Forum Mock Results

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OK here's something to take your mind off of the harsh reality that is the Denver Broncos offseason.

I did a forum mock with Denver. How'd I do?


Denver Broncos Offseason Review

We needed to improve the defense, and I think we did just that. We needed to blow everything up and start from scratch as Mike Nolan is implementing a new 3-4 defense. D.J. Williams and Wesley Woodyard are both good young linebackers, but we felt they didn't fit so well in the 3-4. Dealing them allowed us to acquire more draft picks that we would parlay into players that fit the 3-4. In free agency we added Channing Crowder, a solid young inside 'backer with 3-4 experience, along with veteran OLBs Bertrand Berry and Roosevelt Colvin. While Berry and Colvin have both already played their best football, the signings were more to help develop youngsters Elvis Dumervil and Jarvis Moss, who have all the potential in the world but could use some guidance. Howard Green was also signed for depth at nose tackle. Offensively we have one of the best young groups in the entire league (until our coach for some reason tried to trade our QB), so all we went after was a quality depth player at WR (David Patten), and a solid veteran back-up QB (Todd Collins), as Patrick Ramsey was a free agent. Not technically a draft pick, we traded a fourth rounder for Larry Foote, who like Crowder, has experience playing in a 3-4 and is one of the better run-stuffing ILBs in the league.

Head Coach: Josh McDaniels
Offensive Coordinator: Mike McCoy
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Nolan

Notable losses
LB D.J. Williams
CB Dre Bly
LB Nate Webster
DT Dewayne Robertson
LB Wesley Woodyard
RB Michael Pittman
WR Darrell Jackson
DE Ebenezer Ekuban
SS Marquand Manuel
FS Marlon McCree
DE John Engleberger
DT Kenny Peterson
C Tom Nalen
CB Josh Bell
LB Louis Green
QB Darrell Hackn-ey
RB Tatum Bell
Blue= offseason addition

53-Man Roster
QB: Jay Cutler, Todd Collins
RB: Knowshon Moreno, Selvin Young, Ryan Torain
FB: Peyton Hillis, Spenser Larsen
XWR: Brandon Marshall, David Patten
ZWR: Eddie Royal, Chad Jackson
YWR: Brandon Stokley, Jarrett Dillard
TE: Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler
LT: Ryan Clady, Erik Pears
LG: Ben Hamilton, Kory Lichtensteiger
C: Casey Wiegmann, Pat Murray
RG: Chris Kuper, Roger Allen
RT: Ryan Harris, Erik Pears

DE: Chris Baker, Corvey Irvin, Tim Crowder
NT: Howard Green, Terrance Taylor, Carlton Powell
DE: Marcus Thomas, Ryan McBean
OLB: Elvis Dumervil, Jarvis Moss, Boss Bailey
ILB: Larry Foote, Stanley Arnoux, Jamie Winborn
ILB: Channing Crowder, Spenser Larsen
OLB: Bertrand Berry, Roosevelt Colvin,
CB: Champ Bailey, Corey Ivy, Jack Williams
SS: Patrick Chung, Josh Barrett
FS: Sean Smith, Derek Pegues,
CB: Karl Paymah, Captain Munnerlyn

K: Matt Prater
P: Brett Kern
LS: Mike Leach
KR: Eddie Royal
PR: Eddie Royal

Practice Squad
OT Clint Oldenburg
RB Andre Hall
RB Anthony Alridge
DL Demonte Bolden
DL Mathias Askew
DE Zach Potter
LB Robert Francois
CB Don Carey

Draft Picks
Round 1 (#12)- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Not the fastest back, Knowshon Moreno possesses excellent agility, quickness, and most importantly, vision. He has the talent to have a Clinton Portis-like rookie year in our already stellar offense. Moreno is the final piece of the puzzle for our young offense, giving us stars at QB, two WR spots, LT, and now RB.

