According to league spokesman Greg Aiello, the NFL will traditionally invite the 15-20 top prospects and their families to New York for the Draft. This year, more than two dozen players will be in the Big Apple. And while I can't compete with Kiper's coif or Chucky's churlish grin, I've done enough homework that even "Jaws" can't complain.
The invitees are as follows:
Quarterbacks
Cam Newton - Auburn
Blaine Gabbert - Missouri
Jake Locker - Washington
Andy Dalton - TCU
Patrick Peterson CB - LSU
Prince Amukamara CB - Nebraska
Rahim Moore FS - UCLA
Defensive Linemen
Nick Fairley DT - Auburn
Marcell Dareus DT - Alabama
Adrian Clayborn DE - Iowa
Cameron Jordan DE - Cal
Akeem Ayers - UCLA
Tyron Smith OT - USC
Wide Receivers
Mark Ingram - Alabama
Ryan Williams - Virginia Tech
Randall Cobb - Kentucky
As you can see, a full third of this group is comprised of Defensive Linemen. Given those numbers, the odds favor the Broncos selecting one of these Linemen with their pick.
For the fortunate young man taken by the Denver Broncos with the 2nd overall selection, his first picture with Commissioner Goodell have John Elway in it too. Lucky guy.
Go Broncos!