Not being a college fan, I have little more to go on than that:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/tracke...team-input:den
I'm a bit irate we didn't get a G OR MLB. I know we got Schofield, and saw some folks say he's started at G in the past, but a 301 lb. G doesn't sound like a road grader, especially at 6'6", and NFL.coms list of Schofields strengths and weaknesses reflect that:
"
Good run blocker -- drives his legs on contact and generates some power through his lower body" but "
Not an explosive drive blocker who can clear holes with regularity.... Late to reach the second level." Even more worrisome are the intervening notes "
Average foot quickness. Tends to overextend and lunge in-line and on the move. Marginal reactive quickness and recovery speed for the outside. Exposed by edge speed (see Michigan State vs. Shilique Calhoun)—cannot cut off the wide rush and struggles to handle quick, inside counters" That's what got Chris Clark, and thus Peyton Manning, in so much trouble so often last year.
NFL.com projected our 3rd round pick as a 4th-5th rounder, summing up his "bottom line" thus: "
Quick-footed college right tackle with experience playing on the inside and offers versatility as a utility swing backup. Possesses eventual-starter potential, but could always be restricted by athletic limitations and leave teams desiring better."
It's similar with Barrow: Yes, he's a LB, but 6'1" 237 lbs. with a 4.64 doesn't look much like a MIDDLE LB. This sounds good: "
Moves well laterally. Can redirect and chase. Drops easily into zone coverage and shows hip swivel and range. Tough and football smart. Highly respected and hardworking team captain. Has special-teams experience and traits."
THIS sounds awful: "
Small-framed -- is short and lacks ideal bulk. Lacks elite speed for his size. Average eyes and instincts. Gives ground at the point of attack. Does not play downhill or make enough plays at/behind the line -- too much production is downfield. Leaves production on the field -- in position but does not finish. Overruns plays (loses contain). Sucked in by playaction. Not a striker."
What he really sounds like is a slower thinner DJ Williams, whose brief stint as our starting MLB was a disaster, and who always drew criticism from many Broncos fans (NOT including me) for getting to ball carriers quickly only to be dragged downfield instead of laying them out on contact. Like Schofield, NFL.com projected Barrow as a 4th-5th rounder, which is where we took him, and stated HIS "bottom line" as "
Undersized, athletic, run-around see-and-go reactor who needs to be protected to be effective. Projects as a Will linebacker, nickel defender and special-teams contributor."
Coming into the draft it looked like our best MLB was Nate Irving and our best LG was ?; coming out of the draft, it looks the same because nothing of note has changed.
Moving to the higher more prominent picks, NFL.com ALSO projected 2nd round pick Cody Latimer in the 4th-5th round, concluding their analysis by saying he "has a ceiling as a No. 3" WR, and projected Roby as a 1st rounder who "has a ceiling as a No. 2" CB. I'm less than enthused by spending our top two picks on a No. 2 CB and No. 3 WR with ceilings.
Proof's in the pudding; where there's life there's hope. Anyone know how much cap space is left to sign a FA starting LG/RB, and who's available?