ESPN: Broncos Likely to Draft Williams or Stewart

Todd McShay‘s most recent article on ESPN has a juicy tidbit about fan favorites Chris Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

RB Stewart headed to Denver?

Following up on a note from last week, RB Jonathan Stewart continues to be a hot topic in scouting circles as he moves back up the board following turf toe surgery in March. Stewart’s surgery combined with several nagging injuries during his college career sent his stock sliding, but now that he has healed and tested for teams again it is clear most are comfortable that his toe is not an issue.

Denver (No. 12) and Carolina seem to have the most interest among teams in the top 20, and we’re told the chances are good that the Broncos will take Stewart if their favorite offensive tackle prospect — Chris Williams — is off the board. Denver has always felt it could find running backs in the later rounds and turn them into 1,000-yard rushers in its zone blocking system, but that philosophy has not worked out in recent years and the Broncos obviously think Stewart would be a nice fit in their offense.

I’m not sold personally on anything this article said: first, that the Broncos will take Stewart, and second, that Williams is their favorite tackle prospect. Everyone is tight lipped in Dove Valley right now, and I find it hard to believe that McShay has infiltrated Mike Shanahan‘s infamous steel barrier this close to the draft.

There are probably 2 to 3 people who actually know where the Broncos are headed come draft day, and I find it hard to believe Pat Bowlen or Jeff Goodman leaked anything.