Hiko wrote:If I'm Denver, I'm drafting D this draft and seeing if Orton is good enough to manage the team. If he is, then great - you didn't mortgage the future to draft a "franchise" QB (especially since drafting a QB high has plenty of chance of backfiring).
If he isn't, then you have plenty of good options out there next year - McCoy, Bradford, hell, I even like Tebow more than Stafford and Sanchez.
McDaniels has more than one year to win. I don't care what the fans say.
Denver is probably going to be forced to draft defense to keep that D above water so they had better not miss and in addition they had better get immediate production from the first round.
McDaniels lost his honeymoon period in the court of public opinion. He's on thin ice but Bowlen can't ditch him without losing face. And you NEVER pass on a franchise QB with the idea that you can 'easily get' a franchise QB the following year. NEVER.
This is how I project the top twenty picks to go with one trade up for Sanchez but I don't think the Broncos have the stones to make the deal.
Fergus NFL mock draft 20091.Detroit Lions- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia 6-21/4, 225, 4.81
0-16 with Daunte Culpepper starting. No stability at QB for decades. This puts a face on the franchise and provides stability. Matt started as a true freshman so he’s smart and has lots of starts to evaluate. He’s got prototypical size and a big time arm to fit into tight corners yet he also has nice touch as well. He has shown that he can overcome adversity so he can take the heat of starting in Detroit. "They need a franchise quarterback and he fits the system because of the big arm you need to feed Calvin Johnson," said Detroit Free Press' Lions beat writer Nicholas Cotsonika.
2. St. Louis Rams- Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia 6-51/4, 309, 5.23
They lose Pace but find a young stud replacement to man the helm for the next decade, nice! Last year they missed out on Jake Long and it ate at them. They choose Monroe over Smith due to being a better run blocker for RB Steven Jackson. St. Louis finished 25th in rushing yards per game and 27th in the league in sacks allowed. "They have a great need for tackle, and will likely go that route unless Aaron Curry has a super high grade. People inside the building are split on Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe," said Jim Thomas, Rams beat writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Monroe has had a lot of experience and played great during his career at Virginia. He had some injury issues but when he was healthy he was dominate. He has great athleticism and has the long arms to be successful in the NFL.
3. Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest 6-13/4, 254, 4.56
Getting Cassel allows the Chiefs to zero in on the transition to the 3-4 and that means linebackers. Mike Vrabel is the perfect tutor for Curry who is s thumper who can, drop, stack and shed, decent in coverage, and he looks like he can come off the edge. Pioli took the DROY in Mayo last year and he might make it two DYORs in a row with Curry..
"Linebacker by far is their weakest area considering they had to bring in two guys off the street last year. Jason Smith would be a close second," said Kent Babb, Kansas City Star Chiefs writer.
4. Seattle Seahawks- Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech 6-13/8, 215, 4.55
I think Crabby could turn out to be the BPOD (Best Player Of the Draft). Prototypical size, great route runner, fantastic lateral quickness, shows solid cuts/fakes. Lacks blazing speed but attacks the ball in flight with glue-like mitts and then turns up field with perfect body control to find the most direct route away from the defender to gain separation AFTER the catch. Has an eye for the first down marker and goal line. The Seahawks lack playmakers even after landing old T.J. Houshmandzadeh in free agency. The Hawks took a big swing and missed in free agency with Deion Branch and didn’t get stellar production from Nate Burleson but rookie TE Carlson turned in a solid first year. The hole at WR still remains because Branch had his knee scoped after the season and Burleson is coming off an ACL injury. Also Housh is 32 so the Hawks are still in need of playmakers and Crabtree is a blue-chip playmaker at an area of need.
"I don't think they'll take a tackle based on (GM) Tim Ruskell's history in the draft with the Bucs and the Falcons. He's only taken one offensive lineman in the first round since becoming a director of college scouting. Plus, they are going to a zone blocking scheme. Finding a playmaker is their biggest need," said Danny O'Neil, Seahawks beat writer for the Seattle Times.
