Football Gameplan's 2014 NFL Draft Grades - Broncos

[EmDiggy]

FBGP's 2014 NFL Draft Grades - Broncos (http://footballgameplan.com/fbgps-2014-nfl-draft-grades-denver-broncos/)

Good afternoon Broncos fans! Here's my '14 draft grades video for you guys

Enjoy!

Em

[G_Money]

Appreciate the draft feedback!

I agree that Andrew Jackson is a better thumper than Lamin Barrow, but the Broncos weren’t looking for a 2-down thumper. They needed a pass-coverage Mike who can actually tackle and play the run when necessary. They may platoon the Mike position with a pair of guys, and use a heavier one inside on run plays (Barrett or Predator, perhaps). The loss of Woodyard meant we could no longer throw a bunch of Will linebackers on the field in pass coverage situations, though, so IMO the draftpick was oriented toward supporting that part of the game. We’ll see if they made the right call.

Allen Robinson or Jarvis Landry over Latimer is another call that would seem more obvious in the immediate needs category, but with Sanders brought in and Welker added, it actually isn’t the huge need in Week One that you might think, even with the loss of Decker. Our top-4 receivers would be DT, Julius Thomas, Welker and Sanders. Latimer wasn’t the first WR on my list at our draft position either, but the Broncos know the Peyton Manning effect on wide receivers better than I do. He turned DT from a raw product into a badass and significantly refined Decker’s game as well. Julius Thomas had barely seen a football field, and look at him now. The coaches know what kind of a learning curve Manning can provoke in the right pass-catchers.

So if coaching up raw-but-talented receivers is something Manning can do quickly, then Latimer has all the physical gifts to make that work. He wouldn’t have been my pick there, but after having seen DT’s progress I can’t help but think Latimer is gonna be another huge success.

I'm dying to see these guys in camp.

~G

[TXBRONC]

Thanks Em I always enjoy hearing from you. I agree G for the most part. Where I differ with G on is what Denver is expecting from a mike linebacker. A mike linebacker in this defense isn't going to be on the field that much because Denver isn't in their base defense more than 50% of the time. However they don't want just someone who is just a thumper they wanted someone who is versatile and has good speed.

I liked the Latimer pick but I understand that there were other receivers that may have been other receivers that were more polished but how many of them have his upside?

[Simple Jaded]

I've seen Em's player rankings so this grade doesn't surprise me a bit.

Btw, a big fat "nope" on Landry, talk about special teamer.

[TXBRONC]

I've seen Em's player rankings so this grade doesn't surprise me a bit.

Btw, a big fat "nope" on Landry, talk about special teamer.

I figure most analysts are going to give Denver a C grade.

[CoachChaz]

Everyone always says you cant judge a draft for a few years and in this draft, Denver got a few kids that will fall into that category. I dont know that any of them will make a significant impact this year...but they all have the potential to be very good players with a little development. At the end of the day...that's what you're looking for when you are picking at the bottom of the draft.

[TXBRONC]

Everyone always says you cant judge a draft for a few years and in this draft, Denver got a few kids that will fall into that category. I dont know that any of them will make a significant impact this year...but they all have the potential to be very good players with a little development. At the end of the day...that's what you're looking for when you are picking at the bottom of the draft.

That's true but still talking heads will give a draft grade eventhough these kids haven't played a single down. There are two maybe three in this draft that might make noticeable contribution. Schofield might possible start at right tackle Roby and Barrow may by the midway point start making a significant contribution. I'm not banking on it but those are the three that I see as being the most likely to do so.

[underrated29]

It is of my opinion that roby will be starting on the outside from day one and Harris in the slot.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

It is of my opinion that roby will be starting on the outside from day one and Harris in the slot.

Chris's recovery greatly increases the likelihood of that happening. I doubt they want to bring him along too fast.

[CoachChaz]

Harris has the benefit of only suffering a partial tear. Much shorter recovery time from that. In fact...he probably could have played with it if it were an absolute emergency. I'm confident he'll be recovered and I'd be ecstatic if Roby was ready to play from day one.

[Traveler]

FBGP's 2014 NFL Draft Grades - Broncos (http://footballgameplan.com/fbgps-2014-nfl-draft-grades-denver-broncos/)

Good afternoon Broncos fans! Here's my '14 draft grades video for you guys

Enjoy!

Em

EM lost me when he stated he preferred Jackson over Barrow. Most grades on Jackson had him anywhere from 6-7 draft choice to UDFA. As G-Money stated above, Jackson doesn't fit the Broncos need at MLB. Also, assigning a grade so soon after the draft is senseless until we can see what they do on the field.

While we may not agree with whom was selected by beloved team, it's good to see opinions slowly changing by BF members who were initially critical of the teams choices.

[TXBRONC]

It is of my opinion that roby will be starting on the outside from day one and Harris in the slot.

But your opinion doesn't count. :heh:


J/K

[TXBRONC]

Chris's recovery greatly increases the likelihood of that happening. I doubt they want to bring him along too fast.

Right now Roby getting worked into the slot unless he's absolute beast and out plays Harris. I like the kid and look forward to seeing what he can do but I'm don't think he's ready to start just yet.

[G_Money]

Roby didn't play a lot of slot corner in college. Harris has played a ton and is very good at it. We're gonna face several teams with good slot receivers who need to be shut down.

