2. OLB Von Miller C-

Von Miller has #2 pick value as a 3-4 rush linebacker and he has #2 pick value on 3^rd down in a 4-3, but he doesn’t have #2 pick value on all 3 downs in a 4-3, which makes this a bad pick. On 1^st and 2^nd downs, he’s a stand up outside linebacker, a new full time position for him, and while I think he can be an above average outside linebacker, you just don’t take above average outside linebackers in the top 2. The last two teams to pick outside linebackers early are the Redskins (LaVar Arrington) and the Seahawks (Aaron Curry). Both regret it. I think Denver will too.

45. S Rahim Moore A

A lot of people had them taking Moore with their first pick in the 2^nd round, but the Broncos were smart and were able to trade down and still get their guy. Safety was a huge need for them.

46. OT Orlando Franklin C-

They probably drafted Franklin with the intention of playing him at right tackle, because right tackle was a bigger need for them than guard, but I have some doubts about his ability to play there and I think he was a reach of at least a round. I didn’t have a 2^nd round grade on him. Marvin Austin and Stephen Paea would have made a ton of sense here to fill their defensive tackle need.

67. MLB Nate Irving A-

Irving is one of the more underrated players in this draft and he fills a need for them at middle linebacker. He was a minor reach here and I still don’t like that they haven’t taken a defensive tackle, but I’m far from hating this pick like a lot of people do.

108. S Quinton Carter A-

Carter fits the range and they do need another safety because of Brian Dawkins’ age, but I think a 2^nd safety should have been much further down on their list than a defensive tackle.

129. TE Julius Thomas B

A tight end was a need, but I think Thomas was a minor reach at this point and defensive tackle was a much more glaring need than tight end at this point. They needed to get two defensive tackles out of this draft. They’ve gotten none.

189. OLB Mike Mohamed A

Another linebacker actually makes sense with Miller playing end on 3^rd down. Mohamed is a great value at this point. I think he was very underrated and had a 3^rd round grade in my book. He can also play special teams.

204. TE Virgil Green B

Another tight end? Green was a good value at this point and a better value than Thomas was at 129, but they didn’t need two tight ends. Cornerback, defensive tackle, and running back would have been way more sense here.

247. DE Jeremy Beal A

Say what you want about his athleticism, but he has 27 sacks in the last 3 years in a major conference. He was well worth the 7^th round selection and he does have a role on this team. Elvis Dumervil is coming off a major injury. Robert Ayers is currently a bust, though he could turn that around in a 4-3. Von Miller will only play end on 3^rd down and 2^nd and longs. And you can never have enough guys who can get to the quarterback and this guy proved he could at Oklahoma. Beal also played linebacker at Oklahoma.

Overall:

The Broncos actually had some nice picks. I gave 5 of their 9 picks some form of an A, but I think they really messed up their first selection and they also didn’t fill their biggest need, defensive tackle, at all. They needed two players at that position they got none. I think John Elway was pulling the strings more than John Fox was. John Fox loves to build in the trenches and hates tight ends. Von Miller is a very, very, very talented player, but he only has #2 pick value in a 3-4. In a 4-3, he’ll only be able to rush the passer on 3^rd down, 2^nd and long, and on linebacker blitzes. The rest of the time, he’ll just be a stand up linebacker. He’ll have to learn the position and I think he’s going to be an above average linebacker, but it’s the 2^nd pick. I also didn’t like the Orlando Franklin selection.

Grade: C+

Free agency priorities

Defensive Tackle

I hope they passed on taking a single defensive tackle through the draft because they were sure they could get two starters in free agency, otherwise they’ll be so bad against the run that there won’t be any 3rd downs for them to use Von Miller on.

Running Back

Knowshon Moreno can’t stay healthy and the depth behind him really, really sucks. John Fox is a conservative coach and loves to run the football, which makes sense as they continue to develop Tim Tebow long term. They’ll find a 2nd back in free agency, possibly DeAngelo Williams, who John Fox coached in Carolina.

Cornerback

They resigned Champ Bailey, but they could really use an upgrade over Perrish Cox. They ranked 30th against the pass and you can’t completely blame their pass rush for that.

Tight End

They drafted two, but I doubt either will be able to contribute much as rookies. They need to find a veteran pass catching tight end, even if it doing so would destroy John Fox’s soul.

Draft Needs

Cornerback

The Broncos ranked 30^th in the league against the pass despite having Champ Bailey. Now Bailey, the longest tenured Bronco on the roster, is a free agent and has expressed desire to leave the team. Promising rookie cornerback Perrish Cox might also not be back after he was arrested for sexual assualt. The Broncos can take Patrick Peterson with the 2^nd pick if they find him worth the pick and make Peterson the first defensive back to be drafted in the top 3 since 1997.

