Denver Broncos Seven Round Mock Draft (Post Cutler, Updated April 3rd)

Finally, the Jay Cutler situation has been taken care of.  The Denver Broncos now have four first round picks in the first round of the next two drafts, including picks 12 and 18 in 2009.  Denver was also able to acquire Chicago's third round pick (84th overall), giving them five picks in the top 84. 

Where does Denver go from here?

First Round, 12th overall: 

Rey Maualuga; Middle Linebacker, USC, 6'2" 249 lbs.

I am a huge fan of Rey Maualuga, and I think the Broncos are too.  Maualuga has the chance to have a Brian Urlacher type of impact at the next level, and that is exactly what Denver needs out of this pick.

Maualuga had been projected to go as early as eight overall by myself, but it looks as though he may fall to this spot for the Broncos.

NFLDraftScout.com analysis:

Positives: Good initial quickness off the snap. ... Quickly gets to top speed, flashing rare downhill explosiveness for the position. ... Reads the action quickly. ... Willing to take on blocks and has the strength and hand technique to shed quickly. ... Good lateral quickness to evade blockers and has the speed to beat backs to the flanks. ...

Gets good depth on his pass drop and is quick to close on the ball. ... Punishing hitter with four career forced fumbles. ... Productive pass rusher with the speed to close on even mobile quarterbacks. ... Can break down in space to make the secure open-field tackle.

Negatives: Has a tendency to overpursue, opening holes in the defense for quick and savvy ballcarriers to exploit. ... Too often relies on his explosive hitting to knock down ballcarriers, rather than wrapping up to make secure tackles.

First Round, 18th overall (from Chicago): 

Brian Cushing; Outside Linebacker, USC 6'3" 243 lbs.

As if the photo was not any indication as to who I have the Broncos taking in round one of this draft, here it is.  I like Brian Cushing here.  He could come in immediately and start at outside linebacker along with teammate Rey Maualuga for the Broncos.

Cushing has been a defensive end before, and has great speed to play in coverage.  He can rush the passer, and has a motor that never stops.  Wouldn't it be crazy to see two Trojans playing for Denver after they didn't even bother to show up at the team's pro day?

NFLDraftScout.com analysis: 

Positives: Physical prototype with a combination of excellent size and overall athleticism for the position. Versatile. Signed with USC as a potential strong safety candidate, but has played defensive end, strong-side linebacker and even middle linebacker. Physical and intense.

Big hitter who looks to intimidate opponents with his physicality in every phase of the game. Attacks blocks aggressively and flashes not only explosiveness but ferocity as a tackler. Good straight-line speed. Good flexibility to turn and run with tight ends and backs in coverage. Reads the quarterback well and can break on the ball.

Productive pass rusher who is equally effective as an end and blitzing linebacker. Immediate standout performer who started for USC as a freshman.

Negatives: Has struggled with injuries throughout his career, missing five games due to a shoulder separation in 2005 and three games in 2007 due to a high ankle sprain, as well as undergoing surgery after the 2006 (shoulder) and 2007 (knee) spring practices.

Relies on his athletic ability rather than his upper body strength to defeat blocks too often. Can overrun the play and allow for cutback opportunities. Mistakes often covered up by the surrounding talent at USC.

Round Two, 48th overall: 

Jarron Gilbert; Defensive End, San Jose State 6'5" 288

Since the Broncos were unable to come up with a five technique in round one, I think they will go after one in the second round.  Gilbert is a very underrated prospect who could be the most athletic defensive tackle available. 

Gilbert is an absolute fiend when it comes to getting into the backfield, and at 6'5", has the potential to add a lot of muscle mass without losing any quickness whatsoever.  He would be a steal at this point in my opinion.

NFLDraftScout.com analysis:

Positives: Rare athleticism for a player of his size. ... Versatile defender with experience at defensive tackle and defensive end. ... Good size potential. ... Naturally large man with room for plenty of additional muscle mass. ... Good initial quickness off the snap. ... Flashes the functional upper-body strength to disengage from blockers. ... Surprising balance for his height. ...

Can break down in space and make the secure tackle. ... At least adequate closing speed for a player his size. ... Flashes some explosiveness as a hitter. ... Long arms and capable of batting down passes and potentially kicks. ...

Often battled two or three blockers as a senior. ... Helped himself with a strong week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game. ... Ascending talent -- might be just scratching the surface of his potential.

Negatives: Bit of a "tweener." ... Struggles with leverage inside and might lack the burst off the snap and flexibility to flank the tackle and close effectively as a defensive end. ... Too often allows blockers to get into his chest. ...

