Lancane's Pre Free Agency Mock Draft
Round 1: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager of the Denver Broncos, John Elway has proven one thing in his previous three drafts, he's patient and sticks to his Draft Board. He doesn't overreact, knee-jerk and jump the gun and his philosophy is to take the Best Player Available off his board, he was rewarded in the 2013 NFL Draft with Defensive Tackle Sylvester Williams who many had slated to be long gone before the Broncos picked and who simply fell into his lap. I look at this draft and see much the same possibility, but unlike with Sly Williams last year, Elway will be rewarded with finally filling a spot on the roster that he's been trying to fix since coming to Denver, the Mike Linebacker position by drafting arguably the best inside linebacker of the draft. Some will question why I have him falling this far, the reason is two-fold, first he had off games this season where he was still great but not to the point where his play made the difference in those contests. Secondly, look for the more pass rush capable linebackers to get higher marks on boards due to the copycat nature of the league.
Mosley is known for playing fast, physical football and has proven to be a real asset in the pass defense for Alabama which the Denver Broncos severely struggled with this previous season. He does well in man coverage and is excellent in zone which is another plus for Denver, he is stout against the run and can even make some noise in rushing the passer. With All-Pro Von Miller expected to return who steps up to come off the edge in zone packages as well as 2013 breakout Danny Trevathan who manned the Will position, Mosley might well give the Broncos the best linebacker corps. in the league and the best corps. Broncos' fans have seen since their back-to-back Super Bowl Championships.
Alternative Pick: David Yankey, OL, Stanford
Round 2: Robert Herron, WR, Wyoming
The Denver Broncos are likely to part ways with Eric Decker and Andre Caldwell who are both Unrestricted Free Agents, not to mention that Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas are all slated to be Unrestricted Free Agents the following off-season. The Broncos have to make strides to counter the lack of depth at the position as well as prepare for the future. Herron plays bigger then his 5'9 193lbs. frame would suggest. He's a trailblazer with a track and field background, he also has split time at the running back position and could well counter the loss of Knowshon Moreno who is likewise an Unrestricted Free Agent. Despite his size, Herron is considered a big-play specialist with terrific body control and toughness, he has been known to out jump defenders to get to the ball. Most have him moving to the slot and believe he needs to learn cleaner route running, who better to learn from then Wes Welker, one of the best in the game.
Alternative Pick: Yawin Smallwood, ILB, Connecticut
Round 3: Michael Sam, DE, Missouri
John Elway admitted that he'd draft Sam after the talented defensive lineman and SEC Defensive Player of the Year admitted that he was an openly gay athlete with the media weeks ago. While some teams especially those in more conservative venues will be hesitant to draft Sam, Denver and Seattle are two teams I feel may target the young man earlier then some would have expected to begin with. The mere fact that a solid pro prospect that has the ability to rush the passer so frequently is still available at this spot is mind boggling but then again the same was said about Elvis Dumervil the year the Broncos drafted him. The Broncos according to NFLN are in contract talks with Shaun Phillips' agent and even if that is true, Phillips is at the tail end of his career and will eventually need replaced. There is also the fact that Denver has five defensive ends under contract, Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe who's health is still in question, Quanterus Smith who despite his physical ability is yet to play a down at the pro level due to his senior season ending injury, the other two are John Youboty and Hall Davis who most would consider team fodder/practice squad players at this point. The Broncos can not ignore the woes of the defensive front which was their weakest unit this past season. Sam has all the tools and while some will consider drafting him to be sort of a sideshow with a heavy media following, the Broncos will know how to handle it, after all if they can deal with the Tebowites the circus that followed having him on the roster, then this would be nothing compared to that headache.
Alternative Pick: Josh Huff, WR, Oregon
Round 4: Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada
Again, John Elway's patience will payoff. Despite his legitimacy as a left tackle at the collegiate ranks, his size 6'4 304lbs. and overall ability better projects inside at the pro level better then outside. Though some believe he could easily transition outside to right tackle, this is the Broncos answer to the loss of Zane Beadles to Free Agency more then the shared belief of moving Orlando Franklin inside and finding another right tackle or giving the position outright to Ryan Clady's backup Chris Clark who played well in his absence at Left Tackle. This is a long-term answer, and even if the Broncos move Franklin inside and Clark to right tackle there is a need for depth at the position, plus both lineman will be Free Agents next off-season, this would be the answer to the loss of at least one of those two. He reminds me of Mark Schlereth and has been compared to Marshall Newhouse.
Alternative Pick: Josh Mauro, DE, Stanford
Round 5: Walt Aikens, DB, Liberty
This could end up being the steal of the draft for the Broncos in my humble opinion. Walt Aikens originally went to Illinois where he impressed and started five contests as a freshman at safety. After some trouble with the law for theft he was kicked off the team and he chose to go to Liberty where he eventually switched to corner becoming a three time Big South All Conference honoree and helped the defense become one of the best pass defenses at the collegiate level. At 6'1 and 205lbs. he fits the leagues new prominence with taller defensive backs to counter the taller wideouts that have started to dominate the NFL. Denver is known for taking mid to late round risks and taking kids from smaller programs, he fits the mold in both cases and could be a huge payoff for the Broncos. He could be a solid corner starting opposite of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who I believe Denver will eventually re-sign to a long-term deal, however, I could see him also becoming the eventual replacement for Rahim Moore who has been a solid but lackluster as being once labeled a ball hawk and shies away from the physicality of the position.
Alternative Pick: Bryan Stork, C, Florida State
Round 6: Matt Hazel, WR, Coastal Carolina
Hazel separated himself from other wideouts at the East-West Shrine Game running smooth routes and catching everything thrown his way. Despite not possessing the elite size or speed most covet at 6'1 196lbs. Hazel has good overall acceleration and hands which should translate well to the pro level as a number two wide receiver on a team's roster. Going to Denver would be perfect fit for Hazel because he'll be given the chance to really grow having one of the top quarterbacks in the game instruct him in Peyton Manning and being able to sit behind the likes of Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker.
Alternative Pick: Tre Boston, DB, North Carolina
Round 7: Corey Linsley, C, Ohio State
Manny Ramirez manned the center position for the Broncos in 2013 and earned mixed reviews. On one hand Ramirez held his own in the middle allowing few to shed blocks, on the other he had a knack for making boneheaded mistakes similar to the fubar safety on the first play in the Super Bowl. He has earned the right to compete at the position and the Broncos are in need of depth at the position with J.D. Walton's release and backup Steve Vallos entering Free Agency. Linsley is a track and field star who is an unmovable mountain off the line, has quick feet and good understanding of the position. One of the strongest lineman in the draft, he is considered more of a tough as nails, durable, lunch pail lineman that handles his job but does not exceed expectations due to lacking elite talent.
Alternative Pick: Kain Colter, WR, Northwest
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Northman
