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Published on 01/04/2009 at Sun Jan 04 01:20.
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Who I Want in the Upcoming Draft

Posted Sun Jan 4th by

Yes, I know, I know, it’s a little early for this.  But after being submerged in the coaching news frenzy I’m ready for a little bit of a reprieve.  Now I’m not the biggest college football fan by any means, but after the two long holiday weekends it’s been hard to ignore all the bowl games.  Which brings me to the topic at hand, who watched the Rose Bowl?  Other than the dismantling of Penn State something made me sit up at attention.  Safety Taylor Mays.  This USC junior is an absolute freak of nature.  He comes in at a large 6′-4″ 240lbs, but here’s the thing, he’s the fastest player on the team.  He has 4.28 speed.  He matched Reggie Bush in the 40 while they were both on the team.  You just don’t see that everyday. USC head coach Pete Carroll put it best “Did you see anyone try to go over the top on us all season?”  So the other question is can he play with all that athleticism?  Then you didn’t see the Rose Bowl my friends.

Tell me that play doesn’t conjure up memories of certain Broncos ring a famer?  He knows it’s time to turn pro being a Junior.  He is expected to be a top 15 pick. This is the same school that developed Troy Polamalu and we all know what he did to us in the 2005 AFC Championship.  Denver needs a franchise safety.  The Mays family is an NFL bloodline, Taylor’s father Stafford played d-line in the pros.  Carroll has even told him it’s time to move on.  I would love to see this guy in a Broncos uniform next season.

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  • the decider13

    I like Mays, but I just don’t like how he doesn’t wrap up. Every hit is with his shoulder…but he does bring tons of power.

  • flbronc

    I saw him absolutely kill a Penn State player in that game. In my book his stock went up after the Rose Bowl. I still dont know if he is my top pick, I still like Everette Brown or one of the MLB’s who’s name I can’t spell (Lauranitis, Malaluga??). It’s kinda a situation where i’d like to fix our problems up front and get a pass rush before a safety. It’s a catch 22, we have two gaping wounds and we have to fix them both before they kill us.

    I guess I wouldnt be upset if we did grab him at 12, but personally I would like the MLB or DE problem to be addressed.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Christopher Hart

    As much as like Mays, why draft for our defensive backfield so early? His strengths and athleticism will be masked by the inefficiency of our front seven. Yes, Mays is a all-world prospect at safety; but the difference between him and say the pro career of Patrick Chung wouldn’t be much different (and probably won’t anyways) if you don’t have the people ahead of him to make the plays.

    It all starts up front. Denver has realized this on the offensive line. They need to do it up front on the defensive line and with our linebackers. Drafting Mays at #12 is a questionable move based on the needs we have elsewhere. Not that there isn’t defensive land talent with other selections, but Denver is in prime position to get a stud defensive tackle or defensive end. Even a running back if you want to go that route.

    A safety with #12 is about as dumb as a move as our team could ever do. If we traded back and gained extra picks, sure. Maybe Mays won’t be there though, but William Moore could be — as would some others in rounds 2-4.

    I’m getting redundant, but Mays isn’t a good option for the Broncos from a logical standpoint in addressing pertinent needs. I’d much rather a Gerald McCoy at #12 and take a Patrick Chung or other impact safety (which there are) in the second or third round. More bang for your buck, and more worthiness of the selection.

    JMHO.

  • http://www.pennington.net/ mikepenn

    I like Brian Orakpo if he’s still there at 12

  • the decider13

    I agree it would be best to draft up front first. Orakpo, Everette Brown, Gerald McCoy would all be better. My dream pick is Aaron Curry, but I doubt he makes it.

  • Danish Denver-fan!

    I agree with the other commenters. You could plug Ed Reed in in our backfield and he would look rediculous!

    Besides, I would be careful when getting players from that USC defense – they are all playing along side a lot of talent!

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

    I like Mays but he is a bust waiting to happen. Mays and his popularity is based on his workout numbers and size. He has not shown as much on the field as he has off of it at combines. Lots of players have turned into busts because they are not able to transfer the same things they bring off the combine on to the field.

