2017 Denver Broncos Draft Class

With the 2017 NFL Draft in the books, the Broncos will now turn their attention to the next phase of OTAs, Rookie Mini Camp, and then mandatory Mini Camp before they commence for the summer. It was a very productive draft for the Broncos, and there is a lot of reason for optimism as the Broncos head into the late spring and summer months, but before I breakdown the Broncos draft picks, there are a couple of things I would like to say about the NFL Draft in particular.

First, I love the draft and I always have been a fan of the event. Going back to when I was a kid in the 80s and watching the 1st round of draft on an April Sunday on ESPN, and I would then have to check the newspaper for the a review of who got picked in the later rounds after the broadcast went off the air. After the event was switched to a Saturday and Sunday afternoon setup, the draft exploded into a mega event on the NFL calendar and I loved it even more. It became a must watch for any NFL fan. In 2010, they switched the format to the current setup: Round 1 Thursday night, Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday night, and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday afternoon. It really bothers me that they moved it to this format. I hate the idea of only Round 1 on one night, and it takes away from the idea of Draft parties and that afternoon "feel" that football fans love. I would love, but I know they won't, for the NFL to go back to that format and scrap the current one.

Next, do we need the NFL to have former players on each team announce each pick on Day 2? Even more egregious is the idea that the NFL announces a lot of picks on Day 3 from other locations like a mountain side, a zoo, outer space, and a golf course amongst others. What a disaster that is. Who the hell thought this was a good idea? It makes the later rounds of the draft seem like a joke. If the NFL makes one change in any aspect of their product, I pray to God that they will just simply announce the picks in a normal fashion next year. Anyway, here is my breakdown of the 2017 Denver Broncos Draft Class....

Round 1 (Pick #20): Garret Bolles, Tackle, Utah
-The Broncos needed a Left Tackle, and they stayed put at 20 and let arguably the best tackle in the draft come to them. I know there could be an adjustment for Bolles in his first year and tackles are not a given in the 1st round as they were a decade ago, but this looks like the best move the Broncos could have made given where they were picking. Let's hope Bolles produces a solid pick just like Ryan Clady did back in 2008.

Round 2 (Pick #51): DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State
-There is a gaping hole at DE along the Broncos front seven, and Walker could be a guy that helps fill that role. He will likely play a rotational role this year, but I really like Walker, and I remember seeing him standout a lot in his time at FSU. You can't go wrong with more pass rushers, and I think Walker can even play inside on 3rd down situations. I really like this pick by John Elway.

Round 3 (Pick #82): Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
-Henderson brings a speed dimension to the Broncos that desperately need at the skill positions. The Broncos need another weapon to add to the Demaryius Thomas-Emmanuel Sanders combo, and Henderson could be just what they need. The speedster could help stretch the field and he can even return kicks, which is something that Denver hasn't had since Trindon Holliday in 2013.

Round 3 (Pick #101): Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar
-Langley is a big, tall CB who actually transferred to Lamar from Georgia. Most likely, Langley will be added the Broncos 4th or 5th cornerback and add depth to the group and contribute on special teams-like Kayvon Webster- his first year while he learns from the best secondary in the NFL.

Round 5 (Pick #145): Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
-This might be the most intriguing pick of the draft for the Broncos. Butt was a top TE talent until he tore is ACL in the Orange Bowl. He falls all the way to the Broncos in the 5th round, and if anything the Broncos now have a very talented TE who might be ready to contribute in 2018. As for 2017, it sounds like his rehab is ahead of schedule, and maybe they can put him on the PUP list to start the year, and he wouldn't have to return until October. In any event, if the Broncos get anything from Butt this year, than that is a plus, but going forward this could be a great value pick and a guy that can come in and help a very underwhelming group of tight ends on the roster.

Round 5 (Pick #172): Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia
-McKenzie is another speedster who can return punts and kicks. He will be in the mix with a crowded group of WRs on the roster, so look for him to be a practice squad candidate if he doesn't stick as a returner right away.

