DENVER BRONCOS 2010 DRAFT SCENARIOS

It is generally always hard for a fan to accurately predict what a team is going to do with their drafts picks once it’s their turn to hand in their draft card.  Last year many fans were upset with the Broncos selection of Knowshon Moreno with their first 1st round pick followed by Robert Ayers with their second 1st round pick.  I however loved the moves and was reminded by a friend after the draft on how I stated wanting Moreno to be the team’s first pick.  Following these two picks the Broncos pulled what most analysts called a head scratcher.  The team traded their first round pick in 2010 to Seattle for the Seahawks 2nd round pick in 2009.  The Broncos then used this pick to select CB Alphonso Smith whom some analysts had pegged as a late first rounder.  Time will only tell if Smith was worth the risk. Just don’t forget that Smith is playing behind and learning from a pair of proven veterans in Champ Bailey and Andre’ Goodman.   This year’s draft also promises to be interesting and will also likely have its own fair share of controversy.

This year the Broncos have three selections in the first two rounds.  These picks are at the overall selection of 11, 43, and 45.  The number 43 selection was part of the trade (2nd rounder this year and 2nd rounder next year) that sent Brandon Marshall to Miami.  Looking at the moves the Broncos have made during the offseason there are a few spots which have been vacated by the departure of some of last year’s starters.  The three positions in question are at center, middle linebacker, and obviously wide receiver.  The Broncos not only have a void from the departure of Brandon Marshall, but also from the departures of center Casey Wiegmann and linebacker Andra Davis.  There are also other positions in which the team could use help, such as defensive back or guard or tight end, but for this analysis we will concentrate on the team’s most pressing needs.

The big speculation this year is whether the Broncos are going to use their first overall selection on a wide receiver.  Many mock drafts have the Broncos selecting Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant with this pick.  Others have the team going in with Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain.  Still, there is even speculation that the team will try and move down and select Florida center Maurkice Pouncey.  Regardless, of what the Broncos do with their first selection it is reasonably safe to assume that the team will use one if not both of its second round picks to fill the other voids left from veteran departures.

With two second round picks the team no doubt has many options.  If they happen to take Bryant or another wide receiver with their first selection they can then look to possibly fill the linebacker position with Texas product Sergio Kindle.  Another option for the team would be to move down and then select Pouncey in the first round.  One team that had been rumored to be slightly interested in moving up to select Bryant was the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Other teams may express interest in the 11th overall selection as the draft draws closer.  As a long time Broncos fan I would prefer the team to select Rolando McClain with its first pick and then look to fill the void left by Marshall in the second round.  Remember Marshall was only a 4^th round selection when he came out back in 2006, to there is some value in the later rounds for wide receivers.  If the Broncos were to select McClain they would then have a solid inside linebacker core as McClain would be paired with DJ Williams to form a great duo for years to come.  In the second round the Broncos would have a few wide receivers to choose from.  Some of these possible selections include Southern Carolina’s Damian Williams or Illinois’ Arrelious Benn.

Either way it is near impossible to predict what a team is going to actually do on draft.  Making predictions even harder are all of the rumors, team “smoke screens”, and “expert” mock drafts.  Regardless, a teams draft success can only be measured by the success of the players they have chosen to select.  Only time will tell who the Broncos decide to draft with their first overall selection and what the overall draft implications of this selection will be.  Luckily, for all of us fans the draft is nearing and I personally cannot wait to hear the words “the Denver Broncos are now on the clock”.