Broncos want another RB regardless of Knowshon Moreno’s condition - Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Bobby Heidrich: Q: I think a quiet player so far in the headlines has been Knowshon Moreno. Are (the Broncos) going to continue with him or draft a running back? A: Bobby, part of that is by design given that Moreno did make one set of headlines this offseason the team wasn’t all that thrilled about.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Tight ends could be a hot commodity in the upcoming NFL draft - Trying to find the “next” anything can be both a risky business as well as a maddening one.  But with the constant ebb and flow between offenses and defenses in the NFL, tight end has become the battleground position. So much so that the Broncos spent a significant portion of their non-Peyton Manning budget in free agency on the position, signing Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Brown’s Speed Sets Him Apart - North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown’s college career was defined by his speed.  As a true freshman, he made an immediate impact on special teams, and chipped in as a reserve linebacker on defense.  As a sophomore, that speed was more quantifiable — he set the school record in the indoor 60-meter dash with a time of 6.72 as a member of the UNC track team.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

A Physical Mindset - Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram formed one of the most feared running back tandems in college football for two seasons, and the Alabama Crimson Tide took home the 2010 BCS National Championship.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Broncos Draft History: Running Backs - As we wrap up our week’s preview of the running backs available in the 2012 NFL Draft, let’s take a look back at who the Broncos have drafted at those positions.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

The rebirth of John Elway – It was midday on the Saturday of the NFL combine in February. The cavernous media room was bustling with activity when a trendy, middle-aged man walked briskly through. Wearing designer jeans, a leather jacket and looking like he just walked out of a Beverly Hills hair salon, John Elway smiled winningly, shaking hands and offering quick quips as he breezed through. In the often stodgy world of the NFL, Elway was working the combine his own way. NFL front-office leaders are usually not the leather-jacket-and-$100-dollar-haircut types. Neither are they Super Bowl winning, Hall of Fame quarterbacks.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

Nick Fairley a good fit in Denver? – In our AFC West chat earlier Thursday, I was flooded with questions about the possibility of Denver pursuing Detroit defensive tackle Nick Fairley in a trade.  I can see why the question was asked.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

Denver Broncos: Free Agent Tackles Are Still Available - The Denver Broncos are sorely needing in the defensive tackle department.  After a season where the interior run defense was poor even with the impressive play of linebacker Joe Mays and defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley against opposing runners, Denver needs to address the position if the defense is to improve heading into the 2012 NFL season.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos: How the New-Look Broncos Can Tear Through the AFC Next Season - After the Denver Broncos signed free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning and traded away fellow signal-caller Tim Tebow to the New York Jets, the Broncos displayed their win-now attitude in the most dramatic fashion.  It’s Super Bowl or bust for the Broncos, who are considered a top three team in the AFC. Denver is in position to take the NFL by storm, but they have to get there through three significant steps. But hey, it’s possible.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

How free agency affected Super Bowl odds - It’s hard to forget the public’s reaction to the Philadelphia Eagles’ free agent spending spree last summer.  Sitting on the board at 12/1 in July, the Eagles quickly became a Vegas favorite to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy after shelling out big-time bucks to acquire cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive end Jason Babin and a host of other high-profile athletes. But as is often the case in the NFL, spending money off the field doesn’t always translate to success on it.  Read more from National Football Post >>>>

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

Think back eight months ago to the 2011 NFL Draft…

Now this part is uncomfortable, but imagine if the Broncos had not drafted Von Miller.

In the days leading up to the draft, Denver’s front office referred to the No. 2 overall pick as a decision the team “can’t miss” on.  The front office was right.  The pick: spot on.   John Fox later said Miller was the team’s top-ranked defensive prospect, but drafting is a tricky business.  For all the highly ranked prospects who turn into NFL greats there are probably just as many (if not more) great looking college players who do their part to keep the average for NFL careers at less than 4 years.  Sure, you have to have a bit of luck in each draft for who knows when a knee will go unexpectedly, or which players are a year away from hitting their strides.   Somehow through all the big name choices, it appears the Denver front office nailed it with Miller in a decision that didn’t look so easy eight months ago.

The Broncos got it right with Von Miller. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Let’s not forget how the Denver draft discussion evolved in 2011.  Remember when the 2010 campaign ended? Remember the name on everyone’s lips?  Da’Quan Bowers.  His stock plummeted amid reports of a slow-healing knee.  Drafted 51st overall, Bowers has started three games for Tampa Bay and has 1.5 sacks to his name.  A great end of season run for Auburn’s Nick Fairley made him a hot draft commodity.  Less hot is the single sack and zero starts he’s had in Detroit, having missed substantial time due to injury.

