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Published on 04/19/2010 at Mon Apr 19 07:38.
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2010 Draft: A Quick Glance at Round 3

Posted Mon Apr 19th by

The draft countdown continues. Bronco fans, we are only four mere days away from the start of the elongated draft format. Continuing with the series, today I’ll look at what Denver might attempt in the third round this year.

Round 3
Just like last time I’ll go about assuming Denver has already selected the following players:

Pick 11: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Pick 43: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Pick 45: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Tim Tebow, yeah I said it. Now that the world is focused on the Broncos for picking Tebow you’ll have to look extra hard to just to hear any other news Denver related. Don’t be discouraged however, the third round this year will possibly be the most interesting for the Broncos, especially given the possibility of a looming Tony Scheffler trade. This is the round where teams look for depth. The Broncos are looking to help out their young running back, Knowshown Moreno, in all ways possible. Does this mean they stack the line this draft or give him a solid backup? Does Jarvis Green get a protege? Who gets to be the honor of the 80th overall pick of the draft?

Pick 80: Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford

His name is Toby. I know you’re waiting for an offensive lineman, but it’s exactly like how you were waiting for a defensive lineman throughout the last draft. Josh McDaniels is okay with Ross Huchstein at left guard for the moment. I don’t see an offensive guard going to Denver in this round unless a player like John Asamoah is available. If you’re looking for an offensive linemen early this draft, I think you’ll be disappointed.

Pros

Toby Gerhart is a player who will help Peyton Hillis fanboys recuperate from their woes. I mean could it really hurt to have another Standford number seven? Josh McDaniels values high character players who produce in college, therefore selecting Toby Gerhart about a round high too high seems about right to me. Positional value is overrated in this case however. Gerhart is a strong and hard working runner with great vision, who is more than worthy of this selection. While at Standford Gerhart proved that if you want to take him down you better bring everything you got or he’s just going to go right through you. This is a kind of player Denver desperately needed in their short yardage situations last season. Gerhart could provide that extra power to the run game that keeps the defense honest and add an extra target for Kyle Orton to dink and dump it off to. If Toby can pull that off then a third round pick is well worth it.

Cons

Not to be critical of the man, but he could really use some work on his technique. Gerhart relies very strongly on his power running. You can tell that Gerhart is powerful just by watching any video of him. However, the way he runs won’t cut it every time in the NFL. Men such as Patrick Willis would eat him for breakfast. Watching Gerhart run is like watching a nurse measure a five-year-old’s height, they both stand as tall as possible. With proper coaching Gerhart can fix these flaws though. This is a guy I wish Bobby Turner was still around for, but Eric Studesville is more than qualified as well. Gerhart also lacks elite speed, but his combine 40 time (4.53) was very impressive for his size (6’0, 230).

Other Possibilities

John Asamoah, G, Illinois

Montario Hardesty, Tennessee

Matt Tennant, C, Boston College

John Jerry, G, Ole Miss

Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida

Roster Implications

The selection of Gerhart would crowd the backfield before training camp just like last season. McDaniels will likely only keep three backs which will leave the injury prone vets J.J. Arrington and Correll Buckhaulter vulnerable.

What do you think Bronco fans? Like the prospect of Toby Gerhart? Who do you deem round three worthy? Drop a comment to let me know.

  • TheTroglodyte

    There are two GREAT wr's nobody is talking about in this draft and we could really clean up if we snagged one in the 2nd round and one in the 3rd round.

    Eric Decker – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqF5cHt9B2A
    Terrell Hudgins – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P6JYMvVAKk

  • ETL

    Hudgins is slooooowwwwwww, so slow that you can't even say “40 times are overrated!” The guy is just flat out slow! Trent Williams can run faster. Too bad for him because he is a great receiver otherwise.

    Decker is such a wildcard because of his injury. Also, he really doesn't have much room for improvement. He is what he is.

  • DenversFinest

    so we traded scheffler and a 7th for a 5th rounder? WTF!

  • Peter

    Great draft picks. Really. I notced so far that you have denver starting the season without a center or an upgrade at the gaurd positions. Unless, of course, you believe denver is thinking of switching Tebow to the line. I would be in heaven if the rounds went something like this:
    Pick 11: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
    Pick 43: Matt Tennant, C, Boston College
    Pick 45: John Jerry, G, Ole Miss

  • TheTroglodyte

    Hudgins ran a 4.48 40 on grass which isn't bad. The guy broke many of Jerry Rice's records. If he can get open or leap up and make the catch, I don't care about him having break away speed. He can move the chains.

