The Denver Broncos could see a slew of different options at 12 depending on how the first eleven picks pan out, but one things for certain: where Boston College QB Matt Ryan falls will have a bigger effect on their options than just about anything else.

There are thought to be three to four teams ahead of the Broncos who would be interested in Ryan (Falcons, Chiefs, Jets, Ravens). All of these teams are also likely considering drafting the best offensive lineman on the board, among other choices (with exception to the Jets, who just drafted D’Brickashaw Ferguson with a high first rounder 2 years ago). If Ryan goes early to the Falcons or Chiefs, it could easily start a domino effect that would see the Broncos losing out on one or two of the top tackle prospects left.

If Ryan escapes the first three teams and falls to the Ravens, many expect Baltimore to take the quarterback. A player like Ryan Clady (you knew it was coming) could easily fall to the Broncos then.

Meanwhile, the ultimate landing spot of USC DT Sedrick Ellis could have a big effect on the running backs available to Denver at 12. There are a lot of fans clamoring for a RB like Rashard Mendenhall or Jonathan Stewart; don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you.

If Ellis goes early (literally anyone before the Bengals could take him), teams like the Chiefs, Jets, Ravens, and Bengals could end up taking the 2nd running back on the board, leaving Denver with Stewart (which may be just what they want anyway).

The scenarios of who will fall to 12 are easily the most exciting, gut-wrenching parts of the draft. Will your guy fall to the Broncos at 12? Everyone is hoping for someone different – tomorrow we’ll see who gets their wish!

I mean, if there was a guy who could break the Madden curse, it would be Brett Favre. But I don’t know. I wouldn’t stray too close to the front of my tractor there, Brett.

Pic by Awful Announcing

• For those fans clamoring for a youth movement on the defensive line the past few years: OK.  You got it.  [Denver Post]
• The Broncos are rumored to be happy to draft any of the 3 top tackles left.  [Denver Post]
• I’m convinced the Bill Williamson reads BroncoTalk.  What do you think?  [ESPN]
• Mike Klis‘ mock has us taking Chris Williams.  [Denver Post]
• More details about the Dewayne Robertson trade.  If D-Rob doesn’t make it healthy through training camp, the Broncos don’t owe the Jets a single pick.  [Denver Post]
• Broncos Fan Fair tickets go on sale Saturday.  [DenverBroncos.com]
• Jim Saccomano reminds us of the gems that can be found in the late rounds.  [DenverBroncos.com]
• MLB: Right back at ya, Cubbies.  [Yahoo! Sports]
• NHL: Redwings take a 1-0 series lead.  [Yahoo! Sports]

The polls all close at 3PM EST today (1 PM Denver time)… here are links to each poll so you can let your voice be heard! If you missed a day, don’t worry, they’re all right here, along with approval ratings current at the time of this posting.

• Defensive End (23% Approval)
• Running back (47% Approval)
• Defensive Tackle (73% Approval)
• Offensive Tackle (86% Approval)
• Linebacker (32% Approval)
• Center/Guard (22% Approval)
• Cornerback (11% Approval)
• Wide Receiver (19% Approval)
• Safety (6% Approval)

We’ll post the final report later today.

Should the Denver Broncos take a safety in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft?

We’ve given you the reasons they should… we’ve also given you reasons they shouldn’t…. now you tell us!

Vote by taking the jump or using the upper left sidebar.

FULL REPORT ON ALL POSITIONS LATER TODAY!!

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Part two of today’s series explores why the Denver Broncos should not select a safety in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.  Enjoy!

The Broncos have 4.5 safeties on the roster right now.  John Lynch, Marquand Manuel, Marlon McCree, Hamza Abdullah, and half-safety half-blogger Domonique Foxworth.  That’s pretty well stacked for a 53-man roster.  If they were to draft another safety, who would be the odd man out?

Lynch is a veteran leader who just agreed to a smaller contract… I certainly hope he’s not the one out the door.  Manuel and McCree were just signed to decent deals in free agency.  It definitely doesn’t make sense to let them go.  And Abdullah is still developing, constituting the only safety with any real upside.  Foxworth is a half blogger, which is vital!  So who goes?

Also, the only safety with a first round grade is Kenny Phillips.  Some scouts even say he shouldn’t be given a first round grade, and that in another draft class he would have been well behind other players taken in the early 2nd round other years.  If the Broncos trade down it’s a possibility, but there are so many greater needs elsewhere.

And that’s the snag we always hit, my friends.  Greater need elsewhere.  The Broncos need to fix these lines before they worry about adding a 5.5th safety to the mix.

As draft day approaches, BroncoTalk will be giving you game tape highlights of some of the bigger (and smaller) names around the draft.  Looking at another player further down the board brings us this prospect. Today’s installment is the home state Inside/Middle Linebacker from Colorado Jordon Dizon.

As usual the first video is Sports Illustrated’s scouting report on Dizon.  The second video is a cool little interview with Dizon and his position coach at CU.  The third is Dizon’s combine workout.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Today’s the last day for the BroncoTalk Draft Breakdowns, and we’re tackling safeties today (instead of the other way around. No, it never gets old). We’ll tell you why the Broncos should draft one in the first round, why they shouldn’t, then leave it up to you in the poll. Enjoy!

The Denver Broncos fell apart at the safety position last year, to put it simply.  After John Lynch went down due to injury, and Nick Ferguson‘s performance fell off, the team was suddenly relying on unproven guys to fill the void.  Hamza Abdullah showed both upside and down, and Domonique Foxworth continued to show his versatility.

But Foxworth could very well be your fabled “Jack of all Trades, Master of None.”  John Lynch returned at a lower price, and believe me, I love him for it, but this is almost certainly his last year.

The Broncos bought in two veterans, Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree, for valuable depth and to compete for a starting job.  My hunch is that Hamza and McCree have the edge in the lineup, although if Lynch is healthy he could easily have something to say about that.

The problem is that all of these safeties, with perhaps the exception of Abdullah, have seemed to reach their potential already.  We’re not looking at upside with these players.  They’re band-aids until the Broncos can find someone else long term.

Drafting a safety with the talent that would warrant a first round pick would definitely improve the team.  I’d recommend moving down to do it and take Kenny Phillips, and that would complement an already very talented secondary quite nicely.

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting that the long, long, long negotiated trade for Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson is finally a done deal. Reported compensation is an undisclosed 2009 conditional draft pick or picks

Finally, this is behind us. I’m really interested to hear what the picks are exactly.

• The Denver Broncos have released information to get you ready for the 2008 NFL draft – check it out at the official site.  [DenverBroncos.com]
• Broncos draft pick order quick reference.  [The Beat]
• Are Chris Williams and Jeff Otah slipping down draft boards?  [Rocky Mountain Fever]
• Woody Paige would like to trade down and take Kentwan Balmer.  OK.  [Denver Post]
• NFL: Former Patriots video employee Matt Walsh is finally gonna put this whole Spygate thing behind us, right?  [Courant.com]
• NFL: Pacman Jones is heading to Big D. [ESPN]
• NBA: Don’t worry, Nuggets fans, we can mourn together.  Both Denver and my Suns are 0-2.  [No link because it hurts too much]
• MLB: 10,000 wins for the Cubs.  The Rockies say, “You’re welcome.”  [Yahoo! Sports]