BroncoTalk » 2008 Draft

SPEAK UP: What drafting method should Denver take?

Mr.East — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:45:57 +0000

There has always been a debate on whether a team should draft out of need or the best player available. The 2008 Draft is the perfect example of this dilemma.

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Production now

In 2008 the Carolina Panthers selected Jonathan Stewart in the first round because he was the best player available despite the fact the fact that they had DeAngelo Williams on the roster. The Panthers went on to have one of the most dynamic rushing attacks the NFL in 2009 with Stewart averaging 5.1 yards a rush.

However, the Panthers have struggled terribly at the quarterback position, even in 2007 the Panthers had 4 different starting quarterbacks in one season. Many have aruged that Joe Flacco, who was taken by the Ravens 5 spots later, should have been the pick. Flacco though was not considered the best player available due to his experience playing at a smaller school and at a lower tier of Divison-I football.

Production later

With the 23rd overall pick of the 2008 draft the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Rashard Mendenhall even though Willie Parker had just come off an 1,316 yard season, which included a league leading eight 100 yard games. Mendenhall only had 58 yards rushing his rookie year, hardly an example of receiving an immediate return on an investment.

With the decline Parker’s performance in 2008 (791 yards), the Steelers were forced to give Mendenhall more a role in 2009. When given his opportunity, Mendenhall rose to the occasion with 1,108 rushing yards in 2009 and improved again with 1,273 yards in 2010.

Production never

Twenty selections after Rashard Mendenhall later the Pittsburgh Steelers selected wide receiver Limas Sweed from Texas. Several draft analysts had Sweed rated as the top receiver of the draft and the Steelers were praised for having selected him 53rd overall at such a great value.

The Steelers were not hurting at wide receiver with Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller on the roster but they went with the best player available like always. So far in his career Sweed has accumulated 7 receptions for 69 yards with two fumbles, zero touchdowns, and zero starts

What do you think Bronco nation? What drafting technique should the Broncos take?

Broncos Plan on Using a Second Day Pick to Trade for Robertson

Josh Temple — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:29:42 +0000

While I was posting the weekend edition of the daily links yesterday, I totally missed this piece of news in the Mike Klis article. I would’ve thought the Denver Post would have a dedicated a whole article to news this big. (That’s what I get for posting right before bed)

The next three weeks at Dove Valley will be devoted to the draft. The Broncos have the No. 12 and 42 overall picks on the first day, April 26.

On the second day, the Broncos hope to use one of their late-round picks to acquire Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson.

It looks like we’re going to be addressing our need at defensive tackle in the draft one way or another. Could this be changing our draft strategy in the early rounds? The team might be addressing skill positions in rounds 1 and 2 by having the team’s certain need in the middle of the defensive line taken care of ahead of the draft.

Daily Links Weekend Edition – Some Good Follow Up

Josh Temple — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 06:29:02 +0000

Mike Klis has an interesting mix of an article up stating that Houston is closer to the Super Bowl than the Broncos right now. He also sheds some light on the move people have been questioning on letting Myers go for a sixth round pick. Also a sidenote that the Broncos are looking at Miami Safety Kenny Phillips in the draft. [Denver Post]
I guess Karl Mecklenberg (my all time favorite) helping open a Sports Authority is big news in Grand Junction. [krextv.com]
TSN has their draft preview for the Broncos up. [The Sports Network]
In case you missed it, MHR selected DE Derrick Harvey for the Broncos in the SBNation Mock Draft. [Mile High Report]
It’s certain, RF365 hates Denver. Their terrible coverage of the Broncos continues in “Nightmare Offseason Gets Worse and Worse”. As if their 5 questions of the off season series wasn’t tasteless and inaccurate enough. [Real Footballl 365]

Weekend Links – Possibly Saying Goodbye

Josh Temple — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:38:50 +0000

The Broncos remain unswayed in guaranteed money with Elam, so he moves on to Atlanta for now. [Denver Post, My Fox Colorado, Rocky Mountain News]

Known Shanahan hater Mike Florio is calling the coach’s firing of Sundquist desperate. [Sporting News]

Real Football is wrapping up their poor series of 5 Broncos questions with the red zone offense. [RealFootball365.com]

Mike Klis points out that the 2008 Browns can follow in the footsteps of the 95 Broncos by not having the first 3 rounds of picks. Take note of the blurb that the Denver war room could do anything if Jake Long and Ryan Clady aren’t available at pick 12. [Denver Post]