Round 6 (Pick #203): De'Angelo Henderson, RB, Coastal Carolina
-The Broncos traded away Kapri Bibbs on Day 3 of the draft to the 49ers, so there is an opening in the Broncos backfield. Henderson is a speed back, and maybe he can fill the void that was left after the Broncos mistakenly let Ronnie Hillman right before the 2016 season. If Henderson doesn't make the team in camp, then he looks like a practice squad candidate.

Round 7 (Pick #253): Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
-The Broncos selected Kelly as Mr. Irrelevant with the last pick in the entire draft. Kelly comes with a lot of baggage. He wasn't invited to the combine and he had a lot of character concerns in his college career. Some experts feel there is a tremendous amount of potential in him, but I just remember a very overrated QB when I watched him at Ole Miss. In any event, it can't hurt to take a flier on a guy like him with the last pick of the entire draft. If Kelly shows he can play, then he sticks on the practice squad. If he doesn't look very good in camp, then he will be cut loose.

2017 NFL Mock Draft

It is time for my final mock draft for this year's NFL Draft. The real intrigue will be what teams like Cleveland, San Francisco, the Jets, and Houston do about the QB position. This year's QB class isn't glamorous, but there is enough value in there to see some teams move up and around to get their guy. The Broncos need an offensive tackle, an offensive skill player, a defensive end, and an interior linebacker. Here is my mock draft for 2017. Let's see how close I can get when Round 1 kicks off on Thursday night.

Round 1:
#1) Cleveland Browns select Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

#2)  San Francisco 49ers select Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

#3)  Chicago Bears select Jonathan Allen, DE, Stanford

#4) Jacksonville Jaguars select Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

#5) Tennessee Titans select Jamal Adams, S, LSU

#6) TRADE: Cleveland trades their 1st Round selection (#12 overall and a 2nd Round selection (#33 overall)and a 5th Round selection (#175 overall) to the NY Jets for their 1st Round selection (#6 overall).

Cleveland Browns select Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

#7) Los Angeles Chargers select Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

#8) Carolina Panthers select Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

#9) Cincinnati Bengals select Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

#10) Buffalo Bills select O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

#11) New Orleans Saints select Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

#12) New York Jets (from Cleveland) select Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

#13) Arizona Cardinals select Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

#14) Philadelphia Eagles select Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

#15) Indianapolis Colts select Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri

#16) Baltimore Ravens select Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

#17) Washington Redskins select Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

#18) Tennessee Titans select John Ross, WR, Washington

#19) TRADE: Tampa Bay trades their 1st Round pick (#19 overall) to the Raiders for the Oakland's 1st Round pick (#24 overall) and Oakland's 3rd round pick (#88 overall).

Oakland Raiders select David Njoku, TE, Miami 

#20) Denver Broncos select Ryan Ramcyzk, OT, Wisconsin

#21) Detroit Lions select Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

#22) Miami Dolphins select Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky

#23) New York Giants select Garret Bolles, OT, Utah

#24) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Oakland) select Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

#25) Houston Texans select Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

#26) Seattle Seahawks select Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State

#27) TRADE:Kansas City trades their 1st Round pick (#27 overall) to the Indianapolis Colts for Indy's 2nd Round pick (#46 overall) and one of Indy's 4th round picks (#137 overall).

Indianapolis Colts select Cam Robinson, OT/G, Alabama

#28) Dallas Cowboys select Adoree Jackson, CB, USC

#29) Green Bay Packers select T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin

#30) Pittsburgh Steelers select Kevin King, CB, Washington

#31) Atlanta Falcons select Takkarist McKinely, DE, UCLA

#32) New Orleans Saints select Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

2017 Denver Broncos Schedule

Week 1: Monday September 11th: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (ESPN) 10:20pm EST

