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Final look: Broncos offensive needs into the draft

April 20th, 2010, 7:36 pm · Post a Comment · posted by

With the draft coming up fast, here’s one more look at the Broncos’ needs at each position, and what might happen over the three days of this year’s draft. First off, the offense:

Quarterback: The Tim Tebow issue has been discussed and I’m sure will be discussed up until he is picked. But here’s another issue: are the Broncos smitten with just Tebow, or are other top quarterbacks in play? Is Jimmy Clausen a possibility at the 11th pick? Is there any truth to that CBS Sports rumor the Broncos were thinking about making an offer for the top pick (and presumably Sam Bradford)? If Tebow is gone in the 2nd round, what about Texas’ Colt McCoy?

“If it’s a situation where there’s a player you feel good about going forward, whether it’s a quarterback or another position, we’re not going to turn our head away because we have three on the roster,” coach Josh McDaniels said.

Still, I would be very surprised if the Broncos drafted a quarterback other than Tebow. I don’t know if they would draft Tebow, but I wouldn’t be shocked given their interest in him. But taking another quarterback in the first two rounds ignores a lot of other needs.

Running back: The Broncos brought in a few highly-touted running backs for a visit, including Toby Gerhart, Tennessee’s Montario Hardesty and Clemson’s C.J. Spiller for visits. Denver needs depth, but used the 12th pick on running back Knowshon Moreno last year. McDaniels said Denver can’t even justify a late pick on a back if he doesn’t feel that player can beat out youngsters Lance Ball and Bruce Hall, and using a high pick on a running back doesn’t seem likely.

“I don’t think necessarily that’s high on our radar,” McDaniels said of drafting a running back early.

Receiver/tight end: The Broncos have traded Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler in the past week, so these are positions of need. Receiver is especially thin now. Some experts don’t see the Broncos drafting any receiver high, especially Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant. McDaniels talked up Bryant, but he didn’t seem committed to taking him 11th overall. There is good depth among receivers, and it would be a shock if Denver doesn’t have one by the end of the second round. And, as McDaniels said, Bryant is still on their board. If the Broncos don’t draft a receiver early, it could be a mistake.

As for tight end, Denver has Daniel Graham and used a second-round pick on Richard Quinn last year. And, they don’t put a high premium on tight ends in the offense. So while they may take a tight end, it probably won’t be early.

Offensive line: The Broncos can’t pass up help on the interior of their offensive line. Their starting center position is completely up in the air. They could still add a guard. The question seems to be not if, but when, they take some interior line help.

Florida center Maurkice Pouncey is a name liked to the Broncos often because of the position need, and that Pouncey is by far and away the best center in the draft. The 11th pick seems high for him, but not impossible. The most likely scenario if the Broncos have their hearts set on Pouncey is a move back in the first round, then take him later. Idaho guard Mike Iupati, a probable first-round pick, fits too because of his size and toughness, but the Broncos have a lot of other needs that rank ahead of guard.

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