The Latest On The 2011 NFL Draft News and Rumors

As we found out yesterday afternoon, the Lockout has been overruled by Judge Nelson. At this time players cannot be traded. The NFL will not start the new league year until the stay ruling for the Owners to appeal. In other words, leave things as they are until the Appellate court makes it's ruling. To make things clearer, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be the one announcing the beginning of the new league year. Only then will we know when the Free Agency period will start.

Meanwhile, on the trade front...

John Elway has stated even though the Broncos are open to any offers, no one has been in contact with the Broncos regarding a trade for their #2. Brian Xanders has said that each decision will have to be made on a case-by-case basis. 

John Elway and Brian Xanders chime in on the four possibilities at #2 that have all been mocked to the Broncos

Marcell Dareus, Defensive Lineman, Alabama

"He's the biggest of them all. He's a massive DT that's versatile across the line of scrimmage. They play a 3-4 at Alabama. He plays anywhere from an eight technique on the tight end all the way down to nose. He's a disruptive player. He's hard to block when he's stunting. He's a physically strong guy. He's probably the strongest defensive lineman." -Xanders

Nick Fairley, Defensive Lineman, Auburn

"Nick Fairley is a pure three technique. He's a disruptive, productive, competitive three technique. He's a very tall, linear, athletic player. He's a former basketball player. He's got long arms and he has very good athleticism on the move. He's a disruptive guy and he's very hard to block. His production was very, very high for what he did. He was basically a one-year starter but he did very well with his opportunities. He's got a big upside physically because he's still developing." -Xanders

Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, Lousiana State

"He's a great kid. We met with him multiple times. He has a rare body type for corner, because he's 220 pounds and he runs a 4.32 (forty-yard dash) and he's a playmaker, he's got a big upside and he loves football." - Xanders

"He's got great measurables, plays great and is a big-time playmaker. So, he's a great football player." -Elway

Von Miller, Linebacker, Texas A&M

"Well, Von, he's a guy that when you turn on the film you don't even have to know what number he is. That's how dynamic he is. He's a guy that's all over the field. He is a guy that is 250 pounds and runs a 4.5 (second 40-yard dash), or under a 4.5. His production has been unbelievable to have 17 sacks his junior year and 10 sacks last year even though he was a little banged up last year. His production was unbelievable last year, but (he is) a guy that was really a pass rusher, so you've got to do some projection there. We know he can rush the passer, but can he help us on first and second down and learn first and second down, where he's going to have to drop in coverage and cover some running backs and some tight ends? Each guy has a different equation. It's just a matter of -- once we get through that equation -- figuring out what comes out the other end that's best for the Denver Broncos. " -Elway

KC Joyner insists that Nick Fairley's stock should stay high and that the Auburn Defensive Tackle is more Suh than he is Haynesworth. 

Paul Kuharsky has Carolina choosing Cam Newton with the 1st pick, Denver going with Marcel Dareus at #2, Cincinnati picking Patrick Peterson 4th,  Arizona taking Von Miller with #5 and Nick Fairley miraculously dropping to Tennessee at #8.  

In case you were wondering, of the players who the Broncos held private workouts with, ten will be attending the Draft at the Radio City Music Hall.

• Texas A&M LB Von Miller
• Baylor guard Danny Watkins
• Missouri DE Aldon Smith 
• Baylor DT Phil Taylor 
• UCLA LB Akeem Ayers 
• Auburn DT Nick Fairley 
• Alabama DT Marcell Dareus
• LSU CB Patrick Peterson 
• Auburn QB Cam Newton
• Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert 

What does that mean? It means that out of the 25 players who were invited to the Draft proceedings, the Broncos have inside info on nearly half of them...Just in case.

The second and third rounds will begin on Friday at 6 p.m. The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds will be held on Saturday at 12:00 noon. All times are Eastern.

Update 11:45 am MST

This may be good news regarding player trades. If this happens, there could be a mad push for Kevin Kolb as well as a few other players that teams feel are expendable. I still believe the odds are slim though.

Go Broncos!