Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors



Cam Newton rushes upfield alluding Marcell Dareus' grip. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Cam Newton rushes up-field alluding Marcell Dareus' grip. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Twenty-six hundred, that’s what the Denver Broncos second overall pick in the first round is worth on the NFL draft value chart.

That’s a lot of points.

Probably more points than anyone is willing to give up in order for the Broncos to trade back. Usually the gap in compensation is made up for by a player, but that’s impossible this year.

There are rumors that Denver is looking to trade back (who in the NFL isn’t?), certain fans hope that they will in order to pick up more picks in the middle rounds. The Broncos currently have seven picks in the draft, but do not have a fourth or a fifth round selection as of now.

The Washington Redskins (tenth overall), Tennessee Titans (eighth overall) and Arizona Cardinals (fifth overall) are all suspected to want to move up. I’ll throw the Cincinnati Bengals (fourth overall) in there for good measure, because they may be without Carson Palmer in 2011, which would put them in desperate need for a quarterback. Thus if either the Redskins, Titans or Cardinals were looking to jump ahead of the Bengals to choose a quarterback they would need to do it by either trading picks with the Broncos or the Buffalo Bills (third overall).

Here’s a breakdown of the likelihood of any type of trade.

Trading Places

The Buffalo Bills

I believe that the Bills (justifiably so) are happy with their current quarterback situation having Ryan Fitzpatrick as their signal caller. However, if Cam Newton were to somehow slip by the Carolina Panthers (first overall), it may just turn into a game of highest bidder for the Broncos pick and the Bills have the most to offer. I am going to hold off on that tangent for a moment, but let it be noted that the Bills have the most to offer without dipping into their 2012 draft. Buffalo can swap their first round pick with Denver, swap picks with the Broncos in the second and offer their fourth round and the points would just tip a bit in the Bills favor.

Likelihood of trade with Denver: Unlikely, the Bills aren’t looking to get into the quarterback sweepstakes in the first round. At least not this high.

Ryan Mallett throws for yardage as Von Miller trails. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

Ryan Mallett throws for yardage as Von Miller trails. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

The Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are in an interesting position, a quarterback who swears he will never play for the team again and an owner that doesn’t believe him. If the Bengals are to stand a chance at all next they will need a new quarterback, however head coach Marvin Lewis doesn’t seem to care. Playing devil’s advocate I can see Cincinnati not having a quarterback as a sort of job protection for Lewis. No one will be able to blame the coach if they’re starting games being led by either Dan LeFevour or Jordan Palmer and losing. Then again owner Mike Brown calls the shots, not Lewis; that being said Brown doesn’t believe that the team needs a quarterback. However, Brown could be bluffing to keep teams feeling safe that the Bengals will not be selecting a quarterback in the top five thus freezing a team like Arizona from moving up to swap places with Denver.

Likelihood of trade with Denver: Unless there’s a change in the winds I don’t see Cincinnati moving from their fourth selection in the first round. If rumors spread quickly on draft day that a team is trying to move up to number two then it may be in the Bengals best interests to get in on the trade game or face a scenario where Jake Locker is the next best available quarterback at number four.

The Washington Redskins

This trade may seem like the one with the most possibility given the history between John Elway and Mike Shanahan and with Donovan McNabb all but out of Washington D.C. the Redskins need a quarterback. Even Kyle Orton can’t save Rex Grossman this time, the Shanahan’s need a quarterback for the future and even one for the now… Redskins just don’t have the beans though, with the tenth overall selection, no third or fourth round draft pick and an inability to trade players I don’t see it being worth it at all for the Broncos to even entertain an offer. Oh and what do Marcell Dareus, Von Miller and Patrick Peterson all have in common? None of them will be available at the tenth pick in the draft.

Likelihood of trade with Denver: Highly unlikely, writers and commentators are merely drawing upon this due to the link between Elway and Shanahan. When it comes down to it though, it would be ill advised for the Broncos to pull the trigger on anything involving the number ten overall pick. Shanahan could throw the kitchen sink at them though (and Broncos fans know the man has no loyalty to future draft picks).