Round 2 (#45)- Sean Smith, DB, Utah

We were surprised to see Sean Smith available at pick #45 as we valued him as a first rounder. In camp we'll find out if he'll help us more at FS or CB, but either way he's probably the most talented DB on the roster not named Champ Bailey. Exciting player to add here.

Round 2 (#48)- Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon

We needed help at safety and we sure got it in this draft. Chung was our top ranked strong safety and should start from day one, instantly improving our porous run defense.

Round 3 (#74)- Terrance Taylor, NT, Michigan

After a trade for the draft rights of B.J. Raji was denied, we looked at Ron Brace and Terrance Taylor. Brace went #44 (a pick before us), so we focused on Taylor and traded up in order to make sure we could get him. Somewhat underrated in our eyes, Taylor had an up-and-down career in Ann Arbor, but as a two-down NT we feel he can be a quality contributor, especially if used in a rotation. The potential is undeniably there.

Round 4 (#103)- Chris Baker, DL, Hampton

The former Penn State Nittany Lion has the ability to be a quality defensive lineman in the NFL. He'll get a chance to start at DE in the 3-4 and may even get a chance to play some NT.

Round 5 (#132)- Derek Pegues, DB, Mississippi State

We were extremely surprised he was still around in round five, as we planned on taking him in round three before we took Sean Smith. Like Smith, Pegues offers versatility and playmaking ability. We were last in turnovers forced last year and adding a guy like Pegues, who could play anywhere from nickel corner to starting free safety, could go a long way to making our defense a bit more opportunistic.

Round 5 (#141)- Captain Munnerlyn, CB, South Carolina

Like Pegues, we were surprised Munnerlyn was still around at pick #141. With the release of Dre Bly, we needed another CB and Munnerlyn has the skills and mindset needed to start in the NFL. He ran a 4.5+ at the combine but his speed on film would suggest otherwise.

Round 6 (#166)- Jarrett Dillard, WR, Rice

We were ecstatic to land our slot WR of the future in round six. We had Dillard valued as a third rounder and when he and other WRs kept sliding we decided to wait. Here in round six we couldn't wait anymore and pulled the trigger on one of the most productive college receivers in history. A prototypical slot receiver, we believe we have solidified a top three of Marshall, Royal, and Dillard for years to grow with Jay Cutler.

Round 7 (#208)- Roger Allen, OG, Missouri Western State

We were surprised he was still there at #208 and pulled the trigger on one of the best small-school OL in the draft. He will provide quality depth from day one.

Round 7 (#210)- Corvey Irvin, DL, Georgia

Irvin didn't come on strong until his senior year but after getting an opportunity due to injuries at Georgia he showed enough to prove himself as a draftable player. He'll get a shot to make the team as a reserve defensive end in the 3-4.

Round 7 (#218)- Stanley Arnoux, LB, Wake Forest

Arnoux was overshadowed by all-world linebacker Aaron Curry at Wake but he has NFL potential. With good size, he could potentially be a starting caliber ILB in our 3-4. For now, he's a special teamer and good young depth behind Foote and Crowder.

[Diehard]

I like a lot of it. There's some crazy value in the draft (Pegues in the 5th?). The focus on defense is precisely what is needed.

Here's what I don't like:

1. I'm not sold on a 1st round RB, though Moreno is certainly a better fit than Wells. I'd prefer to see FA used to address RB, then see if there's any really good value at the position in the draft.

2. I can see trading DJ, but Woodyard should stay to play the weakside ILB. He's got the smarts and drive to do well in any system.

3. A veteran WR was definitely a need... but getting Gaffney makes more sense than Patten IMO.

4. I don't think we could go into the season with rookies at both safety spots... unless we want the nickname of our defense to be "Burnt Toast". Paymah in a starting spot is pretty scary as well. The future of this group is good though, but a another vet to help in the present is probably necessary.

5. The starting DL looks pretty shaky. There's not one proven 3-4 starter in there (though I believe Thomas will be able to make the switch). This problem is not confined to your mock - even after the FA moves the team has made the DL still looks weak.