Once the novelty of Bowers and Fairley started to wane in March, some new names came into play.  Pundits looked deeper into the ACC at North Carolina DE Richard Quinn.  In 12 games with the St. Louis Rams this season Quinn has posted 5 sacks and 16 tackles.  Not bad, but not “forces us to change our blocking scheme” good.  Same goes for Marcell Dareus, who many Broncos fans were pining for even as the draft began.  Dareus is proving to be worth the hype – 35 combined tackles and 4.5 sacks from the interior of the defensive line.

Moving away from the front seven, there was also a hard to resist gleam in the form of LSU’s Patrick Peterson.  As a rookie with the Cardinals, Peterson started off very quietly this season.  Then he took off.  Two interceptions, one sack, 57 tackles, and probably most notably…4 punts returned for touchdowns.  Not bad at all, but…

Then there’s Von Miller.  Described in college game tape as playing on a different level than everyone else at Texas A&M, Miller has effectively come into the NFL and, well, looks like he’s playing on a different level than everyone else: 12 games, 62 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.  The only defensive rookie that comes close to that production is Aldon Smith, who is right now being used in a situational capacity in San Francisco.

All eyes have been on Miller since training camp. (personal photo)

With each snap, Miller makes his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and through 14 games, it’s really a two-player race with Smith.  Personal preferences aside, Miller is unquestionably the more important player as his contributions must come on every down.  When Miller was unavailable, the Denver defense surrendered more than 30 points to a Minnesota Vikings offense missing Adrian Peterson and starting a somewhat pedestrian rookie quarterback.

At this pace, Miller’s impact on the NFL appears to be very much in tune with his idol, the late Derrick Thomas.  Just like that #58, Miller will likely be a menace to opposing offenses for seasons to come.

A lot of things, many impossible to explain, are going right for the Denver Broncos these days.  However one of the biggest factors in Denver’s defensive success this season is the fact that when it came down to crunch time in the NFL draft, and the Broncos front office couldn’t afford any mistakes, the front office team played it perfectly.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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Multiple reports suggest U.S. District Court Judge Susan Nelson could rule as early as today on an injunction request by the NFL’s players.  That hearing was April 6 in a Minneapolis courtroom, and Judge Nelson said then a ruling would take a few weeks.

It seems this is the week.  As for any specifics, it’s all conjecture, but expect a ruling before the start of Thursday’s NFL Draft.

If Judge Nelson sides with the players, the league-imposed lockout would be lifted.  It’s always possible – even likely – there will be an appeal by the losing side.  Even if the players win this round and the lockout is lifted, that doesn’t necessarily include free agency.  It all depends on the details of Judge Nelson’s ruling, whenever that happens, but here is Peter King’s take:

I think the biggest question about Judge Susan Nelson issuing an injunction this week — which I presume she will do — to kayo the owners’ lockout of the players is whether she’ll order the league year to start immediately. Will she open the doors and start the league year and order free agency to begin? Or will she issue a stay and say the league can’t begin until the appeals court issues a ruling in the case? Obviously, if free agency begins and teams don’t know if there’s going to be a salary cap this year, there won’t be the willy-nilly spending of some other free-agency periods. And the union could load up with charges of collusion if very good players aren’t pursued in the free market. In short, it could exacerbate the situation, not help get closer to a settlement.

Mediation between the league and players is on hold until May 16.

NFL Invites Players to Draft

Remember when there was talk of a prospect boycott at the NFL Draft?  NFLPA’s George Atallah quickly diffused the controversy last month when he sent a series of tweets disputing the word ‘boycott’ was ever used.

If anything, the 2011 NFL Draft is the “anti-boycott.”

A record 25 prospects will attend Radio City Music Hall later this week, including Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and the presumed frontrunners for Denver’s No. 2 pick (Marcell Dareus, Nick Fairley, Von Miller, and Patrick Peterson). Miller’s inclusion is a bit surprising, since he is the lone prospect listed on the antitrust suit against the NFL.  Talk about irony.  Can you imagine the hat, jersey, and handshake exchange with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell when Miller steps onto the podium?

Awkward.

We won’t have to imagine.  We’ll see it on Thursday.

Melissa with Barry Sanders Memorial Blog has the full list, along with more on some other draft week activities planned.

