What’s more important in the draft - OL or a game-changer?

Interesting observation from The Afternoon Drive today - when you ask the Broncos defensive players who the team should take first round in the draft, they all hint at Christian McCaffrey, son of Broncos’ stud former wide receiver Eddie Mac.

Chris Harris Jr. said as much last week and Aqib Talib followed up today with his preference for “guys who can do multiple things.”

And why do they choose this?

“Because they want playmakers, they want someone who takes pressure off the defense, a guy who can keep the offense on the field and keep defenses off balance,” said co-host Les Shapiro.

And there might be another reason. Perhaps some of the lackluster play from the Broncos defense in games was not having stout competition in practice.

“Last year the Broncos offense wasn’t creative enough, wasn’t effective enough, wasn’t challenging enough for the guys to face on a daily basis,” Shapiro added.

Yet when the offensive players are asked the draft question, inevitably the answer is a stud offensive lineman, which Emmanuel Sanders pointed to last week.

So Eric Goodman posed the question, “What’s better long-term for the team - getting a stud left tackle in the draft or a game-breaker?”

Shapiro’s answer was the same as mine would have been - the game breaker.

“Game-breakers like Christian McCaffrey - because better players on offense can mask the deficiencies of the offensive line,” he said.

So what happens if for some crazy reason, two game-breakers are available for the Broncos - like McCaffrey and Alabama tight end O.J. Howard?

Goodman takes Howard; Shapiro sticks with the hometown stud.

Who would be your choice, Broncos Country?

Bonus Listen:

Goodman and Shapiro caught up with Brandon Marshall after practice today and got some great nuggets from the linebacker.

On being without Wade Phillips:

“We miss Wade, but I don’t think we’re going to miss a beat at all. Joe Woods stepped in and he’s a hell of a coach, hell of a coordinator. We’ve still got the same core principles. ...I really believe we’ll still dominate, still be a top defense.”

On missing playoffs year after winning the Super Bowl:

“It still sticks with me. How do you go from top of the mountain...to missing the playoffs? That’s unacceptable. We’re looking to build off last season. New juice, new energy. It feels good.”

On his National Anthem protest:

It did wear on me mentally. Although brought it on myself, it still took its toll. I’d be like, ‘I’ve got to study this opponent, I need to study these plays, but oh I’ve got to meet with these people, and I’ve got to talk to these reporters.’ But I do not regret my decision at all, and I feel like I created change. At the end of day, I laid my head on my pillow at night, comfortable with myself as a man and what I did and my morals and my values. Glad I did it.”

On comments that Colin Kaepernick not being signed is a punishment for his protest:

“Absolutely (think he is being punished for his stand). I stand by my words - he was the best quarterback in free agency, better than all guys that got signed. Looking from owners point of view, maybe they didn’t want that attached to the franchise - but he can still play, man. It’s not like he broke any laws...took a peaceful protest, doing a lot for his community, why would you not want that on your team? But it’s a whole different world, the NFL is.

On Raiders moving to Vegas:

“I LOVE THAT. I love that, man. I can’t wait. We’ll get to play in Vegas, and my family is there. There’s no state taxes, so we’ll get more of our paycheck. You guys will have more fun. Hopefully you’ll make it to the game next day.”