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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Denver Broncos
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (10): 12, 18, 48, 79, 84, 114, 149, 185, 225, 235
Linebacker – Making the transition to a 3-4 alignment will
require some work. D.J. Williams is a very good player. Other than that
there are a lot of question marks. The players on hand were mostly
small, fast types. Some, like rookie free agent Wesley Woodyard, will
find a home. Others up front are shifting from end to linebacker. Andra
Davis (Browns) was added in free agency and has experience in the
formation. Jamie Winborn has been released after leading the team in
tackles. It is possible the team will draft a player inside and outside
as they attempt to build their defense basically from scratch.
Defensive Line – First and foremost the need is for a nose
tackle to stick in the middle of their new 3-4. Dewayne Robertson was
released after one disappointing season. The best current option is
Ronald Fields (49ers) who was given a two-year deal. It is tough to
address this issue in the draft, but they have to try. Another signing
Darrell Reid (Colts) will shift outside to end. Remember the 2007 draft
class of three defensive linemen out of their four picks? They’re all
backups and worse yet probably all out of place in a 3-4. That means an
end is likely to be sought in the draft as well. There is quite simply
not much talent on this defense in general and especially on the
defensive front line. Fields and Reid are starters by default at the
moment.
Quarterback – It is debatable how viable Kyle Orton can be. He
has been a winner, especially at home, in his career. Calling for him
to compete with Chris Simms is a bit ridiculous. Simms threw two passes
in Tennessee’s season finale and prior to that had not thrown one since
2006. His father Phil might be a bigger threat to win the job. It’s
Orton, a rookie or another trade. Josh McDaniels is painted into a
corner with a horrible defense and career 55.3% passer running the
show. Maybe he feels Orton can be molded. Maybe he will try to scour
the draft crop for another late round steal. This situation is a mess
and fans are ready to light up the phone lines on talk radio if he
fails to pull a rabbit out of his hat.
Center – It is a formality that Tom Nalen will be retiring
although at the moment it is not finalized. Casey Wiegmann will be 36
this summer and someone needs to take his spot. Last year’s fourth
round pick Kory Lichtensteiger was a candidate to move to guard until
the team signed Matt McChesney and Scott Young to fill up the depth
chart. Now it appears he could be the heir apparent. However, this is a
very good year to mine for talent at the center position. The Broncos
are likely to draft a player to contend with Lichtensteiger for the
starting role.
Running Back – In New England Josh McDaniels ran a committee of
backs. Trading Jay Cutler derails what had been a potent passing
attack. Will the offense respond by slanting heavily towards the run?
LaMont Jordan comes “with” McDaniels from the Patriots, having
struggled with injuries while totaling 80 rushes last year. An injured,
aging back? Well, that’s just what they need after sending just about
every running back in the NFL to the IR last season. Correll
Buckhalter, who has missed three entire seasons due to injury, was
another addition. Are they trying to be ironic or honestly trying to
shore up the position? J.J. Arrington is a pickup strictly for special
teams. He had 71 rushes in his final three seasons with Arizona, and is
a kickoff return threat. I suppose there is strength in numbers, but
two guys over 30 and a clear backup is their plan? Someone is going to
“remind me” they have rookie fullback Peyton Hillis running like a
“beast” and that Ryan Torain has “potential”. Let’s not enshrine Hillis
in Canton for running wild on the Raiders, Jets and Chiefs late in the
season and Torain had 15 carries before getting hurt (again). This is a
long diatribe and I can see them playing this one of two ways. First
would be locking up an early talent capable of waiting in the wings for
the team to inevitably cut Buckhalter and/or Jordan this time next
year. Second is fishing for a late round gem, as was the team’s
strategy under the previous regime, and going with another committee.
Of course they may simply decide to roll with their current crew.
Cornerback – Not long ago the tandem of Bailey and Bly was
considered the NFL’s best. Bailey might have peaked in 2006 and has
just 4 interceptions in his past 24 games although some of that
naturally is teams avoiding him. He can still play at a high level
assuming he remains healthy. Bly was released and replaced with veteran
Andre’ Goodman (Dolphins). Karl Paymah (Vikings) left and he was the
last of a trio of corners drafted in 2005. Domonique Foxworth had
already moved on last year and of course tragically Darrent Williams
was killed. The end result is a failure. Fourth round pick Jack
Williams should be a competent backup, as might fellow rookie Josh Bell
who was not drafted. However, someone to throw a charge into the depth
chart should be sought because at every level this defense struggled.
Adding veteran Brian Dawkins (Eagles) and Renaldo Hill (Dolphins) at
safety will help, but it’s not enough.
Kicker – Matt Prater tried to fill the kicking shoes of Jason
Elam and struggled with field goals Elam would have made. He missed
twice inside of 40 yards, and was just 5/11 from 40-49. He showed leg
strength going 5/6 from beyond 50, but the sum total was a
disappointing 73.5%. Only one player in the NFL with more than 10
attempts had a worse percentage. Undoubtedly competition will be
sought.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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