Inconsistent getting his hands up in the passing lanes. ... Questionable level of competition. ... A better raw athlete than football player. ... Some maturity concerns. ... Might be considered a one-year wonder after a breakout senior season.

Third Round, 79th overall: 

Coye Francies; Cornerback, San Jose State 6'0" 185 lbs.

Francies would be a great addition to Denver's secondary.  He has long arms, great speed, and great ball skills.  He would come in and compete with Andre' Goodman for the starting job opposite Champ Bailey, but likely would have to start off as the nickel or dime back.  He reminds me a lot of a young Asante Samuel.

NFLDraftScout.com analysis:

Positives: Good frame to add additional mass. ... Good straight-line speed. ... Loose hips to turn and run with receivers. ... Good agility. ... Can plant and drive out of his cuts. ... Good awareness in coverage. ... Rarely out of position. ... Has a closing burst to the ball. ... Long arms and active hands to slap away the pass. ... At least adequate hands for the interception. ... Good vertical jump and times his leaps well. ...

Can high-point the ball and catch passes outside of his frame. ... Can track the ball over his shoulder. ... Active in run support. ... Fights around and through blocks and willing to stick his head into the pile. ... Willing to lower his shoulder into the ballcarrier. ... Can break down in space and make the open-field tackle. ...

Generally reliable wrap-up technique. ... Good speed and vision as a kick returner. ... Averaged 22.4 yards per return at Oregon State. ... Strong weeks of practice at East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. ... Voted a team co-captain and considered a good locker room presence, despite gun charge that led to suspension from Oregon State.

Negatives: Lighter than scouts would like, especially considering his height. .. Especially thin in the hips and lower legs. ... Very physical in coverage, which could lead to penalties at the next level. ... Only 15 starts at the D-I level over his career.

Third Round, 84th overall: 

Eric Wood; Center, Louisville 6'4" 310 lbs.

Eric Wood has really shot up draft boards this off-season.  The two-time All Big East selection has great size, and a great motor.  The Broncos have been unable to sign Casey Wiegmann to a deal, and his immediate future is in doubt.  Kory Lichtensteiger's future would appear to be at guard, and Wood could be a cog at center for years to come.

NFLDraftScout.com analysis:

Positives: Taller than most centers, but not too upright in pass protection and can still cut block. Works hard on every play, and goes through the whistle. Gets off the ball quickly and gets into the numbers of his man. Can drive back smaller tackles and sustain. Leader of the line and makes the calls. Permanent team captain in 2008.

Solid anchor, using his arms and feet to keep tackles on the line. Will pancake smaller tackles when he gets the inside shoulder. Uses his hands and feet to position blockers, creating holes inside. Picks up late blitzers up the middle. Reliable snap to the quarterback.

Negatives: Not as nimble as some teams may want their pivot man. Can adequately combo to the middle linebacker and get in front of screens at the college level, but may have issues handling NFL speed in the open field. Only adequate in getting his pads low to drive block, and could improve there.

Fourth Round, 114th overall:  Mitch King; Defensive End, Iowa 6'2" 280 lbs.

As of now, the Broncos getting Iowa's star defensive tackle is not just wishful thinking on the part of an Iowa fan.  Denver lacks a true star at defensive end, and King would be an excellent addition to the Denver defense.  His motor never stops, and he has a nose for the backfield.

NFLDraftScout.com analysis: 

Positives: Short, squatty defender with a low center of gravity, making it tough to move him off the line of scrimmage. ... Good strength, especially in his lower body, to anchor. ... Good initial quickness off the snap. ... Good hand placement and quickness. ... Forceful hands to disengage from the blocker. ... Good short-area vertical and lateral quickness to slip blocks and make plays in the hole. ...

Instinctive defender who sees the action and puts himself in position to make plays. ... High-effort, high-intensity player who makes those around him better. ... Four-year starter.

Negatives: Bit of a "tweener." ... Lacks the height, flexibility and speed off the edge teams prefer outside at defensive end and the bulk inside for defensive tackle. ... Needs to be protected by a bigger defensive tackle next to him to handle playing inside in the NFL.

Fifth Round, 149th overall: 

Mike Thomas, Wide Receiver, Arizona 5'8" 195 lbs.

It looks like the Broncos are planning on finding a replacement in the future for slot receiver Brandon Stokley.  While some feel that Eddie Royal is the answer, I feel that Royal is a solid number two guy. 

