Brooks: Broncos have to be thinking tackles in the draft

Douglas Lee Feb 11, 2015 12:17 PM

AFC West rookie grades: Oakland Raiders aced 2014 NFL Draft
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The Broncos will investigate the top offensive tackles in the 2015 draft class to determine if there is an ultra-athletic edge blocker ideally suited for new coach Gary Kubiak’s zone-based scheme. The emphasis on athleticism should put Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings, Stanford’s Andrus Peat and Texas A&M’s Cedric Ogbuehi under the microscope.

This all depends upon the progress of Michael Schofield. Either way, a replacement for Orlando Franklin is another likely draft focus.

Doug is IAOFM’s resident newsman and spelling czar. Follow him on Twitter @IAOFM

That's exactly what I was going to say. From a fan perspective it simply wasn't an option. I guarantee if Minnesota had taken Carr, Houston would have picked Bridgewater. But those were the last two worthy of the 33rd pick.

After Carr the next QB was the patriots at the end of the 2nd.

Posted by T. Jensen on 2015-02-12 08:52:20

Because their loony fans would have gone ape shit and nobody there had the sack to tell those inbreds to STFU. These wackjobs were following Schaub home from practice and threatening his kids.

Posted by Yahmule on 2015-02-12 00:10:11

I agree on Fisher maybe being available later. I just assume that somebody as athletic as him may perhaps be drafted by a team prematurely. I'd love to see them as the 1st and 2nd round picks.

Posted by Drew on 2015-02-11 22:28:27

Maybe we can package Osweiler in a trade. He's worth a second rounder, right? Right? <crickets chirping="">

Posted by toomanyrappers on 2015-02-11 22:18:28

I like Armstead, and there is definitely a need for depth at DE in the new front. Fisher projects more as a 2nd-3rd rounder right now, I think, so they might have a chance to draft both of those guys.

Posted by SterlingMalloryArcher on 2015-02-11 21:16:19

He definitely looks to be an option in round 1.

Posted by SterlingMalloryArcher on 2015-02-11 21:13:11

I don't understand why they felt they couldn't draft the younger Carr. They had a huge need, and he looked every bit the part.

Posted by SterlingMalloryArcher on 2015-02-11 21:10:08

I don't see the hole at NT. Even if Knighton goes elsewhere, Williams and Austin would be able to perform the job competently. The new DL coach, Kollar, specifically said that Phillips's 3-4 does not require a huge NT to line up over C and swallow him up. Rather, they're looking for more athletic guys that line up in the A gap and penetrate.

As for the T discussion, there are multiple needs at the position. 1. A starter at RT; 2. A suitable backup that can ideally play both RT and LT; and possibly 3. A potential replacement for Clady at LT. Schofield could fill either 1 or 2, but not both. If he wins the starting job at RT, they still need a backup, and maybe two.

Free agency is an option, but I think an early draft pick is a very logical approach as well. I think Clemmings, Flowers and Collins are all possibilities.

You're right about the need at G, and certainly A.J. Cann would be a nice addition through the draft. But Schofield has experience at G, too, so it's possible that he could move over if the Broncos have another T they like better.

Posted by SterlingMalloryArcher on 2015-02-11 21:07:09

The requirements for the position (ILB) have changed now, with more of an emphasis on coverage and mobility than in the previous 4-3 scheme. I think Irving and Johnson are as good as gone, and I don't see a LB among the possibilities for a day 1 or 2 pick, but I wouldn't rule out adding a free agent or two. Irving is more suited to a 4-3 scheme because he lacks lateral mobility and coverage skills, and Johnson just takes up a roster spot that could be filled by someone with potential to contribute. Johnson is the definition of a replacement level player.

Posted by SterlingMalloryArcher on 2015-02-11 19:22:25

I felt bad for Houston, Carr was obviously the best choice but they couldn't draft another Carr. Minnesota really screwed them over on that one.

Posted by T. Jensen on 2015-02-11 16:28:51

Not sure they have the money to do that unless you can find another Vasquez type that will play for peanuts years 1-2. With back loaded contracts.

We have loads of take Ted UFA of our own to sign.

About the only legit place to get starting talent cheap is in the draft. Almost Any line guy from Wisconsin would be a keeper. As they are the OL school for ZBS.

We have at least three spots to fill over the next two years IF MR can hack it at ORG in the Zbs and IFbthey do not resign old man Montgomery.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2015-02-11 16:14:45

If this draft is like most drafts, we're not going to be in position for one of the top rated tackles. By the 28th pick in the draft, you're generally looking at anywhere from four to six OT's already off the board.

What do you guys think about the ultra versatile Cameron Erving from FSU?

Kind of bucking history with a 6'6" pivot man, but he seems like a guy who can pretty much play anywhere on the line.

Posted by Yahmule on 2015-02-11 14:45:28

I concur....Mack was solid for sure.

Posted by Laces Out on 2015-02-11 14:45:20

Linebacker is a priority in the draft and in free agency. Moves I would be fine with.

* Tender Marshall at the second-round level (every indicator is that he will be an RFA, and he's the only RFA who should be tender higher than original round).
* Tender Steven Johnson (again, though, at original round level... I doubt anyone will try to sign him away).
* Re-sign Nate Irving to a one-year, low-cost deal.
* Keep an eye on who is able in free agency and can fit the defense Phillips wants to run.
* Draft a LB early. First or second round, preferably. This may be where the Broncos will want to trade up in the second round to get one who can help.

