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

The Denver Broncos have selected Malik Jackson with the 137th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

John Elway and John Fox have something in mind for the new Orange Crush defense and it’s to get after the quarterback!  Jackson is a quality speed rusher and adds competition with Robert Ayers opposite Elvis Dumervil.  With the dearth of sacks over the last several years – even with Elvis getting it done – is likely one of the big points of focus moving forward.

It will be hard for teams like the Patriots to spread the Broncos out and pick them apart like they were able to do last year. Why? Because Tom Brady wannabes will not have all day to throw the ball anymore. Focus in on Dumervil, Von Miller will be coming.  Take Von Miller and Dumervil out, here comes Derek Wolfe or Malik Jackson.  This draft just his the B- range.  Go Broncos!

What do you fans think of this pick?

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Philip Blake poses for a headshot during the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 23 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

The Denver Broncos have selected Philip Blake with the 108th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

This is a solid pickup for the Broncos.  He will compete immediately for the starting job with J.D. Walton.  Blake has better size and athleticism than Walton, so we should see him to start to contribute at some point this year. John Elway continues drafting areas of need.

As the third and final day of the NFL Draft continues, the final grade for the Broncos is rising.  Let’s hope this trend continues!

What do you fans think of this pick?

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Arizona State University defensive back Omar Bolden poses for a portrait during the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

The Denver Broncos have selected Omar Bolden with the 101st pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

It is becoming apparent that whoever scouts the Southwestern United States has the most sway with the top brass as the Broncos continue to draft players from that region.  John Elway seems to continue to reach for players from every big board except their own, but this pick does address yet another need for the Broncos.  In a way, this pick addresses the most glaring hole from Eddie Royal‘s departure in terms of the return game.

We’ll see how it works out, but at least we appear to be tackling the positions of need in the draft over BPA.  This draft will definitely need a few years before receiving a final grade from analysts.

What do you fans think of this pick?

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Sorry I am running late today! I slept in after staying up late mostly complaining about the Denver Broncos first actual day of drafting. I’m hoping for some VALUE picks today, rather than more reaches. Go Broncos!

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ANALYSIS: Although the move up was pretty large picks 67 and 87 have had the same historical results. The Browns received a healthy premium.
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You can be right, but wrong at the same time.

Don’t freak out just yet. Osweiler may not even be available here, but if he is the Broncos just might take him.

The above quote is from my 2012 Denver Broncos Draft Preview, where I had Brock Osweiler mocked to Denver at 87th overall. I was right; Brock Osweiler would not be available at 87. However, I was wrong.

Instead, the Denver Broncos selected Brock Osweiler thirty spots earlier at 57th overall.

Osweiler, a 15 game starter as Arizona State, came out a year earlier than expected. His junior year was his only full year as a starter.

During his starting season he completed 63% of his passes for 4,036 yards, 26 TDs and 13 interceptions.

Arizona State uses a lot of screen and swing passes so many of his down field accuracy was not tested too often. John Fox however, was not too concerned.

Fox: Osweiler’s accuracy, mobility impressed him. Osweiler was the highest player on Denver’s board at No. 57.

— MaxBroncos (@MaxBroncos) April 28, 2012

Osweiler’s arm is strong and he has proven he can be accurate with the deep ball, but he can be very inconsistent.  Click here to read the rest of this entry »

San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman jumps into the end zone for a touchdown against New Mexico in the second half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, in San Diego. San Diego State beat New Mexico 35-7. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

I asked the BroncoTalk staff four simple questions. Here are each of their answers (of those staffers available):

Tim Lynch

Thoughts on Day 2 of the draft: I like both Derek Wolfe and Ronnie Hillman, but Brock Osweiler is a head scratcher. A friend of mine summed it up perfectly for me when he said that we essentially traded one developmental quarterback for a late round draft pick and then used a second rounder to draft a developmental quarterback anyway. It makes little sense, but I certainly hope it works out.

Favorite pick: Ronnie Hillman. Even though Lamar Miller was on the board, this guy seems to be an undervalued diamond in the rough that could pay huge dividends for the Broncos. I also really like Derek Wolfe, as you can’t put a grade on a player’s relentlessness. You’ve got to respect and love that in any player, so I’m happy with that even if it was a bit of a reach.

Least favorite pick: John Elway’s Godson. Hate it and will continue to hate it until he is either proven to be a franchise quarterback or until we draft his replacement very high in the first round 3-4 years from now.

Grade: D+ with a side of headscratcher.

Jon Heath Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Ronnie Hillman poses for a headshot during the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

The Denver Broncos have selected Ronnie Hillman with the 67th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

This is absolutely the right pick.  John Elway, more than anyone, understands that a premier rushing attack combined with a franchise quarterback will put a team within striking distance of a World Championship each and every year.

Hopefully, this is the final piece of the puzzle that sets a potential championship run into motion.  Though Lamar Miller was still on the board, Hillman will compliment Willis McGahee nicely as they will have the experience and youthful exuberance that will likely be a recipe for success.

What do the rest of you Bronco fans think?

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Brock Osweiler poses for a headshot during the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

The Denver Broncos have selected Brock Osweiler with the 57th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

It is hard to contain the rage this pick brings me as a fan, but apparently John Elway thinks this guy is going to be the next Drew Bledsoe…err, I mean Tom Brady.

The Broncos brass decided it could not wait until the 2013 draft for a quarterback or even the third round of this years’ draft, but Osweiler is the pick and we’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out.

What do the rest of you Bronco fans think?

See also: Brock Osweiler, QB – Denver Broncos draft report

Bearcat turned Bronco: Cincinnati DT Derek Wolfe is the Denver Broncos' top draft choice in 2012.

The Denver Broncos select DT Derek Wolfe with their top pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and my initial reaction was similar to that of many others’.

“Who?!”

Of course, I’m half-joking. I had heard of Wolfe. He was just a defensive tackle I had hardly scouted compared to the likes of Michael Brockers, Jerel Worthy, or Devon Still. With Worthy and Still still available when the Broncos made the pick, you can understand my bewilderment at the selection of Wolfe.

That bewilderment was quickly replaced by excitement. Wolfe appears to be a beast. Consider:

• Productive — Wolfe had a hugely productive 2011 season, tallying 21.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Those numbers are better than both Still and Worthy had in 2011.
• Relentless — Where Worthy and Still both have up-and-down motor concerns, Wolfe is renowned for his relentlessness. For example: the lean DT broke through a triple team in the fourth quarter of Cincinnati’s game against Pittsburgh in 2011 for a sack (an intentional grounding). I like defensive tackles who break through triple teams in fourth quarters for sacks.
• Quoteable — Wolfe told 104.3 FM Denver minutes after being drafted, “I just like to kick ass.” He also told reporters in a conference call he intends to push for a starting job on the DL right away.
• Measurables — He had a killer combine, running a 5.01 40-time (better than both Still/Worthy) and putting up 33 reps on the bench press (also better than Still/Worthy).

The main knocks against Wolfe are his maturity before his senior year (being a one-year wonder), and the level of competition. Those are legit concerns. But the Broncos are betting they got a steal in this versatile 6’5″, 298-pounder.

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: Click here to read the rest of this entry »