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Day One recap
The Denver Broncos surprised many yesterday, trading up to take Shane Ray with a pick acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions. After making the selection, John Elway announced that Ray had been rated as the Broncos' tenth overall player, prompting the trade up when he slid down the board. For MHR's in-depth analysis on the Shane Ray selection, take a look at any of the links below.
From the GM: Why John Elway traded up for Shane Ray
Why Big Pete believes Shane Ray was a top-notch choice
A collection of Shane Ray highlights
Scouting Shane Ray: Explosive and relentless
Around the web: Grading the Shane Ray pick
A message from Shane Ray to Broncos Country
Broncos Day Two picks
Round 2, 27th pick (59th overall)
Round 3, 28th pick (92nd overall)
The rest:
Round 4, 34th pick (133rd overall) - compensatory
Round 5, 28th pick (164th overall)
Round 6, 27th pick (203rd overall)
Round 7, 33rd pick (250th overall) - compensatory
Round 7, 34th pick (251st overall) - compensatory
Round 7, 35th pick (252nd overall) - compensatory
Day Two Preview
Entering day two, where they'll have two selections, the Denver has a number of positional needs with a lot of value left on the board. The Broncos two picks are 59th (Round 2, Pick 27) and 92nd (Round 3, Pick 28) overall.
The needs
Inside linebacker: Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall are both entering the final year of contracts, and both spent a significant portion of the 2014 season dealing with injuries. Adding a third guy to the mix at this position should be a priority for the Broncos on day two or early day three.
Defensive tackle: Terrance Knighton's departure left a big hole in the middle of the Broncos defensive line. Sly Williams and Marvin Austin are atop the depth chart right now, but some of the day two talent at defensive tackle would make the defensive line much more formidable.
Offensive line: The Broncos have a number of positions to fill on the offensive line heading into the 2015 season. Matt Paradis and Michael Schofield are two 2014 draft selections that are looking to make the jump to the starting lineup at center and right tackle, but some of the prospects available on day two of the draft may be stronger options. Regardless of whether both of these guys become starters, the Broncos are in need of a starter at left guard as well.
Safety: Rumour has it that Bradley Roby may make the transition to safety in 2015, and the Broncos signed Darian Stewart to a contract in free agency, but the free safety position is one that is still up in the air.
Defensive end: Both Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson are free agents at the end of 2015; adding a talented mid-round guy to the mix would be a smart move for Denver.
Quarterback: Many people aren't sold on Brock Osweiler as Denver's quarterback of the future, and his contract will end after the season.
Tight End: The Broncos added a lot of depth players at tight end in the off-season, but still don't have a top-notch playmaker at the position. The tight end class is weak, but two or three at the top are good enough to warrant some attention.
The rumors
The Broncos are reportedly high on two quarterbacks who are likely to be drafted today. Bryce Petty and Garrett Grayson are both guys who the Broncos have shown interest in, but there is a good chance that both leave the board before Denver picks. The Browns and Bills are interested in both quarterbacks, and the Saints are reportedly very high on Petty.
In addition to the two quarterbacks mentioned, the Broncos are reportedly high on linebacker Bernardrick McKinney and tight end Maxx Williams, both of whom should be taken in round two.
While not a rumor, per se, there is a strong possibility that the Broncos select an offensive lineman in the second or third round of today's draft. The Broncos reportedly used all 60 combine interviews on offensive linemen and tight ends, according to Fox Sports reporter Joel Klatt. With that much research, there's a good chance that Denver has a couple in mind.
The Best Players Available
MHR Draft expert Christopher Hart has written a great guide to the best available players heading into day two, highlighting a number of round two and three players who should find their future teams. You can find the full article here, including short breakdowns of each player listed, and who Denver may be targeting with the 59th and 92nd picks.
The Big Board
Based on team needs, best remaining players, and factoring in projections of where and when these players are expected to be drafted, the Broncos draft board should look something like this heading into Day two. For a closer look at MHR's big board for day two, you can access it here.
LB | DL | S | OL | QB | TE | CB | RB | WR | |
2nd Round | Eric Kendricks (4) | Preston Smith (2) | Landon Collins (8) | Jake Fisher (1) | Garrett Grayson | Maxx Williams (13) | Jalen Collins | Jay Ajayi | Jaelen Strong |
Denzel Perryman (6) | Jordan Phillips (9) | Eric Rowe (5) | TJ Clemmings (3) | Bryce Petty | PJ Williams | Tevin Coleman | Devon Smith | ||
Bernardrick McKinney (7) | Trey Flowers (10) | Hroniss Grasu (12) | Ronald Darby | Duke Johnson | Dorial Green-Beckham | ||||
Paul Dawson (17) | Grady Jarrett (11) | AJ Cann (16) | Quinten Rollins | ||||||
Henry Anderson (14) | Ty Sambrailo (19) | ||||||||
Carl Davis (15) | Ali Marpet (20) | ||||||||
Eddie Goldman (18) | |||||||||
3rd Round | Taiwan Jones | Xavier Cooper | Derron Smith | Tre Jackson | Brett Hundley | Clive Walford | Troy Hill | TJ Yeldon | Tyler Lockett |
Christian Covington | Jeremiah Poutasi | Devin Funchess | Ifo Ekpre-Olomu | Mike Davis | Kenny Bell | ||||
Markus Golden | Donovan Smith | Ameer Abdullah | Rashad Greene | ||||||
Mario Edwards Jr. | Jarvis Harrison | Chris Conley | |||||||
Michael Bennett | Mitch Morse | ||||||||
Max Garcia |
Schedule and TV info
Friday will cover the second and third rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Friday, May 1st - 5 p.m. MT (Round 2 - seven minutes, Round 3 - five minutes per pick). NFL Network and ESPN/ESPN2 will air the Draft live.
Ring of Famer to present
Ring of Fame member Rick Upchurch will announce #Broncos second-round pick today. Second round will start at 5 mountain time.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) May 1, 2015
Follow along with MHR tonight for up-to-the-minute Broncos draft news and analysis, and comment below with your ideal second and third round draft picks.