OrangeandBlue: Denver Broncos Fan Blog

As expected there was little activity in early April, as the Broncos and most other teams were preparing for the draft. All that changed this weekend as the draft reshaped the roster for 2006.

• Early in the month, the Broncos re-signed LB Patrick Chukwurah.
• Good news came out of Dove Valley this month as we learned that Dwayne Carswell has begun the process of coming back from his serious injuries in a car accident last fall. We’re all rooting for you, House.
• The Broncos acquired WR Javon Walker for a 2nd round pick in a draft day trade with the Packers. Walker should easily start, and if the Broncos can lock him up long-term, he should replace Rod Smith in a year or two as the Broncos #1 WR. Until then, he’ll certainly start and be a big contributor in the Broncos offense.
• The Broncos made a huge trade to move up in the draft and pick up QB Jay Cutler with the 11th pick. Some considered Cutler to be the best QB available in the draft. He may be the big-time QB that the Broncos have been lacking since Elway. As well as Plummer played last year, he won’t be replaced this season, but you can bet he’ll be aware of Cutler’s presence on the bench if things don’t go well.
• The Broncos other picks included TE Tony Scheffler (W Michigan) in the 2nd round, WR Brandon Marshall (C Florida) - 4th round, DE Elvis Dumervil (Louisville) - 4th round, WR Domenik Hixon (Akron) - 4th round, G Chris Kuper (North Dakota) - 5th round, and C Greg Eslinger (Minnesota) - 6th round.

It won’t be popular with some, but I have high hopes that the Broncos will draft LenDale White this weekend. So many reasons why:

• Being on the West Coast, I got to see LenDale play a lot of games at SC. He’s a great back, and as we saw in the Rose Bowl, he comes to play in big games.
• I think his running style would be great in the Broncos system. He is strong between the tackles and has the patience to sit back a bit and wait for the holes to develop.
• I like Tatum Bell, and I’m excited to see Dayne get his chance. But in order for the Broncos offense to work at it’s best, especially in the big games, an elite back needs to be lining up behind plummer. As well as the Broncos can run the ball with just about anyone, there is still a difference between a good back and a great back. Terrell Davis had 100 yards in every playoff game he played not just because of the offensive schemes, but because he took those schemes to the next level. From what I’ve seen, LenDale White can be that kind of elite back that even the best teams will fear. We’ve seen how well Plummer can play when the game isn’t fully on his shoulders, so let’s get some broad shoulders to help carry it.
• I want to see a featured back again. The multi-headed running attack has worked out, but a featured back would be better. Let’s get a guy who can wear down a defense and drag them along behind him in the 4th quarter. Throw Tatum in there for a few carries just to really keep the D on their toes, but I want to see LenDale back there getting 25 carries a game.

I don’t really care how it happens. Some will say that the 15th pick would be too early to pick him. Maybe he is going to fall farther, but if he gains 1200-1500 yards and gains over 100 yards in playoff games, no one will care when he was picked. No one at the 15th pick is a sure thing, so it’s not a matter of trying to decide who to get based on every experts mock draft. Who can contribute to this team next year and for years to come. LenDale is as safe of a bet as anyone else as that spot.

LenDale grew up in Denver…let’s bring him home.

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Okay, with little time left until the draft, I thought it to be about time for me to post a mock draft.

1. Houston Texans: RB Reggie Bush USC     

I honestly don’t know why this is debated.  Kubiak wants to establish what he had in Denver, and that’s a solid running game.  Bush is the best back to come out in a long time.

2. New Orleans Saints: OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson  Virginia 

Drew Brees will take a big sigh of relief once this selection is made.

3. Tennessee Titans: QB Matt Leinhart  USC

I personally don’t think that Leinhart is better than the other two QB’s on the board, but don’t tell that to Norm Chow the offensive coordinator for the Titans whom coached Leinhart at USC.

4. New York Jets: DE Mario Williams NC State

Unbelievable athlete that will make New York fans forget about Abraham.  Another option here could be a quarterback. 

5. Green Bay Packers: OLB AJ Hawk Ohio State

Packers biggest need is at linebacker and AJ Hawk is as good as it gets coming out of college.

6. San Fransico 49ers: TE Vernon Davis   Maryland

Alex Smith needs some weapons, and VD is going to be one heck of a franchise TE that Smith will be able to rely on for some time.

