DENVER BRONCOS:Key Acquisitions: Nate Jones (CB), Jarvis Green (DE), Justin Bannan (DE), Jamal Williams (DT), Brady Quinn (QB)
Acquisition Analysis:
BRADY QUINN: Quinn's career should be rejuvenated in Denver under McDaniels because McDaniels and Charlie Weis, both products of the Bill Belichick system, have the same type of offensive plan.
JARVIS GREEN, JUSTIN BANNAN, JAMAL WILLIAMS: Right from the beginning of the free agency, Denver went out and bought a whole new D-Line. Green is the only dependable one on the D-Line to play consistently in multiple and consecutive downs. Justin Bannan is more of a rotational player. Jamal Williams is aging and injury prone but still has the will and power to reclaim being the best nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme.
NATE JONES: Jones is an underrated player. He did terrific as a nickelback in Miami. Jones still needs to work on his cover skills and awareness. Along with Alphonso Smith, if they would learn from Champ Bailey, these corners will be great in the future.
Key Departures: Brandon Marshall (WR), Tony Scheffler (TE), Peyton Hillis (FB), Andra Davis (ILB), Nick Greisen (LB), Casey Wiegmann (C)
Departure Analysis:
BRANDON MARSHALL: Marshall was a key component in Denver. He has shown that it doesn't matter who is the signal caller is, throw a catchable ball in his area and he'll snatch it out of the air. Replacing him will be a difficult task.
TONY SCHEFFLER: Scheffler went out of Denver as an underachiever. With great potential, Scheffler will have a fresh start in Detroit.
PEYTON HILLIS: Hillis' presence will definitely be felt. He had the blocking ability to be a FB, and he had the nose to get more yardage via hand-off or a caught pass as a RB.
ANDRA DAVIS AND NICK GREISEN: Davis' releasing was somewhat of a surprise because even though his expected productivity wasn't up to par, I didn't expect The Broncos to cut him. Greisen seemingly just couldn't cut it on McDaniels team.
CASEY WEIGMANN: The most surprising player to get cut. Understanding that McDaniels wants to abandon Denver's zone-block scheme and approaching the traditional blocking scheme. With that being said, Weigmann's size did not fit in this new O-Line.
Draft Needs: WR, LB, OL, DL, TE, DB, RB.
Draft Picks: 11th, 43rd, 45th, 80th, 114th, 137th, 183rd.
Draft Needs Analysis:
Wide Receiver: When the Marhsall trade was finalized, this clarified what McDaniels is going to do with the 11th overall pick. Let's drop all speculation about drafting Rolando McClain, a center, or a NT; Dez Bryant should be the choice. Not because he'd be the best available at the 11th spot, but McDaniels experienced first hand the impact of a big time playmaker receiver; and I'm not only talking about Brandon Marshall, but Randy Moss in New England. Even if most predictions would only have 2-3 WRs being drafted in the first round, The Broncos cannot take a chance on a potential #1 WR. Dez Bryant is the Brandon Marshall type of player with more speed.
PREDICTION: Denver uses their 1st round pick and a later pick on a WR.
LineBacker: This is a crucial key in the 3-4 defense. Davis was cut, so look for The Broncos to draft an ILB early. They have enough depth at the OLB position to hold off in the later rounds.
PREDICTION: Denver uses either second round pick on an ILB, using the middle to later round picks for an OLB.
Offensive Line: Although it is tempting to take Maurkice Pouncey in the first, I don't think Denver will add to the O-Line early. If anything, they'll probably take one from the free agent pool or via trade during the draft. There are only a few centers and guards with great value to be drafted between the 1st and 4th rounds, and most will be taken by the time The Broncos have answered their defensive needs.
PREDICTION: Denver will use their middle to late round picks on any players to add youth and depth to the O-Line.
Defensive Line: Even though a whole new face for the D-Line was brought, or bought, in, it still isn't enough. The Broncos will try to use one of their second round picks to draft a big NT like a Terrence Cody. As far as a DE, it would be smart to take a hybrid player.
PREDICTION: A NT should be taken early, second or third round. A DE should be taken in the middle rounds, or a hybrid player can be taken early also.
Tight End: With Tony Scheffler gone, he does leave an empty presence on the line and deep downfield. Anthony McCoy in the 3rd round would be a smart choice. If they can't get to him, they'll have to hold off until the middle to later rounds.
PREDICTION: As stated, I'd love to see McCoy taken in the 3rd.
Defensive Back: There is youth in the secondary, but the key players are aging. Nate Jones was brought in, but his skills limit him only as a nickel. Champ is almost passing his peak. Brian Dawkins can still have at least 2 more productive years in him. McDaniels moved up to draft Alphonso Smith, and yet, we've yet to see what Denver saw. Darcel McBath is getting to where he's supposed to be, except he suffered a season ending injury. The concern won't be immediate but drafting a back in the later rounds should suffice for the time being.
PREDICTION: 5th or 6th round choices should be used on a DB.
Running Back: Adding another back to the rotation would be a nice addition. Seemingly, Moreno and Buckhalter can't pace themselves throughout the season and has the tendency to burn out towards the end of the season. Moreno will learn to be a bit more cautious, Buckhalter is getting old and the hits are taking a toll on his body, and the re-signing of J.J. Arrington isn't enough.
PREDICITON: McDaniels might be crazy enough to repeat his actions from last year's draft and take a RB like Jonathan Dwyer or Jahvid Best in the second round.
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