5. Cleveland Browns- Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB Texas 6-3, 263, 4.70
Should be able to convert from a DE to a hybrid OLB/DE since he has experience dropping to linebacker with the Horns. Has a great first step rushing from the outside with strength to get down in a four-point stance inside from the DT position where his burst can pay huge dividends to a team like the Browns whose biggest area of need was shoring up the pass rush. Uber athletic freak who threw up, 31 reps on the bench, ran a 4.63 forty, and showed hops with a 39.5 vertical leap. A weight room junkie who can bull rush, known to have power as an interior rusher in passing situations, and is decent in coverage. Browns traveled to Austin to personally work out Orakpo and have brought him into Bureau. The Browns are in dire need of a pass rusher finishing with a paltry 17 sacks the second fewest in the league. Nagurski Award winner as "the best defensive player in the country". NFL draft guru Mike Mayock compares Orakpo favorably to Demarcus Ware....he said "I think he can be that type of player". Plus he can put the hand down and rush when they line-up in a 4-3 and play OLB when they are in a 3-4 (most teams do both at different points in a game)......which means he can be "an every down player"..and that adds value.
6. Cincinnati Bengals- Jason Smith, OT, Baylor 6-41/4, 325, 5.28
Fortune smiles on the Bengals for a change as they get the most athletic OLT in the draft. Smith a converted TE has great footwork and projects very well to protect Carson Palmer’s blind-side. The reason Jason falls is because in Baylor’s offense they had Smith lining up in a two-point stance so there are some concerns about his ability as a run blocker. Tough, smart, hard worker, great kick step, likes to hit opponents. “When I'm on the field, I take a lot of pride in physically assaulting people," he said with a smile. "As for finishing them off, that's a part of the block."
"The top priority is protecting Carson Palmer and the tackles are sketchy. Levy Jone' status is murky, and Stacy Andrews bolted in free agency. They'd love it if Smith is there because he's a character guy,"said Geoff Hobson, beat writer for Bengals.com.
7. Oakland Raiders- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama - 6-41/4, 325, 5.28
The guy that the Raiders were targeting all along in the draft. Smith will start from day one. They made a weak move and sniffed around Khalif Barnes and Orlando Pace but a deep OLT crop didn’t force them to put earnest money down on an offensive linemen who would only have been a head fake to conceal their true plans of drafting Andre Smith. "They need help all along the line and right now they don't have any good tackles. Andre can start for the Raiders right away. [Missouri WR] Jeremy Maclin is a close second, but they have a guy just like him in Johnny Lee Higgins, and the Raiders went out of their way to let everyone know they are happy with the receivers they've got," said Jason Jones, Raiders beat writer for the Sacramento Bee.
8. *TRADE* Jacksonville Jaguars trade with-
Washington Redskins who select -
Mark Sanchez QB USC 6-21/8, 227, 4.87
Jacksonville’s coach Jack Del Rio shocked the NFL world a few years back when he unceremoniously dumped Byron Leftwitch and named David Garrard as his starting quarterback a week before the season began. Del Rio and the Jags have spent more time with Sanchez than ANY other team in the league, hmmnnn. People will say that Jacksonville inked David Garrard to a long-term $60 million contract so they couldn’t possibly be thinking quarterback besides the Jags desperately need WRs and furthermore Del Rio is under the gun so he doesn’t have the time or luxury to develop a rookie QB so he has to take a pass on Sanchez. Mark Sanchez is coming out early and only had 16 college starts but he stepped up and had a fantastic Pro Day. A top ten pick is risky but if the Jags think he’s a franchise quarterback that they have to take a shot. The Jags are positioned perfectly for a trade-down because Sanchez won’t make it past the Niners and they’ve made enough noise that anyone wanting the last franchise QB is going to have to bust a move to the eighth pick. The Skins not only lost out on Cutler but they haven’t re-upped Jason Cambell. They made their intentions known about how they truly feel about Cambell so they are in the market for Sanchez and will make a better offer than Denver to seal the deal with Jacksonville.
