Denver Broncos 2013 Pre-Draft Position Wrap Up: Offense Projections and Depth Chart

For a more complete breakdown of each position group, feel free to go back and read these articles!

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Offensive Line

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Now with all that in mind, let's wrap all this work up!

QB's

2013 Draft Need: LOW

Explanation:

Manning is the starter, took his hits, played at an MVP level, and is healthy. Brock is his backup with a year of training and prep work behind the scenes under his belt. Going into TC, the Broncos might sign a Vet to a no guarantee deal as well as an UDFA rookie to fill out the preseason roster.

There is no need to draft a QB, especially in this poor class.

My take is that the Broncos should go into the season with only Manning and Brock on the active roster. The UDFA rookie can be stashed on the practice squad.

TE's

2013 Draft Need: LOW

Explanation:

All four TE's (Tamme, Dreessen, Green, and J. Thomas) are under contract through 2014. Tamme and Dreessen are the firm starters with Green playing the Dreessen role as a blocker and able pass catcher, and Thomas hopefully stepping up into the Tamme receiving role. There is plenty of talent and production from this group, no need to draft another.

OL

2013 Draft Need: Moderate

Explanation:

Beadles, Walton, and Clady are to be FA's in 2014. Even if Clady is re-tagged, it might be more difficult to sign both Beadles and Walton based upon their production. Add to that the fact Kuper, J.D. Walton, Clady are all recovering from surgery and you have a bit of flux. Kuper is the wild card, the Broncos wouldn't have signed Louis Vasquez if they were confident in his recovery. My feeling is Vasquez can play either guard spot, so depending on how Kuper shakes out he might be a backup making starter money.

The starting 5 on paper is very impressive. Clady, Beadles, Walton, Vasquez, Franklin. This should be a very good line both in pass protection and run blocking. Behind it though the depth is a bit lacking. Chris Clark is the 3rd tackle on the depth chart. If there is any weakness it is the back up tackle role--we need a guy who could play both sides.

2013 Draft Projection: Broncos take a swing T prospect in rounds 4-5

RB

2013 Draft Need: HIGH

Explanation:

Both McGahee and Moreno are unreliable injury wise. Behind them, there isn't anyone that can step up and be the feature back. Hillman is too small and struggles running between the tackles. Lance Ball is a jack of all trades, but good at none of them (what you would label as "McDaniels versatile"). Jacob Hester is a good RZ and short yardage back. Jeremiah Johnson and Mario Fannin look good until it's time to play an actual game.

We need someone to be groomed into that leading role. McGahee is getting old and continues to fumble and Moreno can't stay on the field. If I were more confident in either of these two I wouldn't have an issue here. Problem is, we all saw what could happen when our running game was zapped against Baltimore in the playoffs. We have the likes of Ronnie Hillman in there trying to grind out first downs.

2013 Draft Projection: Broncos take their future feature back in round 2

WR

2013 Draft Need: HIGH

Explanation:

This one is debatable. On paper, we have the best starting 3 in the NFL. Beyond that though we have only Andre Caldwell and Trindon Holliday. Add to that the fact that Decker's contract is up after this season, and the fact that Welker and Thomas are up in 2015 and we have a position that could be in some serious flux over the next two years.

2013 Draft Projection: Broncos take a receiver in round 3. You can stash him on the depth chart and groom him for 2014.

To sum it up, the Broncos have LOW needs at QB and TE, a MODERATE need for depth on the O-line, and a HIGH need at RB and WR.

With that in mind here's what I think the Broncos should do as far as their depth chart heading into 2013:

POS	Starter	2nd	3rd	4th	Total	2012 total
QB	P. Manning	B. Osweiler	None	None	2	3
HB	McGahee OR Moreno	Hillman	Draft pick	Hester	4	4
FB	Hester	None	None	None	0*	1
TE	Dreessen	Tamme	Green	J. Thomas	4	3
#1 WR	D. Thomas	Caldwell/Draft pick	None	None	---	---
#2 WR	E. Decker	Caldwell/Draft pick	None	None	---	---
Slot	W. Welker	Draft pick	None	None	5	5
LT	R. Clady	Draft pick	C. Clark	None	---	---
LG	Z. Beadles	P. Blake/Kuper	M. Ramirez	C.J. Davis	---	---
C	J.D. Walton	P. Blake	C.J. Davis	None	---	---
RG	L. Vasquez	P. Blake/Kuper	M. Ramirez	C.J. Davis	---	---
RT	O. Franklin	Draft pick	C. Clark	---	10	9
Totals	----	----	----	----	25	25

* Since Hester can flex as a RB and FB, he does not take up another spot.

The biggest difference from this year from last year is that I'm keeping one more spot for the O-line. With all the injury concerns there, it would be wise to have ample backups. Since we are not carrying 3 QB's on the active roster we are able to do so. Another minor change was last year the Broncos kept 3 TE's. This year I'm keeping 4. This is made possible by Jacob Hester making the active roster as a goal line/short yardage specialist who can flex into the FB position on the off chance the Broncos want to go with a two back set. Chris Gronkowski was an utter waste last season.

I've enjoyed this series MHR! I look forward to seeing how right or wrong I am haha. Now the debate is up to you, out of all the position groups on the offense, do you agree with my needs and projections? What would you do differently? How would you approach building this side of the final 53-man roster? DISCUSS!!!

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