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One week to go before the start of the 2011 NFL Draft, and still plenty of time to question and debate what Denver will do with its second overall pick.

Offense (NO!) or defense?

Draft or trade?

I’ve asked DHF readers to for their input on what Denver will (or should) do.  In today’s Denver Draft Dish – a video feature of all things – more on your selection and my favorite two prospects:

If you haven’t shared your thoughts with me yet, do so on DHF’s Facebook page or DHF on Twitter before April 28.

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Eight days to go before the start of the 2011 NFL Draft, and we’re no more certain which player Denver will take.

Then again, did anyone expect that revelation during today’s pre-NFL Draft press conference with Brian Xanders and John Elway?  It would have been nice, but so is that bag of cash I keep hoping to find one morning at my front door.

Not going to happen.

Nonetheless, we did get some additional insight into the wheels in motion at Dove Valley.  With the lockout now in its 40th day and free agency stymied, the usual pre-draft preparation ritual has taken a different direction.  As Xanders simply stated, “We’re in uncharted waters with the CBA.”

How true.

The Broncos are relying on next week’s draft to fill specific positional voids, then wait for free agency – as we all do.  Perhaps out of necessity, the Broncos front office is viewing this unorthodox offseason positively.  Elway said:

“It helps us with the draft because now we can find the best players then fill in with free agency.”

Xanders said the Broncos draft board now has about 190 players, nearly double years past.  Players are currently ranked by position, but next week, those rankings will be compiled into a master list.  Denver has seven draft picks, with the goal of selecting multiple starters in 2011.  Elway said:

“I would like to get four really, really, really good players. We all would like to do that.  It’s important for us that we be very precise and really hit on those guys with the picks that we have.  We need impact guys.

“We realize that draft picks when they come here aren’t finished products. It’s how we handle draft picks when they get here.”

Elway added Denver is considering as many as 10 players for the second overall pick, with a handful of frontrunners.  As for trading that pick, Elway admits it’s an option:

“We’re always going to listen [to trade offers], but we feel there are four or five top guys there that we’d be happy with.”

Breaking down the prospects

Xanders and Elway didn’t tip their hand, but did praise several of the top prospects.  Xanders described Alabama’s Marcell Dareus as “a massive DT that’s versatile across the line of scrimmage.  He’s a disruptive player. He’s hard to block.”

Xanders had a similar description of Auburn DT Nick Fairley:

“He’s a disruptive, productive, competitive player.  He has very good athleticism on the move.”

Xanders applauded Clemson’s defensive end Da’Quan Bowers’ ability to make plays in the backfield, while Elway called Auburn quarterback Cam Newton “incredibly talented.”

Elway also spoke highly of Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller:

“When you turn on the film, you don’t even have to know what number he is, that’s how dynamic he is.”

Watch the entire press conference on the team’s official website.

Conference call

Immediately following today’s press conference, Xanders and Elway held a conference call with more than 7,000 Broncos season-ticket holders.  Two additional conference calls, involving head coach John Fox and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, are planned in the near future.

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The NFL prospect carousel spins on at Dove Valley, and this week’s lineup includes two frontrunners for the second overall draft pick.

As posted by John Elway on Twitter, Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson are among 13 players visiting the Broncos over a 10-day span.  Dareus and Peterson are reportedly even visiting Dove Valley the very same day – Wednesday – according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post.

How intriguing?

I'd imagine Dareus' teammates didn't enjoy lining up across from him at the 2010 Crimson Tide spring game. Dareus is wearing #57.

If recent mock drafts are any gauge, Dareus will likely become the next Denver Bronco, a decision I fully support.

Today.

Beyond that is anyone’s guess.

That puts the official tally of players I’ve championed at four, a painfully obvious indicator I’ve adopted the “flavor of the month” philosophy for my dream draft scenario.

Regular Denver Horse Force readers may fondly recall oh-so-long ago when I declared Patrick Peterson the “it” player for Denver.

Ah yes, early March.  I was all about Peterson.

Then.

That’s cooled off, but he remains a viable option.  John Elway believes Peterson is perhaps the best athlete in the draft.  His knock?  It’s not that dismal Wonderlic score; it’s where Peterson plays on the field.  Denver has far greater defensive needs closer to the line of scrimmage, which makes someone like Dareus, Auburn’s Nick Fairley, or even Texas A&M’s Von Miller, a better fit.

