2012 Denver Broncos Draft Selections

The 2012 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Denver Broncos walked away with seven players from this year's selection meeting. Twice the Broncos traded out of their slot in the first round, so on the first night of the draft, the Broncos didn't make a pick. The Broncos ended up with 2 second round picks, one third rounder, two fourth round picks, and one each in the fifth and sixth round. Therefore, they ended up with five picks in the first 108 selections. Here are the Broncos selections with my analysis after each one:

Round 2 Pick #36 overall: Derek Wolfe DT- Cincinnati
-I liked the pick of Wolfe, but there were guys like Jerel Worthy still left on the board. The Broncos said that he is a high motor guy, and he has versatility. The Broncos definitely needed to address the defensive line in this draft, and Wolfe can get to the quarterback from the inside. That is something the Broncos haven't had since Trevor Pryce. I hated that they traded out of the first round, but I do like this pick in the second round.

Round 2 Pick #57 overall: Brock Osweiler QB- Arizona State
-I didn't like this pick at all. It has nothing to do with Osweiler, but why take a QB so early when the plan is that Peyton Manning wants to play at least four or five years. I understand that Manning's health is a concern, but if the Broncos get their money's worth from Peyton, then Osweiler will never see the field as a Broncos starting QB. He is an interesting quarterback prospect, but the knock on him is that he is raw. I don't buy into the notion that he will sit and learn for a few years behind Manning, and then become the next great Broncos QB. Denver could have done more with this pick to help out Manning and their team in 2012.

Round 3 Pick #67 overall: Ronnie Hillman RB- San Diego State
-I like this pick because Hillman is a speedster, and after watching the Broncos get killed by Darren Sproles all those years, I have always craved for Denver to go after that speedy, explosive "scat back" that  can create havoc for a defense. It sounds like he will be able to come in right away and contribute to this offense this year.

Round 4 Pick #101 overall: Omar Bolden CB- Arizona State
-Bolden missed all of last year with an ACL injury, so that might be his biggest knock. You will always need cornerbacks in every draft, so I have no problem with the Broncos taking one in the 4th round. He will put pressure on guys like Syd'quan Thompson and Cassius Vaughn to make the roster. He should be able to at least contribute on special teams.

Round 4 Pick #108 overall: Philip Blake C- Baylor
-The Broncos needed to address their interior line late in the draft, so I agree with this pick. J.D. Walton is a serviceable center right now, but Blake might be able to push him. Plus, Blake can also play guard,so it will add depth and also push Zane Beadles.

Round 5 Pick #137 overall: Malik Jackson DE- Tennessee
-The one thing that stood out about Jackson was that he was recruited by USC, and then left the program and headed to Tennessee. You can't expect this guy to come in and get 10 sacks this year, but he might be able to help add some depth on the defensive line and find some time in certain situations. I don't have any problem with this pick.

Round 6 Pick #188 overall: Danny Trevathan LB- Kentucky
-When I was watching his highlight film on draft day, he looked like a safety. He is like a Wesley Woodyard clone. He will probably make the team and contribute as a special teams player. That is really all you could ask for in a sixth round pick.

Final Draft Thoughts..........
1) I thought Denver would get a defensive lineman and a running back in the first three rounds, and I was correct. Hopefully, Wolfe and Hillman can make some impact this year.

2) Why wouldn't the Broncos go after a guy like Kirk Cousins in the fourth round? That would have made more sense than picking Osweiler in the second round.

3) I wanted Denver to take Donta Hightower from Alabama in the first round. He was there at #25, but as soon as Denver traded back with New England at #31, you knew he wouldn't make it to the Broncos at that spot. Of course, the Pats took him at 25. I still don't understand why the last three regimes in Denver (Mike Shanahan, Josh McDaniels, and John Elway/John Fox) don't value the inside linebacker position. It just boggles my mind.

4) No help at wide receiver or safety in the first three rounds bothers me too. I'm sure the signings of Tight Ends Joel Dreesen and Jacob Tamme in free agency gave the Broncos some wiggle room at receiver. The Broncos main players at  safety are Mike Adams, Rahim Moore, and Quinton Carter. You're telling me that they couldn't have addressed that at some point in the draft?

5) After this draft there are a few things that are apparent: Rahim Moore better step up this year at safety and Nate Irving better step up this year at inside linebacker.