Denver Broncos 2009 Draft Preview

Who will the Denver Broncos select in the 2009 NFL Draft?

In 2008, this team had one of the best overall drafts in recent memory. With the additions of Eddie Royal, Ryan Clady, Peyton Hillis, and others, the Broncos were able to use the NFL's version of EHarmony.com's matchmaking system effectively.

The 2008 draft class and the 2006 draft class (which included Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Tony Scheffler just to name a few) have been arguably the best the Broncos have seen since they changed logos in 1997. 

The NFL Draft means more to the franchise than any fan will ever understand. The Draft is the future of the team. Teams will forever be tagged with the stigma that they simply can't turn good college players into good pros if they select players that never pan out.

Just look at the Cleveland Browns. This can devastate the morale of a franchise, as well as keep them consistently sub-.500.

But enough talking. Let's get to the real issue at hand.

The 2009 draft class is deep, comparable to the 2008 draft. The first round is stacked with some solid players that are more than capable of making a splash in the 2009 season.

On the other hand, there are players projected in lower rounds that likely won't see game time in their NFL career.

How can the Broncos make sure they select a superstar and not a bust?

It's simple: Draft USC. 

Not literally the University of Southern California, although that would probably work out well.

No, instead draft the big names of that defense. Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga stand out to me as playmakers, guys that will flat-out bust your chops, and it just so happens that both of these guys are sitting within Denver's range. 

The last first-rounder the Broncos selected from USC was safety Dennis Smith. That worked out pretty well for them for a number of years, and last time I checked, there's a pretty good safety in Pittsburgh from USC.

Let's face it, these guys are monsters, and in the long run, they'll help any team for a number of years. 

So don't mess around with guys from Florida State or Boston College in the first round.

Go to the university that year after year produces some of the best defensive players the game has. Go to USC to solve all your defensive woes.

Can't wait to hear Roger Goodell say:

"With the twelfth pick in the 2009 NFL draft the Denver Broncos select...Rey Maualuga, linebacker, USC."

And then the cheers erupt.