Broncos select center Walton, wide receiver Decker in 3rd round

The Denver Broncos went a whole day without any movement in the draft, surprisingly.

They began the evening drafting Utah’s Zane Beadles, a tackle who most analysts say can play any position on the offensive line, except center.

In the third round the Broncos stuck with the offensive line and drafted center J.D. Walton (6’3″, 305 lbs.) out of Baylor. Walton was an All American, Outland and Rimington Trophy candidate who became the 80th overall draft pick. He started every game for Baylor (24) after beginning his career as a redshirted Freshman at Arizona State and sitting a year after the transfer to Baylor.

Later in the third round the Broncos drafted wide receiver Eric Decker (6’3″, 217 lbs.) out of Minnesota, 87th overall. Decker had the highest Wonderlic score at the combine (43, didn’t know that it went that high) this year. He is a two sport athlete (baseball) and prior to the 2009 season he was regarded by Sports Illustrated columnist Stewart Mandel as the third best receiver in the country (behind Dez Bryant and A.J. Green).

The pick for Walton makes sense, but drafting Decker there is pure Bill Belichick. Belichick loves smart players, former New England Patriots tight end Ben Watson reportedly had a 49 (out of 50) on the Wonderlic test. Time will tell and the Broncos still have a very glaring need at linebacker and possibly could pick up a running back with the two remaining picks.

Denver does not have a 4th round draft pick as of this post, but do have a 5th (137th) and 6th (183rd) tomorrow.