Take a look at Dareus’ numbers last season at Alabama, and keep in mind he was suspended two games:

• Tackles: 34
• Tackles for loss: 11
• Sacks: 4.5
• Pass breakups: 4

The Quarterback Question

It’s another hot draft day debate in Denver:  Should the Broncos invest an early round draft pick on a quarterback?

America, it’s your chance to decide…just know that your ESPN vote means absolutely zilch to the Broncos’ decision making powers that be.

At last check, some 2,400 people had voted, and the results were overwhelmingly against Denver drafting a quarterback.  It seems John Clayton’s “yes” argument isn’t compelling enough.

Event of the Year

Don’t worry.  This is NOT a Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding update, because, and I cannot be more frank about this, I don’t care.  I do care about Shannon Sharpe, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.  Invitations have been mailed out for his induction ceremony.  Former Broncos tight end Byron Chamberlain showed off his invitation on Twitter this afternoon:

Love the Bart Scott reference, by the way.  As for that invitation, here is it, courtesy Chamberlain:

The HOF induction invitation, as posted on Twitter by Byron Chamberlain (@bc_chamberlain)

Three days after his so-so pro day in South Carolina, Da’Quan Bowers met today with Broncos’ personnel and physicians in hopes of erasing worries about his knee.

When Bowers is selected depends on his recovery from a meniscus injury.

Bowers was a top-five draft lock after leading the nation with 15.5 sacks last season, but his stock has fallen in recent weeks amid nagging reports his recovery from January’s arthroscopic knee surgery is behind schedule.

Bum knees – or even rumors about bum knees – are red flags for NFL teams.

The Broncos will certainly rely on their medical evaluation of Bowers to decide if he’s still worthy of the second overall pick.  If Bowers is healthy and can replicate his college success, it’s a no-brainer he should be considered.  If not, then Denver should opt for another defensive standout.

Jaiquawn Jarrett visits Dove Valley

Da’Quan Bowers wasn’t the only draft prospect in town today.  National Football Post reports Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett also met with Broncos officials.  A three-year starter, Jarrett is known for his aggressive style of play and tackling ability.

But wait – there’s more!

While professional football players are nowhere to be found, Dove Valley is a hot spot this week for the pros-in-waiting.

According to John Elway, the Broncos are hosting more than a dozen players this week:

Among the notables, Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, and according to Fox31′s Josina Anderson, Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick.  I’ll have more on Colin tomorrow.

The 2011 NFL Draft countdown now sits at T-minus one month, and we’re no closer to knowing which player the Broncos may take with the second overall pick.

In fact, it’s entirely possible we’re further away from knowing.

Here’s a condensed timeline:

Two months ago: It was all but academic the Broncos would draft whichever defensive standout Carolina didn’t – DE Da’Quan Bowers or DT Nick Fairley.

One month ago: Thanks to strong performances at the NFL Scouting Combine, DL Marcell Dareus, LB Von Miller, and CB Patrick Peterson join the mix.

Three weeks ago: There’s growing indication Carolina may draft a quarterback with the No. 1 pick, meaning Denver would have its top choice in the defensive star sweepstakes.

Two weeks ago through today: The Broncos have curiously scheduled private workouts and additional face-to-face meetings with multiple quarterbacks, including Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, and Jake Locker – all first-round projected draft picks.  This inexplicable turn of events has left Broncos fans scrambling for some semblance of reason.  Is this quarterback courtship a ruse?  What if it’s not?

For some clarity – if you can call it that – GM Brian Xanders spoke today with Lee Rasizer of CBS Sports to walk us through the process.   Xanders said the Broncos are “open to anything” with the second overall pick, including a possible trade.  Regardless of which player Denver takes, Xanders say the first round player is expected to be a “10-year starter or longer.”

Xanders said the Broncos’ draft board included 250 players as of February.  That list has been whittled down to an unspecified number though combine performances, scouting reviews, interviews, medical records, etc.  Denver is now relying on additional observation and research – including private workouts – to further shorten the list and rearrange player placement.

Broncos GM Brian Xanders says to not read too much into player workouts, such as Jake Locker's.

As for those prospects headed to Dove Valley for workouts and meetings, Xanders adds that’s merely part of the draft process, and fans shouldn’t jump to conclusions.  Some of the interviews involve players who skipped the combine.  Others are progress reports on player recovery.

“I wouldn’t read too much into who’s coming in, where and what time. It’s trying to close some of the gaps and some of the medical research that’s needed.”