    Decker is a bit of a wildcard which is why if we got him we would need another person on the list. He is a high character and smart guy who can quickly learn the complex routes McD likes to run and he doesn't drop the ball which is a problem we had last year. He can also adjust very well to slightly off balls, another problem we had last year.

    Those two on the field plus Royal would really stretch the secondary in all facets.

  • TheTroglodyte

    That's awesome! We got more for a guy who has never caught 50 balls or more than 5 td's in a season than Pittsburgh did for Holmes.

  • kerry

    yep. Scheffler and a 7th goes to Detroit, Detroit sends Ernie Simms to the Eagles and we get a 5th rounder. again another shitty deal by McD. and the McD lovers come to his defense of this trade in 5….4…..3….2…..1 begin!

  • MrEast

    Matt Tennant at 43 and John Jerry at 45 would be terrible value. You can get Jerry at 80. I don't think McD is going to target olinemen high if some of the guys he likes are available. I do think though that he will go OL in the later rounds just like he did last year.

  • ocbronco

    The 7th isn't highly valued but an early 5th in this draft is actually pretty solid. Only Bronco fans think Scheffler has great potential…… Which he never lived up to making it pure hype.

    He was a malcontent when we traded Cutler and then quit on the team at the end of the season so I'm happy we got rid of him. Maybe he's learned his lesson and plays well for Detroit. I wish him luck.

    And now we are back in the 5th round!

  • MrEast

    I don't really like the trade, but then again I really don't like Scheffler. The guy has no work ethic and a huge attitude problem. Not really much you can get for him when he catches 15 passes a season and sits the bench for the rest. I blame Shanahan more than McD. Shanahan loves drafting high upside players with no work ethic or football IQ.

  • ocbronco

    I like it – Beef up the middle!! I would actually like to see Ducasse as he is said to be versatile – a Starter at Guard right away and could also play Tackle if Harris isn't back 100%.
    I actually think we take a Tackle in the first 3 rounds that is versatile enough to play Guard or a guy like Ducasse I just mentioned…

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    I would love Toby. Also, East, its funny, with every post your NFL Draft logo photoshopping skills to get it to say '2010' gets better and better lol.

  • Peter

    Mr. East,
    These are the two I want, but will probably be gone by the time Denver picks in the second round. Maurkice Pouncey , C Mike Iupati , OG .
    The point I want to make is that by getting a huge center and gaurd to fit in with the present tackles, denver would be set on the O line for the next 10 years ( excluding injuries).
    Once that's done, our running backs will be better, the QB will be way better. Drafting WR or RB in this draft won't do anything for us in the next two years.

  • MrEast

    Haha I can't take credit for that, I found it. I was too lazy to take my own time to do it.

  • MrEast

    I don't disagree at all. I'm just trying to predict what is most likely to happen. However I do like some of the lower round OL guys such as Eric Olsen. I would like Iupati in the lower first if McClain is gone, and Olsen later on. That would solidify the line. Drafting centers high isn't always a great idea because 4th and 5th round centers can be career starters as well.

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    lol, kinda figured, but at least you took time to find it right? Haha, good stuff as always.

  • NMBronc

    Tebow and Toby would be a waste, although the first two picks would be better than last year. Pretty sure McD was blindfolded and throwing darts last year. I beleive they have in Quinn there QB of the future. Not sold on that myself, but hoping for the best. Toby is Hillis part 2 and McD did not use Hillis. Based on your draft picks, I think Tennant is more likely at this spot.

  • MrEast

    Tennant could possibly be here if McDaniels likes him more. Which no one really knows that answer. Eric Olsen, a Notre Dame guy will be available in the 4th round. McDaniels likes Notre Dame players because they fit his system better and they're usually smarter guys (usually).

    Just because you want OL early doesn't mean McDaniels delivers. I hope he takes a guy like Iupati or Pouncey if McClain isn't available. Even Asamoah in the third if he falls would be great. However, last season everyone expected defensive linemen in every round and none were selected. What did happen was that McDaniels picked offensive linemen with the later rounds.

    I get your reasoning that Toby Gerhart is Hillis part two, but he's more so Hillis 5.0. McDaniels tried many different backs on short yardage situations and none of them cut it. Everyone called Hillis the truck, but he was more so a fumbler last season. Hillis acted very confused and out of place in McDaniels' offense, football intelligence wasn't Hillis strong suite. This is why he did well in the zone blocking scheme, it's one cut and run like hell.

