Denver Broncos 2009 Draft Update: Taylor Mays Officially Out of the Question

My projections for the Denver Broncos' 2009 draft class took a major hit when safety Taylor Mays officially announced today that he was returning to USC for his senior season.  I applaud him for his choice to return to college and graduate, and wish him and his team the best for 2009.

But who do the Broncos look to in the first round now?  There are some that think Denver could use an inside linebacker.  While I agree, I don't believe that player will come from the 2009 draft class.  That player is current MLB Spencer Larsen, who really showed promise as the "Mike" linebacker in his rookie season. 

With Josh McDaniels now hired as Denver Broncos head coach, and Mike Nolan hired as defensive coordinator, it appears as though the Broncos will make the switch to the 3-4 defense, although nothing is imminent yet. 

If that is the case, Denver will likely have to overhaul its defensive personnel, but they do have some key pieces for the process already.

As far as linebackers go, D.J. Williams, Spencer Larsen, Wesley Woodyard, and Jamie Winborn could be a very effective quartet in the 3-4, with Williams and Woodyard playing the two outside spots, and Larsen and Winborn manning the middle.

That, to me, is a very intriguing prospect.  Denver also has Jarvis Moss, who could be effective as a pass rusher in the 3-4 defense.  A switch like that could be just what he needs to spark his career.

But what would happen to Elvis Dumervil?  He is an undersized defensive end as it is and may not be comfortable in the 3-4 defense.  Denver will likely climb that mountain when it comes down to it.

Denver's most glaring weakness has been its biggest strength in recent years, and that is the secondary. 

Champ Bailey is getting older, and he missed eight games last season due to a groin injury.  Dre' Bly is not the player he once was, and Denver's safeties are their worst position on the entire team.

Mays seemed like the perfect fit, but now us Denver fans will have to find an alternative cure for the defensive woes. 

If the Broncos make the switch to the 3-4, it would be very smart to take strong looks at Boston College DT B.J. Raji, Alabama NT Terrence Cody, and Ohio State defensive back Malcolm Jenkins.

Since Josh McDaniels is formerly of the New England Patriots, it wouldn't be surprising if he could lure NT Vince Wilfork out of New England as a free agent to play for the Broncos. 

B.J. Raji is a massive defensive tackle prospect out of BC who could be very effective as a defensive end in the 3-4 defense.  He reminds me a lot of Haloti Ngata from Baltimore, and Denver needs that type of impact from their big man on defense. 

Here's the most likely scenario to me.

Unless Denver can somehow manage to obtain USC MLB Rey Maualuga at pick number 12, I think Denver is a good candidate to trade down in the first round. 

By trading down to, say, the 18th or 19th pick, Denver could acquire two to three extra picks and still get their guy in the first round.  It's highly likely that both Raji and Cody will be there around the 18th pick, and the Broncos need the extra picks to fill holes on their defense. 

With Mays out of the question, Denver could look to free agency for a good starting safety.  Jermaine Phillips (TB), O.J. Atogwe (STL), Sean Jones (CLE), Darren Sharper (MIN), Dawan Landry (BAL), Mike Brown (CHI), and Atari Bigby (GB) would all be great options for Denver. 

First Round Options

DT B.J. Raji, Boston College

DT Terrence Cody, Alabama

DB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

Trade Down

In the second round, I'm still going to have to go with Iowa RB Shonn Greene, pictured above.  Greene is, in my opinion, the toughest back in the entire draft, although many "experts" won't see it the same. 

Greene is my early favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year, no matter where he lands, and Denver would be wise to select him with their second round pick.  Remember what happened last time the Broncos picked up a running back in the second round, Denver fans?

Granted, Denver has many more needs on defense, but this is a very deep free agent class, and the Broncos could fill many needs that way, especially with the increased salary cap.

Shonn Greene won the Doak Walker award and helped the Iowa Hawkeyes finish the season ranked 20th in the nation after a 3-3 start.

Second Round options

RB Shonn Greene, Iowa

S William Moore, Missouri

CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt

CB Victor Harris, Virginia Tech

In the third round, look for the Broncos to pursue some more defensive help.  More specifically, help at the safety position.  I'm really high on Nic Harris out of Oklahoma.  Harris was an All-American this season, but because he is a S/OLB tweener, there is a good chance he could fall to the third round.  Denver would be very wise to select him. 

Third Round options

S Nic Harris, Oklahoma

S Louis Delmas, Western Michigan

DL Tim Jamison, Michigan

In round four, look for the Broncos to add some depth at wide receiver.  You may be saying to yourself, "Wide receiver?  Denver has Eddie Royal, Brandon Marshall, and Brandon Stokley.  What do they need a receiver for?!"

Let me fill you in on something: Brandon Stokley is pushing 33 years of age, and while I hope he plays for the Broncos for another two or three years, he won't be around forever.  Since Eddie Royal has emerged as a number two receiver and not a slot receiver as expected, Denver would be wise to look for a good slot receiver at this point in the draft.

I like Jarrett Dillard, a receiver prospect out of Rice University.  Dillard is 5'11", 185 pounds, and has quite an impressive résumé.  He finished his career at Rice with 292 receptions for 4,138 yards and 60 touchdowns.  He could be a perfect slot replacement for Brandon Stokley in the future.

Fourth Round options

WR Jarrett Dillard, Rice

WR Brandon Tate, North Carolina

DT Fili Moala, USC

In the fifth round, the Broncos have two selections, one that was acquired in exchange for Keary Colbert early last season. 

With their fifth round picks, I think Denver will look to some depth at cornerback and defensive end.

For a cornerback, I like Domonique Jackson out of Jackson State.  He is a big physical corner at 6'2", 190 pounds, and could draw some comparisons to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Arizona Cardinals.

At defensive end, I'm going to dip back into the Iowa pool.  Mitch King, the first team All-American defensive tackle for the Hawkeyes, is very effective in stopping the run and rushing the opposing quarterback.  The only knock on him is that he is undersized at 265 pounds, but he could be a great fit as a 3-4 defensive end.

Fifth Round options

CB Domonique Jackson, Jackson State

DT Mitch King, Iowa

CB Joe Burnett, Central Florida

DE Michael Bennett, Texas A&M

In the late rounds, the Denver Broncos have three picks: one in each the sixth and seventh rounds, and one conditional pick that depends on the status of Domonique Foxworth.

Look for the Broncos to take a developmental prospect at quarterback and add depth at linebacker and maybe another offensive skill position. 

Because this draft is so deep, Denver could have the luxury of taking the best player available at this point, which is usually the approach teams take.

Late Round options

QB David Johnson, Tulsa

DT Teryll Byrd, Cincinnati

WR Patrick Turner, USC

Possible Denver 2009 Draft Class

1. DT B.J. Raji, Boston College

2. RB Shonn Greene, Iowa

3. S Nic Harris, Oklahoma

4. WR Jarrett Dillard, Rice

5a. CB Domonique Jackson, Jackson State

5b. DE Mitch King, Iowa

6. QB David Johnson, Tulsa

7a. DT Terryll Byrd, Cincinnati

7b. MLB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina