Elwayfan's Post Combine Mock

[elwayfan07]

Re-Sign/ Extend
- WR Brandon Marshall
- OG Chris Kuper
- DE/DT Kenny Peterson

Free Agency –


SS Yeramiah Bell- Josh McDaniels has said that Denver will be aggressive in free agency. Denver will have to replace at least 7 starters next year. Both safeties will be replaced. Bell is a player that McDaniels is very familiar with from the AFC East. Bell is a great run stuffing safety and will be able to start immediately at SS. He will be 30 at the start of the season and therefore, will not cost a lot of money and will have a relatively short deal. He will be able to allow Denver to have flexibility in the draft while having a stopgap for a few years.


DE Mike Wright- In a 3-4 defense the defensive line often gets overlooked, but it is the most important aspect to the overall success of the defense. Mike Wright is another one of those “” high effort” players that managed to make a good name for him by backing up the New England DL. He has been a solid back-up at both end spots and even has played some at nose tackle. His versatility will immediately help Denver with much depth on the defensive line. He will compete for a starting spot; an opportunity he would never get in New England. However, in the worst case scenario, he will be a part of what will figure to be a heavy rotation on the defensive line. He is yet another high value signing.


NT Colin Cole- As I have said before, the defensive line is the most important aspect of the 3-4 defense. On the defensive line the nose tackle takes on a double team every single down. He has to be able to effectively take on those double teams and still hold his ground. This will allow the linebackers to make the plays. Colin Cole is elite by no means, but he is still a solid, stop-gap NT until Denver can find one in the draft. Cole will be the opening day starter and Denver will hope a change of scenery will do him well.
[img]
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/03megZMexceG5/610x.jpg[/img]
CB Ronald Bartell- I do think Denver will open up the wallet a bit here. All of the other free agents will not cost a whole lot of money. Bartell will cost a decent chunk of change, but not insane money. Ronald Bartell has gone relatively unnoticed in the debacle that was St. Louis this year but he is a very good, physical corner. He will be able to come in and start immediately. He can jam bigger receivers and help in run support as well. His tackling ability will be vital to the improvement of the defense.


FS Sean Jones – Denver has made it obvious, it is looking for secondary players. Sean Jones could be one of the best players available. He would be able to start immediately and make an instant impact. Jones has the ability to play either safety position and is an absolute ball hawk. With the relatively weak secondary class, Denver will use free agency to drastically upgrade its porous secondary and address the front seven, via the draft.

Draft
Trades- > Denver trades Round 1 to New York Jets for round 1 and 3 picks- > NYJ select Matt Sanchez
Denver trades Elvis Dumervil and 6th round pick to Houston for 3rd round pick


Round 1- > Tyson Jackson DE LSU- As I have said many of times, the defensive line is the most important aspect of the 3-4. After, BJ Raji was taken Denver decides to try and trade down to pick up more picks. Tyson Jackson is the best 3-4 defensive lineman, after BJ Raji. Tyson Jackson is the prototypical 5-technique. Jackson has the ability to face the tackle or guard straight on and be able to win that battle. This will allow the linebackers to attack downhill and make plays. Jackson also has play making ability himself and will create mismatches for the offensive line. Jackson, bar none, is the player to take here.


Round 2 - > Ron Brace NT Boston College- I have said it many times. The most important position in the 3-4, is the nose tackle spot. At first, I had a few questions about Brace’s ability to hold up well enough as a 0 technique. However, the more I watch, I have no doubt he is stout enough to play nose tackle. He has good lower body strength but he has amazing upper body power that will allow him to anchor down and eat up double teams. Ron Brace will form a very nice rotation with Colin Cole and will help the linebackers thrive.


Round 3 A- > Lawrence Sidbury- This is where Denver has set itself up very nicely. They have a nice chunk of 3 picks in the 3rd round. This is the area where the best value is to be had. Denver takes advantage of this by selecting one of the hottest names right now. Lawrence Sidbury showed at the combine that he definitely has the skill set to thrive as a 3-4 OLB. He has very fluid hips and looks natural in space. He will instantly compete for a starting job. Worst case scenario, he will be a special teams demon.