7. Oakland Raiders: S  Michael Huff  Texas

I would hate for this to happen, but it makes since.  This defense compiled a pathetic total of 5 int. last season.  Huff will get that by himself in one season.

8. Buffalo Bills: OT Winston Justice USC

The Bills have spent time on their O-line this offseason and Winson Justice woul be an immediate improvement for them.

9. Detriot Lions: QB Vince Young  Texas

New coach that’s going to want a new QB to build his franchise around.  Young is the man.

10. Arizona Cardinals: QB Jay Cutler Vanderbilt 

McCown is gone and Warner is older and not that great.  Cutler would be the guy to come in and learn for a year or two and then take over this franchise.

11. St. Louis Rams: DT Haloti Ngata  Oregon

The Rams have been losing D-Lineman and Haloti is a gifted athelete who could come in as a starter and have an immediate impact

12. Cleveland Browns: DE Kamerion Wimbley Flordia State    

A mock draft isn’t what you think should happen, its what you think is going to happen.  The two players that the Brown were really high on were Ngata and Wimbley.  With the 3-4 thing goin on and Ngata gone, expect them to take Wimbley

13. Baltimore Ravens: DT Brodrick Bunkley Flordia State

A YOUNG defensive lineman that can make a difference is lacking.  Pick would make since here.

14. Philidelphia Eagles: WR Chad Jackson Flordia

Missing TO? Pickup another guy with a bad attitude

15. Denver Broncos: CB/S Jimmy Williams  V-Tech

I actually wasn’t planning to have this happen, it just did.  But this pick makes since.  John Lynch and Nick Ferguson aren’t getting any younger.  Williams is a ballhawk and has no problem getting in the box and sticking his head in there.

16. Miami Dolphins: OLB Chad Greenway Iowa

Great replacement for the departed Junior Seau

17. Minnesota Vikings: OLB Ernie Sims Flordia State

Mike Tomlin wants a Derrick Brook’s esk player for his new defense, and Ernie Sims is awesome.  Plays much bigger than his size and can either rush the QB or drop back in coverage.

18. Dallas Cowboys: OLB Manny Lawson NC State

A great fit for the outside of the edge on that 3-4 defense

19. San Diego Chargers: CB Tye Hill Clemson

After years and years of high drafts picks on CB’s, could this finally be the difference maker they are looking for?

20. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Santonio Holmes Ohio State

If Holmes falls this far, you can bet the Chiefs jump all over him.  They lack a true difference maker in the receiving corps (I’m not including tight ends in that statement).

21. New England Patriots: CB Antonio Cromartie Flordia State

Obviously biggest need for the Pats, and Cromartie is the Ty Law type athlete that could help that team finally feel okay about losing him.

22. San Fransico 49ers: RB DeAngelo Williams Memphis

Nolan fell in love with this guy at the Senior Bowl.  Who wouldn’t have?

23. Tampa Bay Bucs: CB Richard Marshall Fresno State

There is absolutly no depth behind Barber and Kelly.  Marshall would be a quality nickle and eventually a solid starter

24. Cincinnati Bengles: S Daniel Bullocks Nebraska

Ballhawk saftey with a good combo of size and speed.  Would bring good attitude and leadership to the Bengals secondary.

25. New York Giants: OLB DeMeco Ryans Alabama

The obvious choice for New York.  Everyone knows they are taking a backer here, and Ryans would fit right in.

26. Chicago Bears: WR Sinorice Moss  Miami

Wideout much like his older brother Santana that will help out this struggling Bears offense significantly.

27. Carolina Panthers: OLB Bobby Carpenter Ohio State

Bobby was overshadowed by AJ Hawk, but he is still a playmaker.  The Panthers need a playmaker in their LB corps.  Remember his name, he will make an impact in the NFL. 

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Marcedes Lewis  UCLA

Leftwich needs another weapon, and Lewis would be a nice fit in that Jacksonville offense.

29. New York Jets: S Donte Whitner Ohio State

Whitner can play anywhere in the secondary, and would be a great defensive playmaker for the Jets.

30. Indianapolis Colts: RB Laurance Marony  Minnesota

He’ll pick up right where Edge left off.

31. Seattle Seahawks: CB Kelly Jennings Miami

Aside from Trufant, the hawks have no one worth mentioning.  Jennings would change that.

32. Pittsburg Steelers: RB Lendale White  USC

Who would have thought 6 months ago that Lendale White would fall this far?  He’ll be just fine as a replacement for the big back bus Bettis.