The Tennessee Titans

How gone is Vince Young in Tennessee? We don’t know, because Young was given a pink slip under the Jeff Fisher regime, Fisher is gone and even Chris Johnson seems to think that Young may still have a place with the Titans. This alone makes the possibilities of a trade seem iffy at best, there isn’t even a guarantee that the Titans view quarterback as their most pressing need. With Kenny Britt now possibly in trouble, the fact that Tennessee took a chance on Randy Moss late last season and the fact that since 2005 the Titans are picking an average of two receivers per draft there is even a possibility that they may stick with number eight and pick up a receiver. Especially if Nick Fairley is gone earlier than when they select at number eight.

Likelihood of trade with Denver: Another highly unlikely trade partner, the Titans could give up their first, second and third for the Broncos first round and it still wouldn’t compensate the 2,600 points that Denver’s second overall pick is worth. The most likely scenario is that Tennessee will actually trade back, not up in the first round.

Julio Jones avoids a tackle by Patrick Peterson. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Julio Jones avoids a tackle by Patrick Peterson. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals

Arizona is in desperate need of a quarterback, but are they in fact so desperate that they can’t afford to go with a rookie quarterback in 2011? I will lean towards yes. The Cardinals will be the first team in line for Marc Bulger and can become a high bidder in the Kevin Kolb sweepstakes when trades are allowed; Larry Fitzgerald is just too good of a receiver and way too expensive to be dealing with such a young quarterback for the next few seasons.

Likelihood of trade with Denver: Unlikely, though Arizona may pick up a quarterback in this years draft, but I don’t see it happening in the first round. Maybe early in the second or third. With the talent they have at wide receiver going with a rookie quarterback out of anything other than necessity may be more than their offensive morale can handle.

“Our philosophy is we’re willing to listen to anybody, but the value has got to be there,” Elway has been quoted.

So where does this leave Denver? Exactly where they are right now. It’s been said that no one in the NFL ever plans to be drafting high the next season, that being the case, I say enjoy the opportunity while it’s there. It’s very difficult to mess up the second overall pick in the draft (especially when you’re not targeting a quarterback). The last time the Broncos had an opportunity to pick this high was in 1991, they drafted Mike Croel (who went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year).

  • WhidbeyBronco

    I wouldn't mind picking up an extra 2nd or third even but only if we're still locked in on one of the top 3 players available to us (Peterson, Dareus, Fairly)

  • crazykid

    I doubt we'll trade back. There is just too much to give up to move up to #2, and it rarely ever happens, except for moron teams like San Diego who traded up to 2 to get Ryan Leaf

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    I love how you chose pictures of Newton evading Dareus, Mallett evading Miller and Jones making Peterson miss, don't know if I was the only one that noticed that… nice.

  • Jim

    What relationship between Shanahan and Elway? Elway doesn't like him and wouldn't come around the broncos after he retired because of him.

  • anthony33

    Agree completely. I have settled into the path that we must build the d-line first and foremost, so if they trade back and still pick up Dareus I would be thrilled. D-lineman, LB's, O-Lineman and a stout running back are the top priorities as far as I am concerned.

    You only need listen to Bill McCartney… “you win by dominating the line of scrimmage”… period, end of discussion.

  • Crwolff

    Whatever happens, Elway better get it right. I am tired of watching a pathetic product. Get behind Tebow (who at the very least brings some energy) and draft a couple of mean guys on the defensive side.

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Jon thanks for noticing, haha!

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Dave Krieger? You post here too!? Just kidding.

    Is it Elway that doesn't like Shanahan or Shanahan that doesn't like Elway? If it's Elway I am sure they've patched things up, Elway even invited Dan Reeves to his Hall of Fame induction. He doesn't hold grudges.