Not only would Thomas ease the pain of possibly losing Brandon Marshall for four to eight games, but he would be a great developmental slot receiver prospect as well.

NFLDraftScout.com analysis: 

Positives: Short, but has a strong, surprisingly think frame. Good initial burst off the snap and can quickly eat up the cushion if unchallenged at the line of scrimmage. Can sink his hips and shows good immediate burst out of his breaks. Good toughness as a receiver and returner. Not afraid of contact and will go over the middle or attack the seam as a returner with reckless abandon.

Good vision for the cutback and sets up his blocks well. Soft hands for the reception. Can pluck outside of his frame. Good body control to make extend and make the tough catch. Short, but times his leaps well. Returned two punts as a senior -- his first year as a returner. Solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Well suited to moving inside to the slot position.

Negatives: Will be limited to a slot position in the NFL, as he lacks the size and strength to play outside. More quick than fast. Good timed speed, but lacks the top end speed to consistently beat defenders over the top. Prone to lapses in concentration and drops more passes than he should. Production is inflated due to Arizona's spread offense and lack of surrounding playmakers throughout much of Thomas' career.

Sixth Round, 185th overall:  Curtis Painter; Quarterback, Purdue

6'3" 225 lbs.

No change here for the Broncos.  Even after trading for Orton, I still think quarterback is on the menu for the Broncos somewhere in the draft.  Painter fits the McDaniels mold to a "t".  Tall, lanky, unathletic, and a huge chip on his shoulder heading into the pros. 

NFLDraftScout.com analysis:

Strengths: Good size and bulk for the position. Durable four-year starter from a system that produced starting NFL QBs Drew Brees (Saints) and Kyle Orton (Bears). Quick set up and delivery. Legitimate NFL arm strength and accuracy.

Can make every NFL throw, showing the zip, touch and deep accuracy necessary to attack every level of the defense. When given time in the pocket, shows very good accuracy. Can hit the moving target, giving his receivers the opportunity to take advantage of their abilities to run after the catch.

Not particularly athletic, but can roll out, square his shoulders and throw accurately on the move.

Weaknesses: Struggles with pressure. Fails to feel the pocket collapsing around him and too often either absorbs hits or forces the ball into coverage. Will stare down his primary target and trusts his arm strength to put the ball into extraordinarily tight windows.

Simply hasn't made the improvements throughout his career expected of a four-year starter. Has struggled in big-game situations. Missed time as a senior with a separated right shoulder that requires a medical check.

Seventh Round, 225th overall:  Bradley Fletcher; Cornerback, Iowa 6'0" 196 lbs.

Here I go, dipping back into the Hawkeye pool again, but this time it's much more warranted.  I previously had Fletcher pegged as a third round pick due to his versatility and speed, but have come to realize that I may be in the minority in thinking that is where he should/could be drafted. 

Fletcher is a great athlete who could play either corner or safety at the next level, and I like his upside at this point in the draft.

NFLDraftScout.com analysis:

Positives: Prototypical size for the position. ... Flashes a strong initial punch to disrupt the receiver's timing with the quarterback. ... At least adequate straight-line speed to remain at cornerback. ... Flexible hips to turn and run with receivers. ... Has the lateral agility and quickness to break on the ball. ... Long arms and active hands, which he uses well in coverage to bat away passes. ... At least adequate hands for the interception.

Uses his size to his advantage and responds to the physical challenge of bigger receivers. ... Can highpoint the ball. ... Breaks down well in space to make the secure open-field tackle. ... Flashes some pop. ... Has the size and instincts to lead some teams to project him as a free safety prospect. ... Good week of practice at cornerback at the East-West Shrine Game has his stock on the rise.

Negatives: Viewed by some as a bit of a "tweener." ... Lacks great fluidity out of his breaks and must prove he has the deep speed to run with the NFL's elite burners on the outside. 

Only has one full season as a starter. ... Tends to duck his head when fighting through blocks and can lose sight of the ball. ... Not the physical hitter most teams prefer if he is to move to free safety.

Seventh Round, 235th overall: 

Vaughn Martin; Defensive Tackle, Western Ontario, 6'4" 331 lbs.

I recently did a piece on Martin, who is a relatively unknown prospect.  He has great size, speed (5.00 second 40-yard dash), and strength (32 reps of 225 lbs. in the bench press).  He is extremely raw and only played two years of college ball at Western Ontario, but it is said that he can absolutely dominate a game. 

NFLDraftScout.com does not provide a scouting report on Martin, but for a seventh round pick the risk is worth the reward for this unknown.