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Published on 04/30/2011 at Sat Apr 30 11:41.
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Julius Thomas drafted 129th overall by Denver Broncos

Posted Sat Apr 30th by

Portland State tight end Julius Thomas

Portland State tight end Julius Thomas

The Denver Broncos traded back into the fourth round to select Julius Thomas, tight end out of Portland State with the 129th overall pick.

Thomas is a bit of a project — a 6’5″, 246-lbs. basketball player who began playing football in his senior season. According to various scouting reports, Thomas excelled in man-coverage against linebackers but is still very raw in his run blocking and ability to escape zone coverage.

Clearly the Broncos have the success their AFC West counterparts have enjoyed with Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, both former college basketball players, in mind.

“Julius Thomas is a talented tight end who has great potential,” Broncos VP John Elway said. “He’s a tremendous athlete with good speed and strong hands.”

To acquire Thomas, the Broncos traded their 5th (141) & 6th round picks (186) to the Green Bay Packers. They also received a 7th round pick (204) in the deal.

Check out this New York Times scouting report on Thomas, via Denver’s own Cecil Lammey. Exciting huge-upside pick by the Broncos, who were apparently high on Thomas from the start.

  • Darwin

    Seems like a reach to me and a lot to give up considering they probably could have kept their 5th and drafted him there. Now they lose any chance of getting Jerry Powe for D-Line. Not loving this pick. Seems they are not giving any value or much to is still on the board. This reeks of McDumb

  • Johndoe

    shut your mouth

  • Paulcam70

    I agree with Darwin. We needed D linemen. R bronco fans the only people who understand that the broncos need interior d linemen? I'm not too excited about this entire draft. I guess we wait and see!

  • wyrob

    Are you sure a 5th round college DT is that much better than the guys we have now, or can get through free agency? There are a lot more opportunities for a late round safety or linebacker on special teams than a DT.

  • eb559

    Elway knows that any scrambling QB needs a good TE. And tebow scrambles, that right Tackle from Miami just is watching Tebow's blind side!!!

  • eb559

    Elway knows that any scrambling QB needs a good TE. And tebow scrambles, that right Tackle from Miami just is watching Tebow's blind side!!!