Week 2: Sunday September 17th: vs. Dallas (FOX) 4:25pm EST

Week 3: Sunday September 24th: at Buffalo (CBS) 1:00pm EST

Week 4: Sunday October 1st: vs. Oakland (CBS) 4:25pm EST

Week 5: BYE WEEK

Week 6: Sunday October 15th: vs. NY Giants (NBC) 8:20pm EST

Week 7: Sunday October 22nd: at Los Angeles Chargers (CBS) 4:25pm EST

Week 8: Monday October 30th: at Kansas City (ESPN) 8:30pm EST

Week 9: Sunday November 5th: at Philadelphia (CBS) 1:00pm EST

Week 10: Sunday November 12th: vs. New England (NBC) 8:20pm EST

Week 11: Sunday November 19th: vs. Cincinnati (CBS) 4:25pm EST

Week 12: Sunday November 26th: at Oakland (CBS) 4:25pm EST

Week 13: Sunday December 3rd: at Miami (CBS) 1:00pm EST

Week 14: Sunday December 10th: vs. NY Jets (CBS) 4:05pm EST

Week 15: Thursday December 14th: at Indianapolis (NBC) 8:25pm EST

Week 16: Sunday December 24th: at Washington (CBS) 1:00pm EST

Week 17: Sunday December 31st: vs. Kansas City (CBS) 4:25pm EST

Analysis:

-I was shocked the Broncos got five primetime games this year. I thought they would get three primetime games, but I can't believe they got a total of five. Let's really hope the Broncos are really good this year because they are going to be featured a ton.

-Very friendly start to the year with 4 out of their first 5 games at home and throw in the bye in Week 5 and the Broncos won't be traveling much at all until the end of October.

-The backend of the schedule is very tricky. 7 out of their last 11 games are on the road. We got stuck with the dreaded three straight road games, and we have a tough Thursday night trip to Indy. The one thing about that game is that they get 10 days off to get ready for Washington on Christmas Eve.

-The Broncos play early on Christmas Eve and in the afternoon slot on New Year's Eve. My New Year's Eve plans are set for that day.

-I had a feeling that we were going to get the backend of the MNF Week 1 opener. We have had that happen to us twice in the past, 2008 and 2011, and it isn't the greatest situation but I'll have to suck it up and deal with it.

-When you look at the schedule one of the things you have to look at is the QBs you were playing. Besides the divisional QBs, the Broncos have to face the likes of Dak Prescott, Tyrod Taylor, Eli Manning, Carson Wentz, Tom Brady, Andy Dalton, Ryan Tannehill,  Kirk Cousins, and Andrew Luck. That isn't really murderer's row if you ask me.

2017 NFL Draft Rankings Cheat Sheet-Defense

Here is the defensive cheat sheet for the prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft....

DE:
1) Myles Garrett-Texas A&M (3-4 OLB)
2) Taco Charlton-Michigan (3-4 OLB)
3) Derek Barnett-Tennessee (3-4 OLB)
4) Solomon Thomas-Stanford (3-4 OLB)
5) Charles Harris-Missouri (3-4 OLB)
6) Dawuane Smoot-Illinois (3-4 OLB)
7) Chris Wormley-Michigan
8) Takkarist McKinley-UCLA (3-4 OLB)
9) Demarcus Walker-Florida State (3-4 OLB)
10) Tim Williams-Alabama (3-4 OLB)

DT/NT:
1) Jonathan Allen-Alabama
2) Caleb Brantley-Florida
3) Malik McDowell-Michigan State
4) Montravius Adams-Auburn\
5) Jaleel Johnson-Iowa
6) Jarron Jones-Notre Dame
7) Charles Walker-Oklahoma
8) Carlos Watkins-Clemson
9) Davon Godchaux-LSU
10) Vincent Taylor-Oklahoma State

OLB:
1) T.J. Watt-Wisconsin
2) Jarrad Davis-Florida
3) Hassan Reddick-Temple
4) Ryan Anderson-Alabama
5) Jordan Willis-Kansas State
6) Alex Anzalone-Florida
7) Duke Riley-LSU
8) Anthony Walker-Northwestern
9) Steven Taylor-Houston
10) Richie Brown-Mississippi State

ILB:
1) Reuben Foster-Alabama
2) Zach Cunningham-Vanderbilt
3) Raekwon McMillian-Ohio State
4) Kendell Beckwith-LSU
5) Elijah Lee-Kansas State
6) Ben Boulware-Clemson
7) Ben Gedeon-Michigan
8) Riley Bullough-Michigan State