I'm all for going into camp with plenty of LBs, so we can have some competition and get the position settled. Finding a good mike has been a problem, either because we get stuck with aging veterans on their last legs, or the players who shown promise get injured.

Posted by Bob Morris on 2015-02-11 14:44:23

We only need an OT in the first round if they've determined Schofield was a bad pick. Personally, I'm not giving up on the guy and hoping the year he had to acclimate to the pro game pays dividends.

I'm not saying we don't draft one but the need to do it with our first pick isn't necessarily accurate. We will likely have a larger hole at TE, potentially NT, and even OG.

Posted by GMik - Broncologist on 2015-02-11 14:43:57

Good points. You're probably right though I love Kendricks.

Posted by GMik - Broncologist on 2015-02-11 14:40:09

Tackle or bust!

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/201...

Posted by Yahmule on 2015-02-11 14:32:28

Well you rarely win lots of games when your team sucks and that many rookies have to contribute. The truth is their '14 draft class not only contributed but looked promising.

On the flip side, when your team doesn't suck and you have one of the most talented rosters, it's going to be tougher to get on the field as a rookie. But... didn't we need an OT? Our draft pick didn't contribute, obviously.

He's pandering to fans wanting grades and you can't grade fairly after a year, but I would take Carr over the other QBs drafted and Mack looks like the right pick as well. We will have to wait and see on everyone else, including ours.

Posted by GMik - Broncologist on 2015-02-11 14:30:42

Trevathan is coming off multiple knee injuries - two separate fractures and a dislocated kneecap. Marshall's cinderella season ended with an injury to the dreaded Lisfranc area of the foot. Nelson showed some promise. Barrow is light years away. Davis looks like he may be more than journeyman depth, but who knows.

Bottom line is in the playoff loss to Indianapolis, the Broncos allowed 19 receptions to backs and tight ends, which is simply pathetic.

They allowed tight ends to burn them for 95 catches for 931 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2014. Those numbers are slightly better than what Jimmy Graham posted last year.

In 2013 the defense was again beaten mercilessly by tight ends, yielding 82 catches for 1043 yards and 6 touchdowns. I think Elway is tired of getting punked by these guys.

Posted by Yahmule on 2015-02-11 14:29:19

I'm hoping OT solid in round one, and a ballhawking LB playmaker type next...

Posted by Laces Out on 2015-02-11 14:20:50

You get solid contributions from the draft class when you are just shoving bodies onto the field...according to Brooks you get an A when that happens and you go 2-14. Hmm....

Wonder why he's not employed with an NFL team right now.

Posted by Laces Out on 2015-02-11 14:19:45

They could end up drafting a guy that will push for playing time initially at RT, but with the intention of grooming him to take over for Clady on the left side in a year or two. I think Clemmings and Flowers could both be in play in that regard. Unfortunately I think Andrus Peat will be long gone by #28.

Posted by SterlingMalloryArcher on 2015-02-11 14:01:39

Shore up the line in UFA. That way they pounce bpa in the draft.

Posted by drewthorn on 2015-02-11 13:49:40

No way to tell yet. I'd be a lot more comfortable with him at ILB, but it's true that Marshall and Davis aren't a bad pairing. I'm hoping for the sophomore leap for Barrow - I found his work disappointing. Nelson outplayed him last season and Nelson was a Virgil Green kind of pick - gutsy guy, lots of heart, can become a solid player - with time.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2015-02-11 13:37:44

I don't think I'd ingore Miami OT Ereck Flowers and LSU OT La'el Collins simply because they're bigger guys. I do agree that Denver is in a great position at #28 to snag an OT, though.

Posted by SterlingMalloryArcher on 2015-02-11 13:22:57

Do you think Trevathan is done? If he's healthy, the Broncos will be looking pretty good at ILB with Marshall and Trevathan, and some developmental guys like Todd Davis, Lamin Barrow, and Corey Nelson behind them.

The switch to the 3-4 base has likely eliminated the need for an ILB in the draft.

Posted by SterlingMalloryArcher on 2015-02-11 13:18:55

I'd like to see one of two guys from Oregon with the first pick. If they go defense, Armstead is long, athletic end that the team enter the rotation immediately and maybe replace Wolfe or Jackson some day. With many of last year's ends moving to OLB, the DL is a bit thin in my opinion.

If they go tackle, I think Fisher fits current and future needs. He's a super athletic mauler who can play RT now and maybe, if Clady's health makes him no longer with the investment, slide over to LT in a year or so.

I agree with Doug that Schofield should factor into such a decision, but he's somebody who could potentially play LG or RT. Maybe he dukes it out with Garland for LG if they go RT early?

Posted by Drew on 2015-02-11 13:16:58

I think it comes down to if Manning is coming back or not. If he does, I think they go tackle all the way with the first pick.

Posted by Jim_Jebow on 2015-02-11 12:59:43

Yes, please, at OT. I have been beating this drum since before the season ended. Of course, I've been saying they should release Clady and draft someone to play LT, but still...

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2015-02-11 12:47:56

Elway openly lusted after CJ Mosley last year and the kid made Second Team All Pro as a rookie. I hope that means Kendricks is high on their board this year.

Posted by Yahmule on 2015-02-11 12:42:08

Love this. Continue along the path to make Defense our strength. Hopefully we now have a Coach that can call a game as this Defense sure has the players.

Posted by GMik - Broncologist on 2015-02-11 12:32:01

With the move to the 3-4, the Butkus Award and Lott IMPACT Award winner Eric Kendricks would be a great choice in round one.

http://dailybruin.com/images/2...

Posted by Yahmule on 2015-02-11 12:29:02

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