Resigned Champ Bailey 

Defensive Tackle

Josh McDaniels didn’t draft a single defensive tackle in his time with the team which is bad considering how terrible they were against the run before he took over. The Broncos were a little better in 2010 against the run, but 29^th is hardly anything to be proud of. Neither are their 23 sacks, least in the league.

Defensive End

I mentioned their 23 sacks above. That will get better when Elvis Dumervil returns from injury in 2011, but across from him will be Robert Ayers. Ayers should be able to turn his career around in a 4-3 next year, which he fits much better, but Aaron Maybin should have turned his career around in a 3-4 this year, which he fit much better, and we all know how that worked. A replacement in case he fails is necessary and even if he succeeds, adding another end to the mix makes a lot of sense. Ayers’ strength is the run, but he struggles as a pass rusher, while Dumervil struggled against the run last time he played in a 4-3, though he remained an amazing pass rusher. Adding another end to make a rotation with those two makes a lot of sense.

Drafted Jeremy Beal (#247) 

Middle Linebacker

More help for their 29^th ranked run defense. 

Drafted Nate Irving (#67) 

Outside Linebacker

DJ Williams will be moving back to the outside in their 4-3, but they need someone across from him. 

Drafted Von Miller (#2), Drafted Mike Mohamed (#189) 

Safety

Why yes I did just name every position on a defense. Remember, this team gave up the most yards and most points in the league last year. Brian Dawkins is getting old and they also could use an upgrade across from him.

Drafted Rahim Moore (#45), Drafted Quinton Carter (#108) 

Tight End

Josh McDaniels had a weird obsession with blocking tight ends. Nothing wrong with them, but they need a true passing catching tight end to give their offense a down the middle threat. No Bronco tight end had more than 148 receiving yards last season.

Drafted Julius Thomas (#129), Drafted Virgil Green (#204)

Running Back

Knowshon Moreno is injury prone and they lack depth behind him. Correll Buckhalter can’t stay healthy and will be 33 in October. Lance Ball and Laurence Maroney both struggled mightily when called upon to carry the load. 

The Saints no longer have a 2^nd round pick because of BountyGate (nor do they have a Head Coach) so they almost had to address the defensive tackle position in free agency. Brodrick Bunkley was actually ProFootballFocus’ best run stuffer regardless of position, but he’s had an inconsistent past, especially with injuries, so he’s no sure bet. If he’s right, he’s well worth the 5 years, 25 million with 9 million guaranteed that he got. However, I would have liked to have seen the Saints add a pass rushing defensive tackle instead. Sedrick Ellis is the other starting defensive tackle and he managed just .5 sacks last season. They needed a pass rushing compliment.

Grade: B

Trade for Philadelphia: After getting a 2012 5^th rounder from Cleveland for Bunkley a few days ago, Bunkley didn’t report to practice Monday for Cleveland and the deal was nullified. They don’t have much use for Bunkley after signing Jenkins, but it’s not like they got much of anything for him. He put them in an awkward situation when he didn’t show up in Cleveland.

Grade: B

Trade for Denver: Bunkley is a douche. I’m glad he got shipped from Cleveland to an even worse team in Denver. Normally trading for douches is a bad idea, but they barely gave up anything and they have next to nothing at the defensive tackle position.

Grade: B

Quarterback

Arizona State

6-7 242

Draft board overall prospect rank: #32

Draft board overall quarterback rank: #3

Overall rating: 81 (Borderline 1^st/2^nd rounder)

40 time: 4.84

Games watched: Arizona State/Missouri, USC/Arizona State, Boise State/Arizona State

Positives

·         Big frame (6-7 242)

·         Mobile for his size

·         Quick release for his size

·         Huge arm

·         Can make all the throws

·         Above average deep accuracy

·         Productive in 2011 with mediocre supporting cast (63.2%, 7.8 YPA, 26:13 TD:INT)

·         Poised in the pocket

·         Succeeded in spite of offensive line (28 sacks last season)

·         Impressive footwork for an inexperienced quarterback

·         A ton of developmental talent

·         Pro style experience

·         Signature win against USC

Negatives

·         Only 16 starts

·         6-7 record as a junior, including 5 straight losses to end season

·         Quit on a crumbling program by leaving early?

·         Leadership?