CB:
1) Marshon Lattimore-Ohio State
2) Marlon Humphrey-Alabama
3) Gareon Conley-Ohio State
4) Adoree Jackson-USC
5) Kevin King-Washington
6) Tre'Davious White-LSU
7) Jalen Tabor-Florida
8) Quincy Wilson-Florida
9) Fabian Moreau-UCLA
10) Ahkello Witherspoon-Colorado
11) Cordrea Tankersley-Clemson
12) Sidney Jones-Washington
13) Jourdan Lewis-Michigan
14) Desmond King-Iowa
15) Howard Wilson-Houston
16) Cameron Sutton-Tennessee
17) Brendan Langley-Lamar
18) Rasul Douglas-West Virginia
19) Shaquil Griffin-Central Florida
20) Dwayne Thomas-LSU

S:
1) Malik Hooker-Ohio State
2) Jamal Adams-LSU
3) Jabrill Peppers- Michigan
4) Obi Melifonwu-UCONN
5) Marcus Williams-Utah
6) Justin Evans-Texas A&M
7) Marcus Maye-Florida
8) Budda Baker-Washington
9) Josh Jones-NC State
10) Montae Nicholson-Michigan State

NFL Draft Positional Rankings Cheat Sheet-Offense

As the NFL Draft rapidly approaches, this would be a good time to get familiar with some of the names of the players that could eventually become Broncos. Also, it is a good way to see the rankings of the players, so as the draft unfolds, it can provide an understanding of where some of these players were ranked as they names are being called over the course of the three-day event. Here is the annual cheat sheet of prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft. Let's start with the offensive side of the ball.....

QB:
1) Mitchell Trubisky-North Carolina
2) Deshaun Watson-Clemson
3) Deshone Kizer-Notre Dame
4) Pat Mahomes- Texas Tech
5) Davis Webb- Cal
6) Nate Peterman-Pitt
7) Brad Kaaya-Miami
8) Josh Dobbs-Tennessee

RB:
1) Leonard Fournette-LSU
2) Christian McCaffrey-Stanford
3) Dalvin Cook-Florida St
4) Alvin Kamara-Tennessee
5) D'Onta Foreman-Texas
6) Joe Mixon-Oklahoma
7) Marlon Mack-South Florida
8) Kareem Hunt-Toledo
9) Jeremy McNichols-Boise State
10) Brian Hill-Wyoming
11) Wayne Gallman-Clemson
12) Samaje Perine-Oklahoma
13) Jamaal Williams-BYU
14) De'Veon Smith-Michigan
15) Corey Clement-Wisconsin

WR:
1) Mike Williams-Clemson
2) John Ross-Washington
3) Corey Davis-Western Michigan
4) Curtis Samuel-Ohio State
5) Juju Smith-Schuster-USC
6) Zay Jones- East Carolina
7) ArDarius Stewart- Alabama
8) Malachi Dupre-LSU
9) Chris Godwin-Penn State
10) Shelton Gibson-West Virginia
11) Chad Hansen-Cal
12) Noah Brown-Ohio State
13) Josh Reynolds- Texas A&M
14) Dede Westbrook-Oklahoma
15) Damore'ea Stringefellow-Ole Miss
16) Cooper Kupp-Eastern Washington
17) Isaiah Ford-Virginia Tech
18) Travin Dural-LSU
19) Carlos Henderson-Louisiana Tech
20) K.D. Cannon-Baylor

TE:
1) O.J. Howard-Alabama
2) David Njoku-Miami
3) Evan Engram-Ole Miss
4) Gerald Everett-South Alabama
5) Adam Shaheen-Ashland
6) Jake Butt-Michigan
7) Jordan Leggett-Clemson
8) Bucky Hodges-Virginia Tech
9) Jonnu Smith-Florida International
10) Michael Roberts-Toledo

FB:
1) Freddie Stevenson-Florida State
2) Sam Rogers- Virginia Tech
3) Prescott Line-Michigan State
4) Dimitri Flowers-Oklahoma
5) Nate Iese-UCLA

