The Art of the Draft: Do Josh McDaniels and Brian Xanders Have What It Takes?

The Broncos are poised to add some valuable talent to their team in this years draft.  Denver owns five picks in first 84 draft selections in the 2009 NFL Draft, and six more picks on day two. But will the brain trust of McDaniels and Xanders be able to translate draft picks into difference makers?

Coach McDaniels comes to Denver from the New England Patriots, where GM Scott Pioli and Coach Brian Belichick have been dubbed wizards on draft day, with a history of solid picks both in early and in later rounds. 

Prime examples of this are, last year's first round pick Jerod Mayo, and the classic sixth round pick of Tom Brady in 2000. Over the years Pioli and Belichick turned a struggling franchise into a three time Super Bowl championship team.  

I wonder though, what role Coach McDaniels played in New England's draft process over the past few years?

As a position coach he would have had a narrow group he could focus on when evaluating talent, as a O-coordinator he would have had more on his plate and was probably in the room, but now he is a Head Coach, he is not just making recommendations he is part of the decision making process.  

GM Brian Xanders has worked in various areas for personnel evaluation throughout his career, but reportedly his skills are more in the area of the salary cap management and contract negotiations.  Xander too, is no longer just making recommendations.

The Broncos have had drafts both good and bad in years past. Busts as well as Pro-bowlers.  

2008 - Denver Broncos
Rd	Sel #	Player	Position	School
1	12	Ryan Clady	T	Boise State
2	42	Eddie Royal	WR	Virginia Tech
4	108	Kory Lichtensteiger	C	Bowling Green State
4	119	Jack Williams	CB	Kent State
5	139	Ryan Torain	RB	Arizona State
5	148	Carlton Powell	DT	Virginia Tech
6	183	Spencer Larsen	FB	Arizona
7	220	Josh Barrett	DB	Arizona State
7	227	Peyton Hillis	RB	Arkansas

2007 - Denver Broncos
Rd	Sel #	Player	Position	School
1	17	Jarvis Moss	DE	Florida
2	56	Tim Crowder	DE	Texas
3	70	Ryan Harris	OT	Notre Dame
4	121	Marcus Thomas	DT	Florida

2006 - Denver Broncos
Rd	Sel #	Player	Position	School
1	11	Jay Cutler	QB	Vanderbilt
2	61	Tony Scheffler	TE	Western Michigan
4	119	Brandon Marshall	WR	Central Florida
4	126	Elvis Dumervil	DE	Louisville
4	130	Domenik Hixon	WR	Akron
5	161	Chris Kuper	G	North Dakota
6	198	Greg Eslinger	C	Minnesota

Coming off a draft where the Broncos acquired an all-pro left tackle in Ryan Clady, a starting rookie wide receiver  in Eddie Royal, and a promising Fullback in Peyton Hillis, the pressure is on.

Since last year the Broncos have lost Head Coach Mike Shanahan, GM Jim Goodman, Assistant GM Jeff Goodman, Southeast region scout Tyler Goodman, and West region scout Bobby Beers. Folks who were responsible for the good and the bad in these drafts.

Without these experienced decision makers in the War room come draft time, especially the regional scouts, the rookie Head Coach McDaniels and rookie GM Xanders may already be at a disadvantage.

The Broncos have five picks in the first 84, and they need to make the team better with these five players. Denver cannot afford to get dud players, who are all potential and no production (Jarvis Moss thus far). We need guys who are going to fill holes and start now.  

I am not trying to be a nay-sayer, I don't believe the sky is falling, and I am willing to give our new Coach an GM the benefit of the doubt. 

But in my cautious optimism I wonder, with all the turnover and inexperience (especially given the recent events), if McDaniels and Xanders are ready for the task that lies ahead.  

What do you think?