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With The Second Pick Of The 2011 BRB Mock Draft, The Denver Broncos Select...

Take it away, La Voz. After the jump, I mean.

Star-divide

The Broncos - Sorta similar to the Texans, good offense, terrible defense. Not quite the prolific offense (actually, it could be prolific, it's just not consistent) that the Texans possessed, but believe it or not, almost as terrible a defense.

Defense - Like the Texans, problems all over this side of the ball. And they're moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 (a lot of potential for deal-making between the Texans and Broncos). They did resign Champ Bailey, so whereas our secondary is atrocious, theirs is perhaps a semi-bright spot. Unfortunately, promising CB Perrish Cox attended the Roethlisberger School of Surprise Sex and could find himself in a world of legal trouble (unless, of course, he secures Kobe's dream legal team to make magic happen).

DL - They're converting from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and they released 2 of their defensive linemen, so they're in need of A LOT of players here. This is a great draft to need DL in though since it's so deep, especially at DT, where the Broncos have the greatest need. Elvis Dumervil will likely be moved to 4-3 DE. Addressing DT could very well be the #2 pick for the Broncos. Also, #1 pick from 2009 Robert Ayers, who has been playing 3-4 OLB and was considered possibly out of position, will likely be moved to 4-3 DE, which is where new Broncos coach John Fox thought he would play when evaluated a couple of years ago. Starting DTs will definitely be targeted, DE depth could be needed as well.

DB - The Broncos resigned Champ Bailey...bastards. As you recall, Champ was willing to convert to FS in the near future. He could very well do this for the Broncos, though the Broncos still have Brian Dawkins. They'll likely let Dawkins play FS for one more year before looking for someone else to play that position (though Dawkins did have a down year last year, so they might not wait). It seems like the perfect transition moment for the Broncos, but they'll need someone to fill Champ's shoes at CB. They had high hopes for Perrish Cox, a very talented DB who slipped in last year's draft due to character concerns. Unfortunately, it seems those character concerns were legitimate as he was arrested this past December for sexual assault...dumbass. Also on the roster is last year's 7th round pick, Syd'Quan Thompson. He will likely be a solid nickelback, but not expected to start as one of the main 2 guys. Andre Goodman is the other starting CB currently, serviceable but nothing special.

The Pick - Patrick Peterson, 6-0/219, Cornerback, LSU.

If it weren't for Patrick Peterson, who is being billed as the best CB prospect in many years, the Broncos would go DT here. Marcell Dareus would be the likely pick if they did go DT because he's a great prospect with low-risk (unlike Nick Fairley, who is also a great prospect but with more risk). Given the Perrish Cox issues, the Broncos are unlikely to go with any high-risk prospects. Still, Patrick Peterson is a sort of Ndamukong Suh talent, those once-in-every-5-to-10-years prospects. The fact that he's also a really good returner means he could contribute immediately in multiple ways. The Broncos weren't a terrible return team, but they could stand improvement and Peterson would do that. Peterson would also be able to learn from Champ Bailey and eventually allow Champ to move to FS to make sure the Broncos get the most out of the new contract they just gave him. Finally, as noted above, this is a really deep draft for DTs. They could find some solid values in rounds 2-4 to address the position. Also, they're likely going to have to look to existing players to address that need (Amobi Okoye trade, anyone?). That's why we have the Broncos taking Patrick Peterson with the #2 pick of the draft.

Alternatively, the Broncos could very likely trade out of this pick since they have SO many needs on defense. That would perhaps be the smart thing, but then again, picking the best CB talent in years isn't a stupid thing either.

Thoughts? The Buffalo Bills, via nolander and dwalthall12, are now on the clock.

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Excellent

Thorough, coherent analysis followed by drafting the most talented player on the board.

Good pick.

The strong do what they have to do; the weak accept what they have to accept

by Riott on Mar 29, 2011 4:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

I hate you!

and why did you have to right so much, now I feel inadequate.

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Mar 29, 2011 4:39 PM CDT reply actions  

Very well thought out and written

You really can’t argue the P-Squared pick for anyone – dude’s that good.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Mar 29, 2011 4:45 PM CDT reply actions  

Broncos make the first steal of the draft!

Very good pick…

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Mar 29, 2011 4:52 PM CDT reply actions  

I will only call a that a steal if Bradford crashes and burns

getting a really good player with the number 2 pick is just not steal territory

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Mar 29, 2011 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

I see your point...

But I think the reason you could argue classifying a pick a steal at the #2 pick is if the person you’re getting there is the most talented player in the draft and also the best to come out at his position in years. Such was the case with Suh last year, and I believe that will be the case with Peterson this year.