Round 3 B – > Juaquin Iglesias WR Oklahoma- Denver has as good a starting 3 receivers as anyone. However, there is a huge drop off after that. With Stokley getting older, Denver would do well to add some more depth. Iglesias is a receiver that will not wow you with anything but he makes plays. He always seems to get open and he doesn’t miss balls. He is exactly the type of player this team should be built on . His pedestrian measurables will drop him but he could have one of the best careers of all the receivers.


Round 3 C - > Daniel Holtzclaw TED Eastern Michigan- When building the 3-4, it helps to build from the inside out. Holtzclaw is a tackling machine racking up 100+ tackles each of the last 2 seasons. With his size, he will be a great candidate for the “TED” position. As a TED he will be attacking the line of scrimmage and stuffing the run. His tackling ability will lend itself very well to this role. I would not be shocked if he started as a rookie. If not, it will only be a matter of time.


Round 4- > Courtney Greene S Rutgers- Denver upgrades its safety corps via free agency. However, Bell will be 31 this year and is really only a stopgap. Greene is similar to Sean Jones in that he can play either safety spot. He will learn for a year or two and could possibly land a starting job a few years down the road.


Round 5-> Orion Martin DE/OLB Virginia Tech- When looking at Orion Martin, you can’t necessarily look at triangle numbers. He may not run the fastest 40 and he is not the strongest player in the draft. What he is, is a guy that is always where he is supposed to be when he is supposed to be there and in a position to make a play. Martin is a playmaker. He will provide nice depth at OLB and could be a candidate for the SOLB position due to his good coverage ability.


Round 5- > Gartrell Johnson RB Colorado State- If you look down the roster of Denver, there is preponderance of smaller backs. Gartrell Johnson will be a departure and add balance to this. Johnson is a big physical back that gives you everything expect breakaway speed. He will be able to be a good 3rd down back at worst and eventually could work his way into a starting role.


Round 7 A -> Tom Brandstater QB Fresno State- Patrick Ramsey is a free agent. I think it would be beneficial to sign a Gary Kubiak type of back up.
Round 7 B- Jose Martinez K UTEP- Matt Praeter will not win the job unopposed again.
[/img]

[scbaseball7]

I don't care for a WR in the 3rd but I do like the rest.

Great job with the trade down, if we could get another third and pick up Tyson Jackson that would be awesome.
_________________


On the Cinci vs Denver game:

[jsthomp2007]

Why does Hotlzclaw look like he is still in high school. I would take Jasper Brinkley instead, if he is available; actually I would take him over Sibury; then this mock is complete.
_________________
Ninja stealth muggers in the Bellagio has left me in a state of congitive disonance...

[AnAngryAmerican]

For the most part it's pretty good. I too prefer Brinkley to Holtzclaw if no other reason than experience in the SEC counts for a lot more than experience in the Mid-American Conference.

The only thing that makes this slightly unrealistic is the Free Agency, most of the guys you have us picking up will be rather expensive. Who knows what the McDaniels/Xanders/Bowlen regime is going to do but most of the FAs we sign will be probably be depth or stop-gap guys. Bartell alone is expected to ask for $40,000,000 with $18,000,000 guaranteed.
_________________

Joe_is_the_best^

[broncosfan_101]

[elwayfan07]

[AKRNA]

Not quite so sure why every mock draft I see has us trading Elvis. He's a far better fit as an OLB in a 3-4 than he is an everydown DE in a 4-3.

He's a proven pass rusher, a great locker room guy and a great "team 1st" guy.

If you look at his combine #'s he's every bit as quick as the OLB's you want to draft @ #2 and get a 5th for him.

Trust me, he'll be on the roster this year, if only as a situationl 3rd down OLB. Personally, I'm betting he'll be much more.

You don't just trade away guys like this!

[AnAngryAmerican]