OT:
1) Cam Robinson-Alabama
2) Ryan Ramcyzk-Wisconsin
3) Garett Boles-Utah
4) Dion Dawkins-Temple
5) Antonio Garcia-Troy
6) Taylor Moton-Western Michigan
7) Julie'n Davenport-Bucknell
8) David Sharpe-Florida
9) Roderick Johnson-Florida State
10) Chad Wheeler-USC

OG:
1) Forrest Lamp-Western Kentucky
2) Dan Feeney-Indiana
3) Ethan Pocic-LSU
4) Jordan Morgan-Kutztown
5) Pat Elfein-Ohio State
6) Dorian Johnson-Pitt
7) Danny Isidora-Miami
8) Isaac Asiata-Utah
9) Kyle Kalis-Michigan
10) Jessamen Dunker-Tennessee State

C:
1) Jon Toth-Kentucky
2) Kyle Fuller-Baylor
3) Tyler Orlosky-West Virginia
4) Riley Sorenson-Washington State
5) Cameron Tom-Southern Miss

Broncos 2016 Mock Schedule

As I say every year, I am obsessed with the creation of the NFL schedule. It is my dream job, and as much as I would love create an entire mock schedule for the entire league, I just don't have the time to do it. Instead, I like to try and predict the Broncos upcoming schedule every year. It is virtually impossible to get every game right, but why not see if I can get a few games correct. Here is my take on what the Broncos 2016 schedule could possibly look like:

All times EST

Week 1: Sunday Sept 10th- Denver at Indianapolis  (1:00pm-CBS)

Week 2: Sunday Sept 17th- NY Jets at Denver (4:25 pm-CBS)

Week 3: Sunday Sept 24th- Denver at Buffalo (1:00pm-CBS)

Week 4: Sunday October 1st- LA Chargers at Denver (4:05pm-CBS)

Week 5: Sunday October 8th- Denver at Oakland (4:25pm-CBS)

Week 6: Sunday October 16th- New England at Denver (8:30pm-NBC)

Week 7: Sunday October 23rd- BYE WEEK

Week 8: Sunday October 30th-NY Giants at Denver (4:25pm-FOX)

Week 9: Monday November 6th- Denver at Washington (8:30pm-ESPN)

Week 10: Sunday November 12th-Dallas at Denver (4:25pm-FOX)

Week 11: Thursday November 16th- Oakland at Denver (8:25pm-NBC/NFL Net)

Week 12: Sunday November 26th- Denver at Kansas City (4:25pm-CBS)

Week 13: Sunday December 3rd- Denver at Miami (1:00pm-CBS)

Week 14: Sunday December 10th- Cincinnati at Denver (4:05pm-CBS)

Week 15: Sunday December 17th- Denver at Philadelphia (1:00pm-CBS)

Week 16-Sunday December 24th- Denver at LA Chargers  (4:05pm-CBS)

Week 17-Sunday December 31st- Kansas City at Denver (4:25pm-CBS)

Broncos Free Agency Roundup

With free agency all but died down, and the NFL Draft on the horizon, I figured it was a good time to put a little recap or roundup of the players Denver signed and lost in free agency so far. Plus, with the news of Tony Romo retiring and heading to CBS as the #1 game analyst (Thanks for everything Phil Simms), the Broncos can now focus on heading into OTAs and the summer with a battle at QB between Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch. Here is what has transpired so far in free agency for the Broncos.....

Additions:
1- Ron Leary (Offensive Guard formerly of Dallas)
2-Menelik Watson (Offensive Tackle formerly of Oakland)
3-Domata Peko-(Nose Tackle formerly of Cincy)
4-Zach Kerr (Defensive Tackle formerly of Indy)
5-Kasim Edebali (Outside LB formerly of New Orleans)

Departures:
1-Russell Okung (Offensive Tackle signed with LA Chargers)
2-Sylvester Williams (Nose Tackle signed with Tennessee)
3-Kayvon Webster (Cornerback signed with LA Rams)
4-Dekoda Watson (OLB signed with San Francisco)

Retired:
1-DeMarcus Ware