    Also I am always afraid to draft anyone from USC. They are known to slightly inflate workout numbers and have produced busts after bust after bust. Matt Leinert or Reggie Bush anyone? I know Troy Polamalu did come from USC but you always should be a bit wary when you draft USC. I know this may be an overreaction but better safe than sorry.

    Finally our biggest need is a Linebacker. Both Laurinaitis, Maualuga and maybe Curry will both be available when we draft. IF we have a choice of all 3 we need to go Curry to replace Boss Bailey not just because we need a new SAM but that Curry may be the best player in the entire draft. But he might not be available so I would go Maualuga. I know that he is USC too but Linebacker is the most successful position from USC and Maualuga has been great of the field. Either one of these 3 would be better than Mays.

  • MIAbronco

    i really dont think mays will translate into a good pro.

    B J Raji on the other hand i think will immediately shore up a defensive line in dire need of help, plus if you pair raji with thomas it will immediatly improve him. even better, if we pair raji with ‘haynesworth’….wowwww

  • AtwaterFan27

    I like bringing back Larry Coyer at Defensive coordinator.

  • Andy

    Anyone know if we have additional picks for this draft because of trades??

  • flbronc

    i think we have an extra 5th (from the texans) and a 7th (from the falcons). thats going from memory, but they are the results of the meyers and foxworth trades.

    will we lose one pick somewhere due to compensation for robertson?

  • http://broncosdraft.wordpress.com Christopher Hart

    Denver has extra fifth rounders from Dallas for Montrae Holland and from the Seahawks for Keary Colbert. We also have an extra seventh that can escalate to a sixth from the Falcons due to the Foxworth trade. Denver does not owe New York a pick for Peg-Leg Robertson, because he did not meet the requisite 60% snap mark.

    I assume Foxworth stays in Atlanta. Thus, we have:

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6 and 7. Not a bad haul.

    And I’d stay away from Orakpo. He is overrated. You want someone who plays with a real fire, Brown at DE from FSU is a monster.

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

    I thought we had two fours, two fifths and only one sixth.

  • http://broncosdraft.wordpress.com Christopher Hart

    Nope. We got fifths from the Holland and Colbert trades, the Foxworth pick goes from a seventh to a sixth if he re-signs there. The only thing wrong with what I said is that the Holland trade was originally for a 2010 fifth-rounder. But according to the Cowboys site (via a poster on Orange Mane) — it’s a fifth this year.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6 and a 7. I’m pretty sure I’m right! *shrug*

  • http://BroncoTalk.net East

    Wow you could play Sudoku with how many draft picks we have.

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

    hahae east. ur probably right.

  • HogBlog

    I’ve looked everywhere for an update on the Holland to Dallas for an 09 pick, not 2010. It’s nowhere to be found. I believe we had a choice to got the 2010 5th or an 09 7th? I really hope Im wrong. If anybody can confirm, let us all know. I’d love 10 picks and a FA pickup and a few releases from the current roster…

  • dbroncos

    Would B.J. Raji be a good pick out of Boston College in a later first day pick? Maybe the 2nd or 3rd if he is there. I dont know anything about him but in the bowl game where BC played the announcers had nothing but good things to say.

  • http://broncosdraft.wordpress.com Christopher Hart

    Raji is a first-round talent. I’d be surprised if he was there in the second round.

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

    Yeah, a couple of good second round talents might be fili moala or evander hood. both seem pretty good and moala might even be a 3rd round. I think our order of picks needs to go linebacker, safety, defensive tackle, running back. we could get any linebacker in the first, a good safety like louis delmas in the second and a really good defensive tackle like moala in the third. we could also go a bit early for running back in that round and take javon ringer. if we wait to the fourth round rashad jennings just might be available. we have a really deep class of players here and could get some real playmakers for the future.

