Derek Wolfe, the Denver Broncos Second Round Draft Pick

Derek Wolfe poses for a headshot during the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

Two days, 35 draft picks selected and the Denver Broncos finally make a selection. I had a couple of defensive tackles rated higher than Derek Wolfe, but he is the guy John Elway believes will be the impact player he wants anchoring the interior of the new Orange Crush defense.

Wolfe seems to be more of a read and react type of player than relying purely on talent alone to beat the defender.  This could pay dividends as the Broncos defense has been know to be undisciplined at times, so drafting guys who maintain discipline in their assignments is likely why Wolfe was ranked so highly on Elway’s draft board.

Let’s take a look at NFL.com’s draft profile for Wolfe:

Wolfe is a big interior lineman, and plays very instinctively to be a factor in the run game. He is a slow-moving, non-explosive athlete, but this doesn’t define his games and he finds other ways to be a factor. He can get overpowered by double teams, and will need to continue to develop his technique to not get erased there. Based off his frame and potential, he has late-round value in the draft.

STRENGTHS Wolfe is an instinctual player who understands how to engage a lineman, extend his arms, and read the flow of the play to move off his blocks and make his big frame a factor inside. He sees screens well and is good to work off his man to disrupt plays inside. He can defeat single blocks well, and is a decent pass rusher when put in the right scheme where slants and stunts can put him in good position.

WEAKNESSES Wolfe struggles off the ball to get into his slants. He is a slow mover and will not blow back any offensive lineman off the ball. He sometimes relies too heavily on his ability to diagnose, as it will seem like he is reading the play so long that he just simply gets erased by blockers. Double teams will give him a lot of trouble and he is on his back often when faced with them; NFL teams will see right through that and get an extra hand on him in the run game.

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