TotalBroncos

Collegefootballnews.com has the Broncos picking up an Offensive tackle in their most recent mock draft.

They list the Denver Broncos biggest needs as being on both lines: offensive tackle, offensive guard and defensive tackle. However, they rightly point out that the Broncos could pickup a receiver if they cut or trade Javon Walker, which seems likely at this time.

12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.

Don’t discount the possibility of a receiver if the team doesn’t believe in Javon Walker anymore. Jay Cutler could use some more weapons. There will still be decent receiver prospects in the second and third rounds, but a chance at getting centerpiece offensive tackle who can move like Ryan Clady can’t be passed up.

Three Biggest Needs: OT, OG, DT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State, 2. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt, 3. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

While this mock complies with conventional wisdom, which has been that since Matt Lepsis retired, that the Denver Broncos biggest need will be on the offensive line.

However, no one should discount Mike Shanahan’s penchant for believing in filling his line holes with lower round development players in their second or third years, along with free agent aquisitions.

In his season wrap-up press conference, Shanahan indicated he was very comfortable with Ryan Harris at left tackle. Whether that was Shanahan painting a rosy picture, or an indication of where he sees the teams needs, will be a bit clearer after the April draft.

Here are the other 11 picks to round out CFN’s top 12:

1. Miami Dolphins: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

The Dolphins need a ton of new talent and might try to trade down and get several picks, but that’s if Bill Parcells is more desperate to win now rather than build a foundation. The team needs a quarterback and can either hope to snag a Colt Brennan or Joe Flacco later on, pray for John Beck to pan out, or go with Matt Ryan.

Three Biggest Needs: QB, OT, DT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College; 2. Jake Long, OT, Michigan; 3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

 

2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

It might be tough to sell the fan base on yet another high pick on a defensive lineman, but if Long pans out and is as good as advertised, it’ll fill a glaring need for a consistent pass rusher. Addressing the offensive tackle needs will have to be done later on.

Three Biggest Needs: DE, OL, WR
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan, 2. Chris Long, DE, Virginia, 3. Ryan Clady, OT Boise State

3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Do the Falcons try to trade up to get Matt Ryan, stand pat and take Brian Brohm or try to trade down? If Dorsey falls here, the choice might be made for them. The team needs high-character players, and Dorsey certainly fits.

Three Biggest Needs: QB, DT, OT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College, 2. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville, 3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

McFadden isn’t a need pick, but Al Davis does like his wow factor. The better move would be to take one of the top offensive tackles, save a little bit of money and protect the team’s franchise player, JaMarcus Russell, for the next several years.

Three Biggest Needs: OT, DT, DE
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan, 2. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State, 3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

The Chiefs have plenty of big needs, and they’ll have to take a quarterback at some point, but this might be too high for Brian Brohm. Jake Long or Ryan Clady is the must pick for a line that needs rebuilding.

Three Biggest Needs: QB, OT, CB
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan, 2. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State, 3. Brian Brohm, QB Louisville

6. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St.

Gholston fits the scheme and could be versatile enough to use in several spots. He might not be the best player available, but he’ll go high in a light year for dangerous pass rushers. The Jets would like to go with a pure linebacker or receiver, but there isn’t one worthy of the six.

Three Biggest Needs: LB, DT, WR
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Keith Rivers, LB, USC, 2. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC, 3. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco): Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

It would be nice if Gholston slips this far — if the Pats think the former Buckeye star can be a hybrid of outside linebacker and end — but with corner help needed even without the Asante Samuel factor kicking in, getting a player like Mike Jenkins or Troy’s Leodis McKelvin will be a must.

Three Biggest Needs: CB, LB, RB
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida, 2. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy, 3. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

8. Baltimore Ravens: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

Baltimore is the biggest wild card of the early first round, with several glaring holes to fill. A franchise quarterback would be nice, a lockdown corner is a must, and another inside presence on the defensive line would be nice. If the Ravens don’t trade down, it’ll likely be a war-room battle with USC’s Sedrick Ellis and the top corner on the board, either South Florida’s Mike Jenkins or Troy’s Leodis McKelvin.

Three Biggest Needs: QB, CB, OT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville, 2. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida, 3. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

The Bengals will hope for Sedrick Ellis to slide, and could give some serious thought to one of the top offensive tackles on the board, but Harvey is the pass rusher they would’ve liked last year. Don’t rule out an attempt to trade down.

Three Biggest Needs: DT, DE, OT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC, 2. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida, 3. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

10. New Orleans Saints: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

It’s not like there are a slew of top linebacker talent in the first round, and Keith Rivers is a specimen who would be step one in upgrading the defense’s biggest problem. Top corners Leodis McKelvin and Mike Jenkins, if available, will also be considered, and help for the interior could also be addressed.

Three Biggest Needs: LB, CB, DT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Keith Rivers, LB, USC, 2. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina, 3. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

11. Buffalo Bills: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

There’s plenty of gabbing about the Bills trying to upgrade the receiving corps. That could come later (Lee Evans is better than you think). Beefing up the defense is a bigger problem, needing a good tackle, help for the linebacking corps, and a lock-down corner. It could be Leodis McKelvin or Mike Jenkins, if either is available.

Three Biggest Needs: CB, WR, LB
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida, 2. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy, 3. Keith Rivers, LB, USC

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