6 picks
#11chi, 43mia, 45, 80, 114, 183, 220
Wide Receiver
Like everyone else on the planet, I knew it was inevitable Brandon Marshall would be traded. He brought them a pair of second round picks, which are the equivalent of gold in "Patriot Way" currency assuming they are used correctly. Losing a guy coming off a trio of 100+ reception seasons obviously leaves them with a bunch of complementary players. Stokley made a memorable play in the opener and finished with 19 receptions as he closes out his career. Royal slumped badly after a splashy rookie campaign. Gaffney tore up the Chiefs in the season finale when Marshall was benched by McDaniels, and is so awesome the folks at Yahoo! Sports display a picture of tight end Jerramy Stevens on his player page - assuming it has not been fixed yet. No respect I tell you, no respect! Maybe McDaniels is of the opinion he needs to operate with subservient players as opposed to egomaniac stars, and will therefore seek late round help or bargain free agents this June. The way I see it, the acquired Miami pick at #43 puts them in perfect position to strike on one of the talented wide receivers with a question mark causing them to slide out of Thursday night's action.
Center
Having ditched their offensive line and running backs coaches, the Broncos are going to a power running scheme. Veteran center Casey Wiegmann was a casualty. He was cut and returned to the Chiefs where he spent the earlier part of his career. If they get their hands on a quality rookie that player might move right into the lineup. I fully expect them to add a rookie and free agent before all is said and done.
Running Back
A year after adding just about every elderly back in the market, the Broncos are thin behind rookie Knowshon Moreno. What a surprise! They also dealt fullback Peyton Hillis in the Brady Quinn deal, and even if he was seldom used he was a threat to carry the rock. LaMont Jordan was cut in a somewhat surprising move considering his familiarity with Josh McDaniels from a season together in New England. Buckhalter has gone four years without missing an entire year, which is a record for him, but always seems to be on the brink of IR and turns 32 in October. I'm not sure he can replicate his fairly productive season of 151 touches for 882 yards in 14 games. They signed J.J. Arrington, but he's likely going to be used returning kickoffs. Someone has to be added in the draft.
Tight End
Putting a second round tender on restricted free agent Tony Scheffler was a business decision. He was deactivated for the season finale after butting heads with the guys who, you know, tell players what to do. Strange concept isn't it? He signed it and it is still a foregone conclusion he is out the door. There are already two rookies on the roster, Richard Quinn (round 2) and Marquez Branson (free agent), plus veteran Daniel Graham who has been consistently average for years now. Getting compensated for Scheffler's departure would give them a pick to play with, but I do not expect a high selection to be used here regardless.
Guard
Moving away from the zone blocking scheme appears to have ensured free agent Ben Hamilton's departure, and Erickson has already been cut because beefier reinforcements will be sought. They put a first round tender on Kuper as a restricted free agent, and inked Hochstein (two years) who played well on the left side despite knee injury concerns. Right now it is just a matter of depth and adding bulk.
Defensive Line
Free agency was utilized to replenish this area after getting run over by division rivals Oakland and Kansas City while fighting for a playoff spot. It was smart because three players came in who worked in a professional 3-4 whereas rookies would have been converting. Justin Bannan (Ravens) was a reliable backup last year and as a former Colorado Buffalo is right at home. Jarvis Green (Patriots) also earned a lengthy contract. The most important of the three was Jamal Williams (Chargers) at the nose. He is at the end of his career, but the line can set up around him as they search for a long term answer. With the moves outside, they kept Le Kevin Smith and ran out of room for Kenny Peterson who was cut. Tackle J'Vonne Parker was also let go. Fields and Thomas looking at free agency next year there is still some work to be done here planning for 2011 and beyond. Expect them to seek out a bargain nose tackle, which of course is no easy task.
Linebacker
Cue the broken record line. If a team runs the 3-4 linebacker is always a position of interest. Most importantly, the highest tender locked down Dumervil as a restricted free agent on the outside. Their plan is to have last year's second first round pick Ayers to the other side. We'll see how that works out. Another future consideration is Woodyard, a quick, high effort player who sees free agency next year. Davis was cut rather than playing out the final year of his deal, and Griesen who missed the season with a knee injury, is free to sigh elsewhere. It doesn't take a genius to figure out current starter Haggan, with his 3 career sacks in 90 games, does not scare anyone in the rush position which means depth there will be a priority even if Ayers pans out opposite Dumervil.
Cornerback
Signing Ty Law off the street late in the season was a bit of an indictment on rookie Alphonso Smith, the nickel corner they traded into the early second round to select. Goodman and Bailey, who hits free agency next year, are both on the wrong side of 30. They did add Nate Jones (Dolphins) to a long term deal, but I look for them to add another rookie this season. Preferably one who actually projects to be a starter.
Quarterback
The moves have been made here, I'm just going to comment on them. Kyle Orton was given a first round tender, ensuring he sticks around for another season and of course he signed it. The headline move was trading for Cleveland's Brady Quinn, a guy who was taken in the first round just three years ago and that year was considered in contention (if only by Lane Kiffin) for the #1 overall pick. They got him for a couple future late round picks and a fullback (Peyton Hillis) they didn't want. It stuns me that no other team made a better offer (like say something this year) unless there is information I do not have about Quinn. He will immediately compete to start while Brandstater, a late round rookie, fills the developmental role. Chris Simms was the odd man out and was released. I fully expected them to make a bold move at the position and this was it. Quarterback is scratched off their draft needs completely in all likelihood.
Special Teams
There were issues in the punting department. Berger was a midseason veteran addition over Kern, but wound up faring much worse. Britton Colquitt was signed and is in line to take the starting job with free agent Berger going to his fifth team in as many years if his NFL career continues. Prater, a restricted free agent, had an excellent situation and will be retained. The returns were not great, and with Royal possibly going back to a larger role in the offense he is unlikely to bring back another 26 kickoffs and 30 punts. Someone with a little return experience could be sought in the late rounds, either at cornerback or wide receiver. A punter would likely be out of the rookie free agent pool, or a discarded veteran to press Colquitt.