    Toby Gerhart is a smart, charismatic, and hard working guy who produced at a high level in college. McDaniels loves these guys. Gerhart has some flaws that hopefully with his intelligence can be coached out. Buckhaulter and Arrington are not the long term solution for providing depth for Moreno. Gerhart would be a great compliment for many years to come.

  • NMBronc

    Perhaps I should have qualified my post. I, like Jon, would love to have Toby as a Bronco. Just did not feel he would be utilized. Seemed like Hillis fumbled on that early season goal line drive and McD was done with him.
    I hope your right, beacuse brusing backs are fun to watch.

    Also, truly hoping that last year was just an anomoly and this year McD and Xanders will draft better. When McD stated that they did not have sufficient time to prepare, I always thought then why trade a first for a second and use a second on a 4th round TE.

  • MrEast

    I do agree with you on hoping last year was just a growing pain. Last year's draft class wasn't terrible compared to some Shanahan classes but still not stellar nonetheless.

    The Quinn trade wasn't bad, whereas the pick was. The trade was two thirds for a second and fourth, basically equal. If McD would have picked someone else than a blocking tight end it would have been a better move.

  • dmvegasbronco

    Where are you going to play tebow? If he is here as a three year project then a 2nd round is way too high.
    McX is smarter and will not WASTE a 2nd.

  • dmvegasbronco

    But now they have their replacement fot Graham next year right?

  • NMBronc

    He wasted a 1st and 2nd last year, imo. Yes, to your question above, we now have a replacement. Is a 2nd to high for a blocking TE?

  • MrEast

    I think Pitt played McDaniels on that trade. McDaniels really wanted Quinn and Pitt was showing signs of taking him. Who knows? Quinn might actually would have been a Steeler if no trade took place and we wouldn't have to hear about this “wasted pick.”

    I'm still down to give Quinn a season or two more before writing him off. However, I am down to write off the Smith trade. I still don't get that one. Even if Smith is the new Champ, the thought process makes no sense. I guess McD thought New England wanted him.

  • rcsodak

    I'd love Toby, after seeing him run vs OU. But I doubt it'll happen.
    1. Pouncey-C (moved back +2)
    1a. Tate-WR (moved up 2-2's+3)
    2. Jerry-DE/LB

    Done til Friday.

  • Will

    dear god what a terrible draft. if it actually happens like this (it won't because J-ville is taking tebow in the 2nd), we're screwed. you do realize that one of our biggest needs is C/G?

  • MrEast

    Sigh… do you not read the whole article? Were you one of the guys last year who said “There's no way Denver leaves the draft without a defensive lineman!”? What happened to that logic?

    All I'm saying is that McDaniels will most likely target Pouncey if McClain isn't there, but I'm thinking he will be. Then in the second Pouncey will be gone and then McDaniels will have to jump on a wide receiver before they're all gone. If Tebow is still around McDaniels might be too tempted to let him slide by. Then McDaniels looks around at all the available guards and centers, which most of them left will be available in rounds 4 and 5. Whereas Toby Gerhart may not be.

    Do you realize that you can draft a center or a guard in the 4th round and they can be career starters? How often can you say that bout a receiver, quarterback, running back, or linebacker?

  • rcsodak

    I'd love Toby, after seeing him run vs OU. But I doubt it'll happen.
    1. Pouncey-C (moved back +2)
    1a. Tate-WR (moved up 2-2's+3)
    2. Jerry-DE/LB

    Done til Friday.

  • Will

    dear god what a terrible draft. if it actually happens like this (it won't because J-ville is taking tebow in the 2nd), we're screwed. you do realize that one of our biggest needs is C/G?

  • MrEast

    Sigh… do you not read the whole article? Were you one of the guys last year who said “There's no way Denver leaves the draft without a defensive lineman!”? What happened to that logic?

    All I'm saying is that McDaniels will most likely target Pouncey if McClain isn't there, but I'm thinking he will be. Then in the second Pouncey will be gone and then McDaniels will have to jump on a wide receiver before they're all gone. If Tebow is still around McDaniels might be too tempted to let him slide by. Then McDaniels looks around at all the available guards and centers, which most of them left will be available in rounds 4 and 5. Whereas Toby Gerhart may not be.

    Do you realize that you can draft a center or a guard in the 4th round and they can be career starters? How often can you say that bout a receiver, quarterback, running back, or linebacker?