·         Still raw

·         Still needs work on accuracy, footwork, decision making

·         Never had elite production

·         A bit inconsistent in 2011

NFL Comparison: Joe Flacco/Philip Rivers

Osweiler is similar to both Flacco and Rivers in that he is a big quarterback with a great arm. I think as an NFL player, he’ll be inferior to Rivers and superior to Flacco, who is still a bit of a question mark heading into year 5. He’s actually taller than both Flacco and Rivers and while he doesn’t quite have Flacco’s arm strength (few do), he’s got a quicker and more fluid release than both Rivers and Flacco and he’s more athletic.

On the field this season, he always stood out to me even though I was never spotlighting him. I was very impressed with his poise, his arm strength, and his deep accuracy, in addition to his surprisingly quick delivery, his surprisingly smooth footwork, and his surprising athleticism. He looked like an NFL quarterback out there running a Pro Style offense and frequently made beautiful throws on 15-18+ yard routes. Outside of Robert Griffin, I wasn’t impressed with anyone’s deep throwing ability more than I was with Osweiler.

I had him on my watch list to be a high 1^st round pick in 2013, but he made a surprise declare as a junior with a mere 16 career starts. That decision was a head scratching one and brought up questions about his leadership and maturity. It appeared as if he was quitting on a crumbling Arizona State program that was rampant with immaturity (not just Vontaze Burfict) and lost 5 straight to end the season. Once a Pac-12 south favorite, especially after a big win over USC, Arizona State finished 6-7 and fired their Head Coach.

Had Osweiler returned for his senior season with a better coaching staff and with some of the bad apples on the team, and added another 13 starts of experience, improved on some things (accuracy, footwork, decision making, leadership), improved on his statistical production, and his win-loss record, he would have been able to distance himself from Arizona State’s rough 2011 season. There would be fewer questions about his maturity, experience and he probably would have been less raw. In that case, he probably would have gotten a high to mid first round grade from me (and I don’t give those often).

However, since he didn’t do that, I have a borderline first round grade on him. That’s still higher than most, but it’s not as high as it could be. He can affect his stock with a good (or bad) Pro Day in a few days. How he performs on his Pro Day could be the difference between the 2^nd and 3^rd/4^th round for him. I think there’s enough developmental talent that I would use a 2^nd rounder on him. I think he’s a more polished prospect than Ryan Tannehill or Brandon Weeden (even before you consider his age).

Defensive Tackle/3-4 Defensive End

UCLA

6-1 303

40 time: 5.13

Draft board overall prospect rank: #24

Draft board defensive tackle rank: #5

Overall rating: 85*

             3/27/10: I have a feeling that, if it weren’t for Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy, we’d all be singing Brian Price’s praise as a potential top 10 pick. This just adds to the idea that this is one of the strongest defensive tackle classes in recent memory. If Price had gone back to school for his senior year and continued his strong production, he would have been a top ten pick lock next year. Price had 6.5 sacks this year, the same number as McCoy, despite being about 10 pounds bigger. He also had 4 sacks last year so the idea of him being a complete one year wonder is there, though I would have preferred one more strong 6+ sack year before calling him an elite defensive tackle, which I will not. He doesn’t have Suh’s physical strength or McCoy’s agility and he doesn’t have either of their size. His lack of elite size could hurt him a lot at the next level. He does play with good leverage, but taller offensive linemen tend to almost swallow him up at times, especially if he were to play 3-4 end, though I think a 3-4 team could still take a chance on him late in the 1st (see San Diego, NY Jets) if they viewed his talent as being too good to pass on. He’s not very athletic, with shorter arms, lack of elite defensive tackle speed, and lack of height, but he’s got a huge motor. He may be maxed out in terms of physical upside, but he’s a smart, devoted player who loves the game. He has a nice explosive burst and should make for a very solid one gap penetrator, despite his lack of elite height at 6-1. In addition to this explosive first step, he’s got a good second push and doesn’t ever give up on a play or take a play off. He’s got great lower body strength and a powerful core, but he can play out of control with his burst a bit and get knocked down by taller offensive linemen with much stronger upper bodies. He should go off the board in the first round, but I would call his decision not to return to school questionable, considering how high he could have gone next year. He doesn’t have the physical tools of Suh and McCoy, but in terms of pass rushing repertoire, ability to get into the backfield, collegiate production, and pure motor, he’s right on par with Gerald McCoy

NFL Comparison: Mike Patterson

*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here

By Paul Smythe 

There has been talk this offseason about who will be the receiver who starts opposite of Brandon Marshall.

