Monday, May 4, 2015

Broncos 2015 NFL Draft Picks

Here is the 2015 Broncos Draft Class with some analysis and thoughts after each pick……


1st Round: #23 Overall- Shane Ray-DE (Missouri): The Broncos traded up with Detroit from the #28 spot to snag the falling Ray. Denver also gave up a 5th round pick (#143 overall), a 2016 5th round pick, a Guard Manny Ramirez to move up and get him. This his a risk-reward situation for the Broncos. They end up with a player who was a top-10 talent and a dominant pass rusher who fell down the board in the 1st round. Denver gets a guy who can come in and help a pass rush that already has Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. Ray can be a big help to this defense and give them another dimension, but of course the off the field concerns could be an issue with Ray. You worry about a player who got busted with weed three days before the draft going to team that plays in a city where Marijuana is legal. What could possibly go wrong there? All jokes aside, if Ray keeps his head on straight, this was a very solid move by the Broncos.

2nd Round: #59 Overall-Ty Sambrailo-OT (Colorado State): The Broncos had to address their offensive line in this year's draft, and they did so in Round 2. Sambrailo seems to fit Gary Kubiak's idea of an offensive lineman in his system, and there is a solid chance that Sambrailo steps in and starts at RT from day one. Remember in 2011 when Denver took Orlando Franklin in the 2nd round? Well, Franklin came in and became an immediate starter, and that is what Denver is hoping for with Sambrailo.

3rd Round: #92 Overall-Jeff Heuerman-TE (Ohio State): With the Broncos re-signing Virgil Green and signing Owen Daniels and James Casey in the offseason, some might be surprised with the pick of Heuerman in this spot, but it could be a move that pays off. You have to figure out some way to replace Julius Thomas' production, so why not try a three-headed system of Green, Daniels, and the young Heuerman. I can't see this move having that much affect this year, but down the road this could definitely be a solid pick.

4th Round: #133 Overall-Max Garcia-C/G (Florida): Garcia can play both Center and Guard, and that will be very valuable to this team. Look for Garcia to back up both positions this year, and get a chance to crack the starting lineup in 2016.

5th Round: #164 Overall-Lorenzo Doss-CB (Tulane): Doss has a pretty productive career at Tulane, and you can never have enough corners on the roster. Look for Doss to contribute on special teams this year, but it will be hard for him to get a lot of playing time in crowded group of CBs.

6th Round: #203 Overall-Darius Kilgo-DT (Maryland): If Kilgo makes the active roster out of training camp, I can't see him getting activated much during the regular season. He will be a rotational guy out of necessity at best. He could also be a very prime candidate for the practice squad as well.

7th Round: #250 Overall-Trevor Siemian-QB (Northwestern): Siemian will have a chance to compete to Zac Dysert for the #3 job at QB, but look for him to be a prime candidate for the practice squad next year.

7th Round: #251 Overall-Taurean Nixon-DB (Tulane): Another Tulane secondary member gets drafted by the Broncos. Nixon will most likely be fighting for a roster spot and avoid getting cut in training camp. His best option is to stick on the practice squad in 2015.

7th Round: #252 Overall: Josh Furman-S (Oklahoma State): Furman is interesting because he probably has a better chance to make the active roster than Nixon because the depth at Safety is not as deep as Cornerback. If he doesn't make the roster in training camp, then Furman will be a practice squad candidate as well.