I do understand your point though, at the #2 pick you should be hitting a homerun with whoever you pick therefore you don’t think it’s a steal.

by La Voz on Mar 29, 2011 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Interesting tit for tat on the "steal" comment

I wasn’t expecting it. I was just trying to put an exclamation point on my thinking that the pick was an excellent pick and much better than Carolina taking Cam Newton with the first pick.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Mar 30, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions  

Bronco fan here

Very nice analysis of the Broncos. I’m a Peterson fan myself, and I hope we take him. As so many pundits have said, he’s the only player out there without any warts (or something like that).

What I am truly interested in is whether God had any choice in the creation of the world.
Albert Einstein

by bradley on Mar 29, 2011 4:55 PM CDT reply actions  

Patrick Peterson got a 9 and Dan Marino got a 15 on the Wonderlic

I’m ok with a CB scoring 6 points lower on the Wonderlic than a Hall of Fame QB.

by La Voz on Mar 29, 2011 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

Wonderlic, Inc. claims a score of at least 10 points suggests a person is literate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderlic

Plus now days players are more prepared for the test. Not that it really matters, I would have taken him at 3 if I had the chance, but you can’t say he doesn’t have any warts with a score that low.

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Mar 29, 2011 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

You'll just have to tune in tomorrow!

A hint: I got a good player!

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Mar 29, 2011 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

A hint: Iwe got a good player!

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Mar 29, 2011 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

I read somewhere

that the Wonderlic is not much good at all in predicting the future success of either DB’s or WR’s. Peterson’s score doesn’t bother me at all.

What I am truly interested in is whether God had any choice in the creation of the world.
Albert Einstein

by bradley on Mar 29, 2011 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

It probably isn't

but that is still really really really really low.

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Mar 29, 2011 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

Elway was on TV recently saying they need a “can’t miss” pick. Peterson has been solid for multiple seasons, is great in run support and pass coverage, is a dangerous returner, and has great combine measurables (big CB body and 4.3 speed).

I think the Broncos will use their 2nd round pick to address their needs at DT.

by La Voz on Mar 29, 2011 5:49 PM CDT reply actions  

If I was them I would take PP

I have a feeling they take dareus, but PP has a chance to be top 10 of ALL TIME IMO. His tape is insane.

by AllenOU on Mar 29, 2011 6:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

Way to raise the bar, La Voz

A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com
"Blind fandom is all I got left." - LoneSpot

by bigfatdrunk on Mar 29, 2011 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

Broncos fan here

Not a fan of the pick. Your logic is sound and taking Peterson for the future is a noble idea. But we have problems today. And CB isn’t a big one. CB is our strongest defensive position. It’s the only standing building in a city that just got nuked. It needs attention, but the rules of triage dictate that we prioritize better with our limited resources.

Patrick Peterson is a step above all other corners in this draft. He’s a step above all corners in most drafts. But he’s not a step above comparable talent at other positions in this draft. Some sites have him ranked 1st overall. Others don’t. Scouts Inc, for example, rates both Dareus and Miller above Peterson. Peterson may be a once-in-a-few-years corner, but he’s not a notch above the other elite talent in this draft. There are 2-3 similarly ranked players.

If this were a question of taking a guy like Suh, who was not only the best at his positinon, but also the absolute consensus best player in the whole draft (and a full notch above the rest), then Peterson would be the pick. But in this draft, we don’t have to pick between a need and a non-need. We don’t have to pick between safe and non-safe. And we don’t have to pick between need and value. Both Dareus and Miller present elite talent at position of need. One of them will be our choice, IMO.

We have a starting QB and two recent first-round QBs all three on the roster; Now we're gonna reach for another 1st round QB.. a year after spending a 2nd, 3rd and 4th round pick on a QB. Yeah, you betcha.

by Rodney A on Mar 29, 2011 8:22 PM CDT reply actions  

Thanks for coming to the BRB

I appreciate your feedback, it’s nice to have fans of other teams share their educated opinions with us. I agree CB is your strongest position, I wouldn’t exactly call it a position of strength given the Perrish Cox mess.

I can definitely see the argument for Dareus at the #2 pick. After all, with Vickerson resigned, Dareus could play Up Tackle in the 4-3 and instantly make the line better, which in turn should help Ayers’ and Dumervil’s transitions to 4-3 ends. He’s definitely a safe pick: no off-the-field concerns, comes from a top flight program with a solid coach, and has been consistently productive for two years against some of the best OLs in college football. He also did have a much higher Wonderlic at 25 or so. While I do think Peterson should be the pick, it’s a 55/45 kind of think with Peterson at 55 and Dareus at 45.