While I am not 100% positive who will be the other starter, I am 90% positive that Brian Hartline will be the starter. Some people may think that I am speaking too early, but I’m not sure about that.

Hartline has already emerged in training camp, and has shown flashes of greatness in less than a week. In a recent training camp he had a (to quote Ben Volin of The Palm Beach Post) “sick” catch that we will hopefully see more of during the season.

One of the reasons I am so confident in Hartline starting is that Head Coach Tony Sparano said that Hartline is currently the number 2 receiver, but that both Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess will have roles.

It may seem to early to crown Hartline as an official starter, but I don’t see him not being one. He was the best scoring wide receiver last year and he didn’t have near as many receptions as Bess or Camarillo.

Don’t get me wrong I love Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo. Greg Camarillo is actually my favorite offensive player on the Miami Dolphins, but I would still rather have a threat like Hartline in the game as the starter.

Just a recommendation for all you fantasy football owners out there: pick up Brain Hartline in the late rounds of the draft. He is a sleeper that not many people know about. He will be a nice surprise this year.

http://www.dolphinshout.com

At 3.5 million dollars for one year, this deal is a bargain for the 49ers and they’re almost sure to be getting the best of Edwards since it’s only a one year deal. Assuming there’s no chemistry problems between him and Michael Crabtree, this is going to be a smart short term signing.

Grade: A

Quarterback

Oklahoma State

6-4 221

Draft board overall prospect rank: #196

Draft board overall quarterback rank: #10

Overall rating: 53 (6^th rounder)

40 time: 4.95

Games watched: Oklahoma State/Texas A&M, Texas/Oklahoma State, Oklahoma State/Oklahoma

Positives

·         NFL caliber arm

·         NFL built (6-4 221)

·         Can make all the throws

·         Incredibly productive over 2 seasons as a starter (2011: 72.3%, 8.4 YPA, 37/13 TD/INT, 2010: 66.9%, 8.4 YPA, 34/13 TD/INT)

·         Mature

·         Athletic (5 years as a minor league pitcher)

·         Confident

·         Trusts his arm (gunslinger mentality)

·         Winner in a tough conference (23-3)

·         Won a lot of shoot outs

·         Beat Landry Jones, Robert Griffin, and Ryan Tannehill this season (signature win against Texas A&M)

Negatives

·         Age (29 in October)

·         Questionable decision making

·         Gunslinger who forces things

·         Overly confident in his arm on occasion

·         Gets flustered under pressure

·         Footwork needs work

·         Not a running threat

·         Very little under center experience

·         Possible system quarterback

·         Had a lot of talent around him

NFL Comparison: Jake Plummer

If Brandon Weeden were 22 or 23, I’d have a 2^nd round grade or so on him. I’m tough on quarterbacks. Basically, I’d have him lower than Brock Osweiler, who I love and think is incredibly underrated, and higher than Ryan Tannehill, who is very athletic, but raw, less experienced, less productive than Weeden, who he lost to head to head.

Weeden certainly has the upside to be an NFL starter, but I don’t think he’s quite ready. His major issues are his pocket presence and his tendency to force things. He’s got a great arm and he knows it, but he tends to make risky throws and overestimate his own abilities. Under pressure, his decision making gets worse.

These aren’t uncorrectable problems and some elements of being a gunslinger can be very useful (just ask Brett Favre), but he needs to learn to reign in his abilities. He’ll also need to learn to read more complex defenses (not a lot of those in the Big 12), play under center (he didn’t do a lot of that at Oklahoma State), and run a Pro Style offense (again, didn’t do a lot of that at Oklahoma State). For this reason, I don’t think he’s someone who can start right away.

That would be fine if he were 22 or 23, but he’s 29 in October. He’s already older than Aaron Rodgers, thanks to a 5 year failed minor league baseball career. This has some benefits. He’s mature and can handle professional sports and it shows he’s athletic. However, teams won’t have a lot of time to wait around on him. He’s a risk and a prospect who wouldn’t be able to start week 1. For this reason, I have a late round grade on him.

However, because of the demand for quarterbacks in the NFL, he could actually go in the first round. I expect him to be something who throws a lot of interceptions as he faces more complex defenses and continues to make risky throws as a habit. He’ll improve as his career goes along, but he won’t have a very long career because of his age.

I compare him to Jake Plummer because he threw a lot of interceptions early in his career before finally settling down once he teamed up with Mike Shanahan. Also, Plummer’s career wasn’t very long because he decided to retire unexpectedly (with 161 career interceptions). He also was a good athlete who played multiple sports in High School and became a professional hand ball player after his early retirement.