A Mile High Draft
Denver Broncos: How’d they do?
This was supposed to have been McDaniels golden opportunity to show the fans of Denver that he has a plan and that the team is in good hands. Well I’m not so sure that was the message conveyed over draft weekend when you consider some of the picks made.
Now let's be fair, I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus or even suggest that the Broncos did not do well in this year's draft. I think the easiest way to say it, I was very surprised and concerned by some of the team’s early picks, but in the end I am hopeful that McDaniels and his new staff have made good decisions.
When draft day began, my first thought was okay McDaniels you have two first round picks (in the top 20), lets put the defense back together. Imagine my surprise when not only was the first pick not a defensive player, but their second pick was not one of the many names some figured the Broncos might grab at 12 (Ray Maualuga, Clay Matthews, or Vontae Davis).
It’s hard to question a team’s thinking when you are not in the circle, but clearly Denver appeared all over the map with their early selections, even some expert analysts weren’t clear of what was the though process. Now that the draft is complete, let’s take a look at some of the picks made;
The highlights of the draft…
With their first pick the Broncos went running back, with the selection of Knowshon Moreno. The former Georgia Bulldog is a versatile back and a playmaker, but this wasn’t a particular area of desperate need. However the staff must have been really high on Moreno and at number 12 he will likely come in as the starter. At only 5’11” tall and 208-lbs he probably won’t be expected to be an every down back which makes sense in McDaniels running-back-by-committee friendly system.
It did not take long for McDaniels to get back on track with the defense being the focus in the draft. With the team’s next three picks, Denver selected Robert Ayers (Tennessee), Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest), and Darcel McBath (Texas Tech). All three players address areas of specific need.
Ayers gives the Broncos a much needed pass rusher on the edge, but I question his size. At only 273-lbs he could be a liability against the run or struggle with durability issues.
Both Smith and McBath address the need in the secondary. Smith has the ability and potential to be a very good corner in the league, but at 5’9” I have my concerns about the possibility of him struggling against some of the taller talent in the league. Smith has great instincts and playmaking ability, but he’ll need great technique and discipline to excel at the next level. McBath a converted corner to safety will give the team added depth in the deep secondary behind Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill.
With the last pick in the second round (number 64 overall) the team grabbed Richard Quinn (University of North Carolina). The tight end is perceived to be a very good blocker, which makes sense in Denver since McDaniel employs a system that does not feature the tight end position much. According to his former coach at Carolina, Quinn can be a good pass receiver; he was just not used much in the Tarheel’s system.
The Bronco’s also added a couple of lineman Seth Olsen (Iowa) and Blake Schlueter (TCU). Olsen gives the team a lineman that can play right away at either guard position, while both add depth to an already pretty good line.
How I see this year’s draft….
What concerns me most was opting for a dynamic playmaker on offense versus a stellar defensive stud with the team’s first pick. All along it has been the defense that has required the most work. Ayers could be a small reach with your first defensive selection and Smith is going to draw a lot of concern as an undersized corner.
What I like about this year’s draft was McDaniels was able to address many of the team’s needs. In conjunction with some of the offseason signings, it appears the team may have filled quite a few holes (or addressed many of them). I’m not sure if Moreno was the best first pick for Denver, but it certainly sounds like he could have a big impact in 2009. I think the Quinn pick was smart, he’ll do more for the team as a blocker than Scheffler likely would as a pass catcher. This move also frees up Scheffler to recoup some of next year’s picks.
There are going to be questions about some of the talent, that we will have to wait and see, but for the moment the horizon has a little promise to it. I will take the high road here and say I’m looking forward to watching some of the team’s new talent blossom this summer and I believe if Pat Bowlen knows what he is doing, McDaniels just might be able to put a new look and improved team on the field in 2009.
That’s my take.
By David G. Ortega
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