I don’t see Miller being a potential pick at #2. I agree that the Broncos have a big need for starting talent at linebacker. In fact, when I did a full scouting report of the Broncos, here’s what I wrote up on the LB core:

LB – Their 3-4 starting OLBs were Dumervil and Ayers, who will likely be playing DE now. They could use some starting talent here which is why some think Von Miller could be targeted with the #2 pick. Wesley Woodyard, who did well in Shanny’s 4-3, was tendered by the Broncos and will likely be one of the OLBs, though whether starting or just depth is unknown. DJ Williams, who started as one of the 3-4 MLBs last year will be going to OLB. Mario Haggan, one of the starting 3-4 OLBs, is currently slated to be the starting 4-3 MLB. MLB is unlikely to be targeted in the draft.

However, when thinking about Von Miller, I go back to what Elway said about their pick at #2, they can’t afford to miss. I like Von Miller, but I’m not 100% sold on the fact that he’s going to be a star at the next level. He might be, he’s arguably been the most disruptive OLB in college for two straight years. Still, he relies a lot on speed. Watching some film on him, I see that a lot of his bigger plays come when an OL misses an assignment or is just slow getting off the ball. Miller makes the most of his opportunities, but I’m not convinced he can CREATE his own opportunities against NFL linemen, so I don’t think he’s a “can’t miss” pick.

Dareus, though, I think is solid and I can’t really argue with you that he shouldn’t be the pick. I just think in a draft so deep with DT talent, the Broncos could still get solid, startable talent at the top of the 2nd while grabbing the best CB to come out in years.

by La Voz on Mar 29, 2011 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thanks for having me!

Marcell Dareus is the popular choice, and I would say maybe even the likely pick. We knowledgeable football fans understand, though, that that it’s not pompous or arrogant necessarily to think we actually know our team better than the main streamers, and better than the main stream media even. Most pundits and experts have knowledge that spans a mile wide, although sometimes just an inch deep.

The typical John Fox defense is a conservative, bend-don’t break approach that’s based predominantly on zone coverage and relies on getting pressure from the front-four, dropping seven in coverage. Without that pressure, the entire system is broken. Astute Bronco fans have thus come to the realization that Dumervil alone won’t fix our pass rush. He was enough in the 3-4 in 2009, but even if he leads the league in sacks again, he’s not enough.

Robert Ayers starts on the opposite end but has less than two career sacks. There’s nobody of value behind either one of them. Ayers isn’t the problem. He was never projected as a sack artist, but rather a SS, run-stuffing DE out of college. He’ll do fine, we think. But he’s not enough.

In a recent post, at MHR, I opined that by taking Von Miller as starting SAM, he would also fill the need for pass rushing DE during obvious pass situations and add pass rushing depth in general. It kills two birds with one stone. He would also play the rush linebacker in our 3-4 packages and rush from the line in our 5-2 looks. When you combine that idea with the undeniable depth at DT, specifically in the 2nd round, the Broncos would be better served by taking Miller to fill two needs in the first round, IMO.

As to LB, Haggan is about 30pounds too heavy and he’s too slow for this system. Joe Mays is maybe a starter at Mike. Maybe. Woodyard (who you mentioned) is maybe a starter at Will. Maybe. DJ is a lock to start Will or Mike (whichever is leftover; he could play either). We have absolutely nobody behind these three guys. Nobody. Linebacer is as big a need as DT, but starting LBs aren’t deep in the 2nd/3rd rounds. DTs are.

Anyway, just my opinion. There are still some stragglers at MHR that support Peterson as well. And Dareus is still the popular choice.

We have a starting QB and two recent first-round QBs all three on the roster; Now we're gonna reach for another 1st round QB.. a year after spending a 2nd, 3rd and 4th round pick on a QB. Yeah, you betcha.

by Rodney A on Mar 29, 2011 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

Versatility is nice...

But in this situation, Miller would still be pass rushing a mere fraction of the time. I have no doubt he could play 4-3 SAM well, but you’d be taking away his greatest asset by not playing him as an every-down pass-rusher. Miller’s value as a top-ten (maybe even a top-five) pick comes as a 3-4 OLB. In a 4-3 (even with the occasional 3-4 package), he doesn’t strike me as worth the #2 overall pick. At least, I certainly can’t remember a whole lot of cases with a 4-3 LB going that high.

And as good as Dareus looks, methinks he’s being slightly overrated based on Suh’s success last year. He’s more of a Glenn Dorsey/Sedrick Ellis than a Suh/Raji, in my humble opinion at least. So, while I won’t presume to know more about your team’s needs, I do think that if you take anybody besides Peterson, you’re not drafting BPA.

by Nashmeister on Mar 29, 2011 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

I hear ya..