The Broncos want to focus their drafting efforts on players who fill specific roster holes.  We know the Broncos well-documented needs on defense – mainly defensive tackle, linebacker, and safety, but Xanders points out Denver is looking at add depth at tight end (especially following Daniel Graham’s release) and offensive tackle.

Miami defensive lineman Allen Bailey will reportedly meet with the Denver Broncos.  National Football Post reports Bailey will also visit New England, San Diego, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta.

Bailey’s seven sacks led the Hurricanes last season.  A second-team ACC player, Bailey also had 45 tackles.  He’s a former linebacker who also has experience playing defensive end and tackle.  As for which position he’ll play in the NFL, that’s up for debate.  It really depends on the team that drafts him, though Bailey believes his strength is DE in a 4-3 scheme.

Analysts project Bailey going as early as the late first round.  How’s this for honesty?  Bailey admits he needs to improve some parts of his game, notably getting off blocks.

Wherever he ends up, here’s hoping Bailey’s awesome nickname of “Billy Bicep” follows him into the league.

Another Look at Fairley

The Broncos will have another opportunity to see Auburn’s defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

The Houston Chronicle reports Fairley will visit with eight of the teams drafting in the top ten in April’s draft – including Denver.

The two top-ten teams not hosting Fairley are Dallas and Arizona.

Fairley’s college teammate, quarterback Cam Newton, will meet with Broncos officials in mid-April.

Another look at Von Miller?

The Denver Broncos apparently like what they see in Von Miller.

National Football Post reports officials with the Broncos (presumably John Elway, John Fox, and Brian Xanders) worked out with Butkus Award winner today.

At yesterday’s Texas A&M pro day, Miller ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, a blazing time for a pass-rushing specialist.  The linebacker’s stellar offseason – which started at the Senior Bowl – has propelled him to a possible top-five NFL Draft prospect.

The Broncos hold the second overall pick in April’s draft, and given the defensive talent available, not to mention the Broncos’ pressing need to upgrade, it’s all but a formality Denver will draft defense.

So far this week, the Broncos contingent has visited Auburn, Texas A&M, and Alabama’s pro days (I believe in that order, though I’ve seen reports to the contrary).

The argument can be made the Broncos need a defensive lineman more than a linebacker, and if that’s true, Denver will consider Alabama’s Marcell Dareus or Auburn’s Nick Fairley.  If you’re from the “best player available” camp, then perhaps Miller falls under that category.  NFL Network’s Mike Mayock offered this praise of Miller to National Football Post:

“I love watching the kid on tape.  I can’t tell you how many times I wrote down, ‘Wow.’ He might have the quickest get-off explosion in the draft. He almost defies gravity. He’s a phenomenal pass rusher.  He’s a little bit undersized. You’ve got to figure out how you’re going to play him, but when you’re looking for natural pass rush ability, and that’s what the league is about right now, he’s at the top of your list.”

Mr. Mystery update of sorts

Mr. Mystery, will you please reveal your identity?

CBSSports.com’s RapidReports claims the Broncos met with LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson in Boca Raton, Florida.  Earlier this week, the Denver Broncos announced Elway, Fox, and Xanders would meet with an unnamed player in Boca Raton.  I wrote yesterday I suspected that player was Peterson.  No other outlet is reporting this meeting, and RapidReports did not attribute the source of the information.  Their report states:

Mar. 10, 2011 2:43 p.m Denver’s three-man front-office contingent of executive VP John Elway, coach John Fox and GM Brian Xanders not only attended Pro Days at Auburn and Alabama over the last two days but snuck in a trip to Boca Raton, FL, for an in-person chat with top CB prospect Patrick Peterson. Peterson’s hometown is in nearby Pompano Beach, FL.

Mar. 10, 2011 2:45 p.m Denver’s in-person chat with LSU CB Patrick Peterson in Boca Raton, FL, went well and means the team this week will have spoken to arguably its four most legitimate targets for the No. 2 overall pick. The Broncos also met with Auburn DT Nick Fairley and Alabama DT Marcell Dareus on the trip. The team attended LB Von Miller’s pro day Wednesday at Texas A&M.

Peterson has said he will not participate in Monday’s LSU pro day, but will be there in support of his teammates.

Record Ratings

More than 6.6 million people watched the NFL Scouting Combine on the NFL Network.  That figure is not only a record but a 27% increase from last year’s viewership.  The record interest wasn’t limited to television; NFL.com saw a 50% jump in combine videos viewed on its website.