"They're [franchise QBs] hard to come by," said Bill Polian, president of the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has no quarterback problem. "If you don't have a good one who can lead you from behind, who can win games in the fourth quarter, then you have to have an absolutely dominant defense and you must have a dominant running game and you must have a dominant kicking game. It's that simple. That's the formula if you don't have the quarterback." Former Redskins and Texans GM Charley Casserly on USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. "How do you pass a quarterback when you're not settled at that position?".
9. Green Bay Packers- B.J. Raji. DT/NT, Boston College 6-11/2, 337, 5.13
The Pack is making the 3-4 switch so they need a nose so Raji is a perfect fit. B.J. is a monster who can play zero or three technique so he’s highly versatile and a perfect fit for the Packers. B.J. is like Shuan Rodgers in that he is a disrupting force that sabotages blocking schemes. The Pack would never have a shot but B.J. DID FAIL one drug test while at BC and their were other ‘rumors’ of a failed test that have been refuted. Not much a huge slide down the draft board but enough for the Pack to clean up with this selection.
10. San Francisco 49ers- Everette Brown, DE, Florida State 6-11/2, 256, 4.73
San Fran would have preferred Orakpo who has better size and strength but they are happy to settle for Brown who isn’t as big but has more pass rush moves. Brown may not be large enough to be counted on against the run but he can bring the heat on passing downs.
11. Buffalo Bills- Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State 6-33/4, 249, 4.88
The Bills biggest need is finding a pass rusher so they would have liked to snag Everette Brown but they are glad to land on a bed of feathers with Maybin. The Bills finished fourth from the bottom in getting to the QB last year so they are fortunate that this is a deep crop of pass rushing linebackers enables them to come away with a blue-chipper pass rusher in Maybin. The problem is that there are legitimate concerns that Aaron may not have an NFL size frame built up enough in his rookie season to contribute all that much this year but the Bills have to grab the last remaining legit pass rusher on the board and will reap the rewards in the future.
12. Denver Broncos- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU 6-41/8, 296, 4.95
The Broncos would have loved to get Sanchez to fill the void left by the trade of Jay Cutler and secretly were hoping that somehow that B.J. Raji would fall to them but that was a pipe dream so they settle for Tyson Jackson. Denver has a glaring need on their D-Line for big-bodied 3-4 linemen so they reach a bit on their board and bypass CB Malcom Jenkins. They won’t be able to fill their biggest need to replace Cutler but they can address their biggest need on defense with Tyson. Tyson is a big body who can rush the QB and eat up blockers so he should be able to stay on the field for all three downs and should fit nicely on their 3-4 D-Line. A bit of a reach but he has potential to blow up.
13. **TRADE** Washington Redskins trade with-
Jacksonville Jaguars who select-
Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri 6-01/8, 198, 4.46
Glaring need meets a decent prospect and if the Jags can arrange a trade-down then they won’t be reaching and can get some compensation in return. Solid production, nice size, good nuff speed, solid hands, quick acceleration, and can return kicks.
14. New Orleans Saints- Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State 6-01/8. 204, 4.55
Nice size, over six foot for a corner but the slowish forty time is the reason for the slight slip down the board. Worst case scenario is that Jenkins will make the switch to safety but the Saints will be glad to get a ‘potential’ lock down corner or cover-safety to help firm up their secondary.
15. Houston Texans- Rey Maualuga, LB, USC - 6-13/4, 249, 4.82
The Texans were looking at Rey‘s USC team mate (Clay Mathews III) because they didn‘t expect him to drop into their laps but they‘ll take him. Proto typical size but so-so speed and comes with questions as to whether or not that he can be more than a two-down linebacker that would be a detriment in the passing game. Their isn’t any concerns over Rey’s toughness or his intimidating physical-style of play. A thumper!
16. San Diego Chargers- Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio ST. 6-1, 235, 4.59
The Bolts would have loved to have gotten Rey but they’ll take the first running back off the boards in Beanie Wells who improved on his forty time from the slow 4.59 to a solid 4.4 at his Ohio State pro day workout. Big back who doesn’t go down easy and has great burst and speed to go the distance. Solid production, good stiff arm, and like Jamal Lewis gets better as the game goes on but also like Lewis he’s not a threat to turn the corner so his best work is between the tackles. An opportunity pick that should increase his carries later in the season as LaDalian’s career winds down.