So, while I won’t presume to know more about your team’s needs, I do think that if you take anybody besides Peterson, you’re not drafting BPA.

“The nice thing when you’re the second pick is that you’re going to get a player of that worthiness as well as a player of need.” ~Broncos Head Coach John Fox

Even if Peterson’s talent grades out at 236 and both Dareus and Miller’s talent grades out at 230 on whatever scale they’re using, when you factor in upgrade and impact and overall team improvement, these players of immediate need and higher overall team improvement will certainly end up with the higher overall grade. And again, reputable sites and scouts like Scouts Inc still grade both Dareus and Miller higher.

Your point isn’t lost on me about Miller, though. I do get that he’s worth more to a team as a 3-4 rush linebacker where he’s sent at the QB on nearly every down, than he is to a 4-3 team where he has regular linebacker duties, also. Our specific situation is different, though. Building our defense around Miller so that he can zone blitz (dropping our DE, Robert Ayers, into coverage while rushing our SAM, Miller, without warning), be a primary regualr blitzer in general, and also rush from the end posiiton on obvious passing downs… I believe we’ll get quite a bit of his elite talent out of him. And again, he fills two roles. Without him, we’ll need to not only draft a SAM, but also a DE.

We have a starting QB and two recent first-round QBs all three on the roster; Now we're gonna reach for another 1st round QB.. a year after spending a 2nd, 3rd and 4th round pick on a QB. Yeah, you betcha.

by Rodney A on Mar 29, 2011 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

The SBNation Writers do have the Broncos taking Miller though...

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/3/28/2067799/2011-nfl-mock-draft-von-miller-denver-broncos

So as much as I don’t think they will or even should, there are people who are probably better informed than I am that DO think Miller should go to the Broncs at 2.

by La Voz on Mar 29, 2011 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

Miller could potentially be the best player in the draft.

He also could be a bust. Hard to say with him. As a Bronco fan I’m on the Dareus bandwagon, and want little to do with Peterson at #2. I feel that WR and CB are two of the most overrated positions in the league, and his return skills are greatly minimized with the changes they’re making to the kickoffs.

I also think you overstate the Cox situation. He very well might end up in jail, but if you do about 30 seconds of research on the girl accusing him you’d find real quickly that she’s an attention-whore. Doesn’t make him innocent, I understand. But I find it far more likely that the charges are fraudulent based on her ‘modeling’ career and reputation. At this point I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

With that being said, I’ll get excited about PP if he is the pick, (as I will convince myself that whoever we pick will be a franchise-changing player). I think we have to go front 7 with our first three picks.

If I had a dollar for every Super Bowl San Diego has won, I'd go window shopping at the dollar store.

by Kgrone on Mar 29, 2011 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

Suh was not the consensus best player

A lot of people where beating the McCoy drum. They where wrong, but still.

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Mar 29, 2011 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hey guys..

Speaking of mocks, over at Mocking the Draft there’s a Live Mock Draft going on this weekend. Nobody’s signed up to represent your Texans yet, so I thought I’d let you know. Looks like fun…

We have a starting QB and two recent first-round QBs all three on the roster; Now we're gonna reach for another 1st round QB.. a year after spending a 2nd, 3rd and 4th round pick on a QB. Yeah, you betcha.

by Rodney A on Mar 29, 2011 11:16 PM CDT reply actions  

Sweet, thanks for posting that....but I need help!

I’m not 100% certain I’ll be available for the entire draft, so other BRBers please help!

by La Voz on Mar 29, 2011 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

I might be turkey hunting....

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Mar 30, 2011 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions  

I'm also the best straight man on BRB

BFD could be that guy, if he were only straight…..

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Mar 30, 2011 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions  

true

bfd can only be described as “round”

by Cut Block on Mar 30, 2011 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions  

I did it again....

and I wasn't even trying...

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Mar 30, 2011 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions  

I would

but I’m banned from MtD for commenting on threads here.

Sounds entirely fair, I know.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Mar 30, 2011 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Bradley went on a massive banning spree

to commenters in the open thread on SBN Indiana, Mocking the Draft, and Stampede Blue.

So for being there and commenting….on my home blog….I got banned. Fair stuff, right?

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Mar 30, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

but... why?

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Mar 30, 2011 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

I would write a hugeass sig, for starters,

…and add a few quotes from great anarchists, a recipe for internet disaster, a few choice expletives, and top it off with a request to the entire world wide web to have BBS banned for perpetuity and world peace, of course….

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Mar 30, 2011 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

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