Denver Broncos Draft Review

1st Round, Pick #2: Von Miller (OLB Texas A&M)

I heard all the talk over the past 2 days about how Denver was poised to take Von Miller here at the 2nd overall pick, but I just could not get myself to believe they would do something so stupid! This one makes me even more mad than the Newton pick because this is simple X's and O's stuff. Linebackers are completely useless unless there is a functioning defensive line in front of them, which Denver does not have. The opponents offensive line will be able to easily block the D-Lineman, and then move on to taking the linebackers out of the play. And on top of that, Von Miller can't stop the run! He is a tremendous pass rusher, but when he is going to be double teamed on every pass rushing situation, and stonewalled against the run, he will not be able to get much done. Denver should have done what they wanted to do all along and take a stud defensive tackle in Marcell Dareus.

Grade- F

2nd Round, Pick #45: Rahim Moore (Safety UCLA)

After totaling bombing with their first pick, Denver did a very good job here by taking the classes #1 Safety prospect. Brian Dawkins is about done, and former 2nd round pick Darcell McBath is nothing special, so new young talent was needed. Rahim Moore is about as good as they get when it comes to instincts and ball skills. He is a true Ball Hawk who reads the QB very well, diagnoses plays very quickly, and takes great angles with the ball in the air. He does struggle in run support, and I question whether he is big, and physical enough to be reliable. He misses a good deal of tackles, and often times seems reluctant to get physical. He at least will provide the centerfielder that team needs to protect over the top, and with some development, he could be a very solid, complete player. Good value here.

Grade- B+

2nd Round, Pick #46: Orlando Franklin (Guard/Tackle Miami)

I'm not as high on Orlando Franklin as many people are, and I think this was a little bit too high for him. He played tackle in college, but I watched him a lot, and regularly saw him get abused to the outside, as he just is not quick and agile enough to play on the edge at a high level. I think he will be a solid guard prospect because he has excellent size and strength, but with all the holes that Denver has on their roster, I think this pick could have been better served to get an impact player.

Grade- C-

3rd Round, Pick #67: Nate Irving (LB NC State)

Love this pick here as I think Nate Irving is an extremely underrated player, who will have a long and productive NFL Career. Not only his football career, but his life was in jeopardy just over 2 years ago when Irving was in a horrific car accident that left him with a Separated shoulder, broken rips, compound leg fracture and collapsed lung. He missed a year of football, but came back this past year, and you would hardly have known a difference. Irving was still the same guy who plays at 110 MPH, and dishing out pain on a regular basis. I love Irving as a football player and I also love his passion, effort, and hard working attitude that he brings. Irving will be a very good player for a long time in the league.

Grade- A

4th Round, Pick #108: Quinton Carter (Safety Oklahoma)

This is a great value for Quinton Carter as he is a guy who could be a terrific safety at the next level, or out of the league very quickly. He is a boom or bust pick because of his lack of speed. He is great in run support, is very physical, and is a sure tackler, but he ran a 4.62 40 at the combine which is not good at all for a DB. He actually did OK in coverage while at Oklahoma, he has 13 career interceptions and displayed good instincts and ball skills. But his ability to turn and run with NFL level receivers, and keep up with sharp route runners is a huge question mark. I like Carter, and I have seen him perform at a high level on big stages, but I wouldn't be shocked if he is out of the league very quickly. But low risk here.

Grade- A-

4th Round, Pick #129: Julius Thomas (TE Portland State)

This is a luxury pick that I do not believe Denver was in a position to make. Denver has huge holes across the board, especially on the defensive line which they failed to address. Taking a project tight end, who isn't going to help out anytime soon, is not what a team that was picking 2nd overall needs to be doing. Thomas is a fantastic athlete, and a former Basketball player. His upside is off the charts, but taking a tight end like this, while much of the roster is in shambles is irresponsible.

Grade- F

6th Round, Pick #189: Mike Mohamed (LB California)

Why Denver just refused to address what is their biggest need, and one of the most important position groups on the field, the defensive line, is beyond me. Denver could not stop the run to save their lives last year, and it isn't going to get any better this year. Mike Mohamed will be a solid depth guy, and be very good on special teams, but he isn't going to make a big impact, and won't help this team win any games this year.

Grade- D+

7th Round, Pick #204: Virgil Green (TE Nevada)

This pick I can live with, because this is just a terrific value in the 7th round. Green is a phenomenal athlete who stole the show at the combine, running a 4.5, and showing great explosiveness. He is a bit undersized at just over 6-3, but if you can pick up an athlete like this in the 7th round, you are making the most out of your selection. On a side note, if Denver had known that they could have gotten Green here, I highly doubt they would have taken Julius Thomas earlier.

Grade- B+

7th Round, Pick #247: Jeremy Beal (DE/OLB Oklahoma)

Finally, they at least attempt to help the defensive line. Jeremy Beal was a very productive, but inconsistent player at Oklahoma. At times, he looked like an early round pick, flashing a good blend of strength and quickness. But there were plenty of times where Beal looked like a total scrub with an in-ability to get off blocks, and getting dominated at the line of scrimmage. Beal has talent, but he needs to be put in the right scheme, and needs to be coached up to reach his potential.

Grade- B