  • jchase8410

    I think that there is no way Mays is going to be a bust. He hasn’t done much on the field? Are you high? I’m not sure where you live, but I get to watch USC pretty much every week living in So Cal, and Taylor is an absolute beast! He is the fastest hit on the field at 240 lbs. He hits like a Mack truck, he just makes plays! I would have no problem picking him up. The safeties we have couldn’t cover a bed with a blanket, and are horrible tacklers. Trade some late round picks to get Maualuga and Mays.

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

    jchase8410, i never said he hadn’t shown much on the field i said he hasn’t shown as much on the field as he has in combines. guys like William Moore and Louis Delmas have shown more skill on the field (it still is close though) but Mays is more popular because of workout numbers.

  • jchase8410

    I would love William Moore. That guy is VERY good too. I don’t know what all this Chung talk is about, he has way more bust potential than Mays.
    I know the Broncos need to shore up the front 7, but that can be done through free agency if we get the right talent evaluator. I just don’t see how you can pass up on such a talented defensive backfeild class.

  • http://broncosdraft.wordpress.com Christopher Hart

    I’d prefer Denver to go for a highlight defensive tackle in the first round and then look for linebacker and safety. Running back as well. In an ideal world, we’d trade back and get some extra selections. Gerald McCoy out of Oklahoma (RS Sophomore) is the guy I’d like to see us get at #12 if he is there. He is a difference maker. Tommie Harris comparisons are very reasonable.

  • http://broncosdraft.wordpress.com Christopher Hart

    FWIW, McCoy, Malauluga and Moreno would be my guys at #12. Curry if he fell, but I doubt it. Otherwise, I’d entertain trade downs.

  • Bucky

    Fox news reports Denver is setting up talks with the D coordinator in Min. anybody else hear about this?

  • broncoNM

    I would be fine drafting Mays. I also wouldnt mind trading down for extra picks and maybe snagging william moore around pick 17-20. I would be ok with either guy. Both would be a huge upgrade and could hold down the safety position for years. I would also be ok with rey maguala or spikes. No laranitus (not sure on spelling)

  • MIAbronco

    bj raji may be a top 10 pick after the combine. he will be an abosolute beast

  • broncoNM

    Ya fox reported we are setting up an interview next week with Leslie Frazier. Why not rex ryan?

  • http://broncotalk.net Ian Henson

    haha, what’s with USC and incredible safeties? Ronnie Lott, Dennis Smith, Troy Palamalu and now this kid…

  • http://broncotalk.net Ian Henson

    btw- the Leslie Frazier story is posted, didn’t see you guys talking about it before, sorry =)

  • http://horviltiki.com Horvil Tiki

    hey guy, the malooga come at you with crazy feet I see this guy on youtobe and he come out of knowhere on screen guy, all sudden he in you face on screen destruct quart back. He the burst speed overwhelm. you say what was that when looke. Maybe they take the dj willam makey the middle line back take the woodard dj spot and then get other guy line defence or safety.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    @broncoNM In regard to Rex Ryan, it was said on 850 KOA that Bowlen and the Ryan personalities probably would not make a good fit, so don’t expect to see Rex as our head coach.

  • steve

    being a usc fan and living in southern cal, ive been watching this guy for 2 years, if he’s there we had better take him…he is the next ed reed, no doubt in my mind

    the only problem is that in every draft projection ive seen so far they show him going higher. So lets not get our hopes up, cuz both mays and maleuga might be gone, in which case we should go laurinitis from osu…

  • steve

    horvil tiki –

    you should write a book. i cant stop laughing when i read your posts.

    do you speak the way you write???

  • Bobby

    I think our Draft strategy should be:

    “Draft the best defensive player available that isn’t a CB or WLB”

    We need help all over the field

  • broncoNM

    Thanks Josh! Thats exactly what i was wondering. Good Work.

  • MIAbronco

    bj raji. that is all

  • Bucky

    why not a CB, we need help there as well.

  • jcampb72

    first and foremost we need to stop the run so a top pick in the front seven would be mine…malauloga maybe.

  • kerry

    thats what you are going by?? his Rose Bowl game?? come on man. its time to build the D-line. a safety doesnt solve the run stopping problems. BJ Raji or Terrence Cody is where the pick needs to be used.