    When asked directly if Shanahan and he (Elway) had ever butted heads he said this:

    Elway: I think that's always the case with quarterbacks and coaches. I butted heads with Dan Reeves. Mike and I butted heads every once in a while, but we were always able to solve it. I think that's part of the deal, especially with quarterbacks, especially with veteran quarterbacks. They feel like they know the right way sometimes, and they're gonna butt heads. But we were always able to get through it. I knew Mike for so long and had such great respect for him that we always figured it out. He was good on both sides. He was give and take, also. But he's a tough guy and that's what makes him a good coach. I was lucky to have him in Denver and be able to play the four years I got to play with him as the head coach.

    http://voices.washingtonpost.c

  • ETL

    I agree. However, there is a difference between rebuilding the d-line first and selecting a d-linemen first. A lot of people can't wrap their head around that one.

  • Mergrath

    Not saying that San Diego isn't a “moron team” but they earned that #2 pick straight up! ;)

  • stav

    Completely off subject, do you guys know where I can stream Bronco games live online? After having Directv for 7 years, I just dropped it, more importantly I lose the NFL package now (the package where if you already have HD service on your tv, you have to pay EXTRA to watch the games in HD). Its a sad, sad day in my house.

  • Pingback: Broncos’ Tebow rises in the jersey standings – Bizjournals.com (blog)()

  • Hansen

    Stav

    I always listen to them on 850 KOA with Dave Logan. Thats an option for you.

  • The Mascot Army

    atdhe.me let's you watch just about every sporting event live.

    I hooked up an old computer to my new tv so I could stream the games on my bigscreen. It isnt HD, but definitely watchable.

    It used to be atdhe.net, but the govt shut that down and they reopened in some other country.

    I really hope the tentacles of the govt cant reach into their new home.

  • The Mascot Army

    The price for that tip is you have to root for Tebow this year.

  • 5280

    i think the quote by Elway at the end of that says it best. That quote tells me that he has his head in the right place right now. nothing right now is worth that 2nd rounder and nobody right now and no position is higher on their board then DT. now a scenario might work out to where they feel that they can get a good enough talent later on in the 1st(trade with new england for one of their later 1st rounders) or in the second rounds at DT so they might pick up von miller or peterson and then try to go get one of the DT's they feel can fill the void but i highly dout theyll give up that 2nd pick. IMO Von Miller would reallt make more sence then peterson if they decide not to take Dareus because of the need at LB. Ayers is going back to DE and so is Doom, leaving them with teally just DJ williams and maybe joe mayes. the other LB's havn't proven to be anything other then average in my mind. Von Miller fullfills a more immediate need then Peterson and is also VERY versitile. He could go 3-4 or 4-3 and can rush from the edge, stop the run, or help in pass coverage. So if they feel they can still get what they need in a DT later in the draft, then i would expect them to take Von Miller. Point being that they wont move from the #2 pick because of the value.

  • Doom92

    “I hooked up an old computer to my new tv so I could stream the games on my bigscreen.”

    And how did you do that? S-Video cable?

  • J.

    HDMI cord is what I use…

  • stav

    Wish I could but I live in NJ, had the NFL package since 2002.

  • 1985 DBFan

    Defense has been known to win games along with special teams. We NEED a good d-Line, we are defanently lacking in that areana. The last few seasons we have given up too many rush yards as well as pass yards resulting in too many points as well. Currently we tend to fall completely apart after the 50-yard line with our defense and in the Red Zone with both our Defense and Offense as well! These are the 3 areas that we need to work on with improving our game. New players and strategies are required to fix both…

  • 1985 DBFan

    Defense has been known to win games along with special teams. We NEED a good d-Line, we are defanently lacking in that areana. The last few seasons we have given up too many rush yards as well as pass yards resulting in too many points as well. Currently we tend to fall completely apart after the 50-yard line with our defense and in the Red Zone with both our Defense and Offense as well! These are the 3 areas that we need to work on with improving our game. New players and strategies are required to fix both…