17. New York Jets- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia - 5-105/8, 217, 4.61
True that Moreno doesn’t have elite or even good speed but he’s a talent and Thomas Jones is 31 years old. The Jets got rid of Laveranues Coles but they reportedly have an interest in Torry Holt so I looked past the temptation of plugging in a WR here. Also Josh Freeman is not a viable franchise QB IMHO so I think the Jets would love to have Knowshon. Elusive, hits hole hard, good hands and runs solid routes so he should work his way in on passing downs. Doesn’t cough the ball up, leader.
18. *Trade* Bears to
Broncos (for QB Jay Cutler) Denver selects-
Brian Cushing, LB Southern California 6-27/8, 243, 4.74
Not one of the blue-chipper LBers fall to the Broncos but they land a solid prospect. Nice size, sheds blocks, smart, hard worker, and a willing special teamer so he’ll pay an immediate return on coverage units if nothing else. Still untapped upside but not as gifted as the blue chippers who went off the board in the top ten. The Broncos should trade this pick and a conditional pick next year to Cleveland for QB Brady Quinn but if Cushing is on deck they will roll the dice.
(if you’re keeping track the Broncos had Jay Cutler and in this mock would get Brian Cushing in return, hardly an even swap especially if Cush doesn’t blow up)19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas ST.- 6-53/4, 248, 4.97
Joe Flacco redux? The Bucs are in DIRE straights at QB so if for some reason the Broncos (not very likely since Freeman is a terrible fit for McDaniel’s offense) or the Jets (possible but I don’t think Freeman grades out high on anyone’s list other than the Bucs) but Tampa’s new HC Raheem Morris was on the K-State coaching staff with Freeman and the Bucs have been very busy checking him out. Josh has a gun for an arm so he can make all of the throws but the problem is that he’s not very accurate when making those throws. He has great size, he’s coachable, solid work ethic, loads of potential, leader, etc… I don’t think anyone but the Bucs will bite and it could work out for them but I’m skeptical.
20 Detroit (from Dallas)- Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi- 6-6, 333, 5.19
The Lions need help protecting the passer having given up 52 sacks last year so they land a four year starter from the SEC. He has the athletic ability to play the blind side but can play any position on the line so he doesn’t have to unseat Jeff Backus to gain a starting spot on Detroit’s line. Has a mean streak. After landing Stafford they need to keep him upright so the QB/OLT combo would be optimal for Detroit. If Oher develops quickly he could give Detroit the option of moving Backus inside.
I think that Grossi might be onto something in speculating that BQ 'could' be on Denver's radar with the 18th pick. I think that is not enough to get in exchange especially if Quinn blows up with the Donkeys so a more reasonable suggestion would be the Bronco's 18th pick in this draft with a conditional pick next year.
I would think a conditional pick, minimum a third rounder that could go up to a first round pick depending on how well Quinn does with Denver, would be reasonable.
Orton isn't the answer especially if Chicago came to that conclusion so he's not going to blow up in Denver. The Broncos have two first rounders next year so if they made a deal this year and ended up with a franchise QB to replace Cutler and had to surrender one of those picks then I'm sure they would gladly do so.
The sooner they get a replacement for Cutler the better. A late first round pick for Quinn is too cheap alone but a pot sweetener of a third next year that could go up to a first would work for both sides. The conditions for a first next year would cover both teams. BQ has loads of upside potential so if he blows up the Browns would be covered. If he were traded then he would overtake Orton and Simms to become a starter right away. Many have speculated that he would mesh well with McDaniel's coaching style and he already knows his offensive system since he ran it at ND. It really does make sense if a fair compensation could be worked out to satisfy both sides.
Ofcourse that deal would have to go down prior to the draft so we could put Sanchez under the scope. I think McDaniel's would prefer to keep his #12 pick AND also land his franchise QB. That might be a big enough PR coupe to get the Bronco fans squarely back on his side.
and you got two guys who have bearly sprouted their first NFL pubes.