  • Jordan C

    I agree about a DT first round. Alongside Haynesworth…

    Early Mock Through Round 5 –

    1. Raji DT
    2. Rashad Johnson S
    3. Ben Graham LE
    4. Holtzclaw MLB
    5. Sherrod Martin CB (if avail.)
    5. Rashad Jennings RB (if avail.)

  • kerry

    its absolutely time to build the D-line. every year someone makes some big plays in the Rose Bowl and everybody screams that we have to have them. this year its Mays and Rey Maualuga. last year it was Rashard Mendenhall. we have to fix the BIGGEST problem and the biggest problem isnt in the secondary. its the Dline. a safety means nothing if we cant rush the passer. if a QB has all day to throw it doesnt matter how fast a safety is or how many hits he had in the Rose Bowl. its time to fix the Biggest weakness on the team. and thats the D-line. a signing of Haynesworth to go with Raji or Terrence Cody would be excellent. then Rashad Johnson at safety in the second round.

    oh and look at all the scouting reports. the scouts have William Moore OVER Taylor Mays. Taylor Mays is only the FASTEST safety in the draft. and that doesnt translate to being the best. William Moore is the better all around saftey and does have 4.35-4.40 speed in the 40. if ANY safety goes at 12 it needs to be William Moore. but realistically it needs to be BJ Raji or Terrence Cody. the D-line comes first. especially if Spagnuolo is the coach. he wont build the secondary until later in the draft.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net East

    Thank you Kerry I completely agree.

    Mays physical stats are inflated as well, he’s around 6’2 210. You also bring up a great fact about who cares how fast the safety is when the QB has all day to throw. Mays is a lot like Josh Barrett physically and Barrett was a projected 3rd rounder that fell drastically.

    Denver needs to focus on the basics which for defense is the D-Line. Marcus Thomas needs help up there and I think Terrance Cody would be a great pick up.

  • kerry

    East:

    Mays is WAY overrated. just like Michael Huff was coming out of Texas a few years ago. i dont know where the guy who wrote this article got that Mays is 6’4 240. Mays has a high bust factor too. what the youtube videos that everybody watches doesnt show, is that he is a mediocre tackler at best. he is not very perceptive in coverage either. his speed is so good that he isnt challenged enough. that mixed with the fact that they play in a terrible Pac-10 that has no elite QB accept Sanchez, shows that he is way overrated. he will be a combine warrior thats for sure. everybody was the same way over Rashard Mendenhall last year after the Rose Bowl. some in Denver already had him annointed as the next Terrell Davis and we needed to draft him when in fact Jonathan Stewart was the Elite back in last years draft.

    i get tired of hearing the same old “did you see the rose bowl game that so and so player played in?? he had a big hit and runs fast in a straight line so we just HAVE TO DRAFT HIM!!” nobody ever stops and observes his fundamental ability at playing the position. they see a flash and say he is so great.

    Al Davis drafts on a big game and 40 times. so look for Mays to be gone to the Raiders at number 7.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple
  • kerry

    Josh:

    oh i have plenty of a clue. ive checked multiple sites that arent run by USC and they have him rated 6-2 225. another one him at 6-4 213. walterfootball.com has him at 6-4 225.

  • kerry

    josh:

    dude i just checked your little link to the article about Mays. and seriously read more carefully. Mays says he is 240 because he is eating too much, not because he is actually built that way, so really he is overweight and not at his true playing weight. so your 240 pound reference means he is just eating a few extra cheeseburgers instead of building muscle or having healthy playing weight.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    And another site officially lists him at 6-3, 230 so take for what it’s worth.

  • robtink242

    So basically Mays is between 225- 240. I will side with kerry on this one. Mays is a question mark. he can deliver a big blow but he hardly ever wrap up the ball carrier. the nfl is full with pros one juke and its a big miss takle.

    lets get a line in the first round, then a Free Saftey, trade bly and boss bailey and pick up a steller LB(sam or mike).

    Hey, who’s coaching this team?

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