If Roby is anywhere near as good as Harris outside, and Harris is way better than Roby in the slot, then Roby will play outside. Not because he's necessarily better than Harris, but because Harris is invaluable as a guy who is a plus defensive back at ANY position, while Roby may only be good on the outside. We can either deal with Roby's growing pains while he adjusts to a new role, or let him be more comfortable while Harris does everything else.

~G

[G_Money]

I'm not sold on Barrow or Schofield, FWIW (ie, not much), but it's definitely a draft that will bloom a year or two down the line. The problem will be keeping all the guys we want to bloom from it, drafted and UDFA. Not a lot of available positions, so some backup vets may bite it to give the kids more room.

Latimer and Roby could make it a really impressive draft at the top, though - love the WAY Roby listens to questions, like he's hunting em down. He doesn't just offer mindless platitudes, the brain's always working. He's a smart kid. If he can stop those instances of playing dumb, look out. As a rookie he can get all the time the coaches wanna give him. I hope they're investing well.

~G

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I'm not sold on Barrow or Schofield, FWIW (ie, not much), but it's definitely a draft that will bloom a year or two down the line. The problem will be keeping all the guys we want to bloom from it, drafted and UDFA. Not a lot of available positions, so some backup vets may bite it to give the kids more room.

Latimer and Roby could make it a really impressive draft at the top, though - love the WAY Roby listens to questions, like he's hunting em down. He doesn't just offer mindless platitudes, the brain's always working. He's a smart kid. If he can stop those instances of playing dumb, look out. As a rookie he can get all the time the coaches wanna give him. I hope they're investing well.

~G

I agree with most of what you said, but I like Barrow. I think Denver really drafted him so we would have help in the nickel right away. Just having Trevathan and a SS is not enough. People will just run the draw on 3rd and 8.

[Cugel]

Appreciate the draft feedback!

I agree that Andrew Jackson is a better thumper than Lamin Barrow, but the Broncos weren’t looking for a 2-down thumper. They needed a pass-coverage Mike who can actually tackle and play the run when necessary. They may platoon the Mike position with a pair of guys, and use a heavier one inside on run plays (Barrett or Predator, perhaps). The loss of Woodyard meant we could no longer throw a bunch of Will linebackers on the field in pass coverage situations, though, so IMO the draftpick was oriented toward supporting that part of the game. We’ll see if they made the right call.

Allen Robinson or Jarvis Landry over Latimer is another call that would seem more obvious in the immediate needs category, but with Sanders brought in and Welker added, it actually isn’t the huge need in Week One that you might think, even with the loss of Decker. Our top-4 receivers would be DT, Julius Thomas, Welker and Sanders. Latimer wasn’t the first WR on my list at our draft position either, but the Broncos know the Peyton Manning effect on wide receivers better than I do. He turned DT from a raw product into a badass and significantly refined Decker’s game as well. Julius Thomas had barely seen a football field, and look at him now. The coaches know what kind of a learning curve Manning can provoke in the right pass-catchers.

So if coaching up raw-but-talented receivers is something Manning can do quickly, then Latimer has all the physical gifts to make that work. He wouldn’t have been my pick there, but after having seen DT’s progress I can’t help but think Latimer is gonna be another huge success.

I'm dying to see these guys in camp. ~G

I would say 100% agree. You had to listen to John Elway explaining his thinking on the draft to understand his picks, which this guy apparently did not. They're picking guys who will fit in with THEIR roster, not just grabbing guys for a fantasy team!

Thus, they were looking for a cover-guy at LB who can come in in nickel packages, and that was Lamin Barrow's strong point.

As for Cody Latimer, they project him as a potential future #1 WR based on his physical tools, but he's quite raw and will probably not break into the starting lineup given the complexity of Peyton Manning's offense this season. They've got Caldwell and Sanderson so they don't need him right now.

What this pick really is about is the potential for having a true #1 WR in 2015 if they decide not to re-sign D.T. That could happen if Peyton Manning retires for instance. Do they then re-sign D.T. and commit to paying him a $12 million roster bonus, plus about $9 million a year? Or do they move in another direction?

Personally, I would like to see them re-sign Demaryius but they might decide it's not cost effective to pay a WR that much. And WRs have been getting really big contracts recently. DT is only signed through this season, and it's going to cost them a mint to re-sign him as a FA next season. The fact that they have not made any effort to extend his contract indicates to me that they are going to let him walk at the end of the year.

Remember that the Bears just re-signed Brandon Marshall to a new contract:


Bears signed WR Brandon Marshall to a three-year, $30 million extension through 2018.
In what we believe is a first, Marshall signed his deal live on the daytime talk show "The View." The extension is tacked onto the $9.3 million he was previously owed in 2014, putting Marshall on the books for $39.3 million over the next four seasons. The "new money" includes $23 million guaranteed. It's a ton of coin for a sometimes mercurial player on the wrong side of 30, but Marshall has certainly earned it with on-field dominance. Since joining the Bears two years ago, he's averaged 109 catches for 1401.5 yards and 11.5 touchdowns per season. With Bromance partner Jay Cutler and quarterback whisperer Marc Trestman locked in place, we don't see a letdown coming anytime soon. May 19 - 12:14 PM

D.T. is a better WR than Marshall, so he could command even more money. So, this could be Marshall's last season in Denver. He would be the top WR FA next off-season. Ten million a year, $23 million guaranteed. That's a lot. But, less than what D.T. will earn next season.