NFL Draft 2011: Best Case Scenario for Each Denver Broncos Pick

Mel Kiper, Todd McShay and most every other draft expert in the country find themselves in an odd position in 2011. They actually all agree on something.

They all agree that this year’s draft is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent history.

The lack of a collective bargaining agreement has made teams even more cagey and discreet about their draft strategies than ever. Perhaps it is because they haven’t been able to do any work on their rosters via free agency and trade, or perhaps it is because they really believe in the talent that this draft class has to offer.

Either the way the Denver Broncos have been dealt a tricky hand in this year’s draft. For a team that has never drafted this high before, this may be one time that they wish they were more like the Detroit Lions and had some experience near the top.

Still, there are so many great options for the Broncos in this draft that it is exciting to look ahead and see what the best case scenario would be for the Broncos with each pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Round One: Second Pick Overall

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers breaks up a pass intended for Korvic Neat #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Gett

THE PICK: Patrick Peterson, CB LSU

THE SCENARIO:

Decisions that are made this highly in the draft have the potential to make and break franchises. The situation is made more perilous by the fragile state of the Broncos roster at the moment.

However, the best-case scenario for the Broncos might be for the Panthers to stun the world and NOT draft Cam Newton first overall and instead take the Broncos' prize possession, Marcell Dareus.  This will keep the Broncos from feeling like they are forced to draft their apparent biggest need in a defensive lineman and instead take Patrick Peterson.

Think about it this way, if the Dallas Cowboys had taken Tony Mandarich first overall in 1989 then the Green Bay Packers would have had their choice of Troy Aikman, Deion Sanders, Barry Sanders or Derrick Thomas.

I am not trying to say that Marcell Dareus is destined to be the next “Incredible Bust” but what I am saying is that if the Broncos were a more solid team going into this draft they would take the goods; Patrick Peterson is the goods. Elway may face some skepticism at first but years down the road Patrick Peterson may be the guy that everyone wonders why he didn't go No. 1 overall?

Round Two: 36th Pick Overall

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is brought down by Martez Wilson #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonat

THE PICK: Martez Wilson, ILB Illinois

THE SCENARIO:

Either Buffalo or Cincinnati will use the third or fourth pick on a quarterback but the odds are that the other will take either Von Miller or AJ Green. This means that one of them is going to grab a quarterback at the top of the second round and add to the quarterback frenzy that takes place in the late first and early second round.

Again, this helps the Broncos not feel the need to stretch for a QB because there won't be any worthy of a second round pick left. The likes of Locker, Mallett and Kaepernick will most likely be gone and the Broncos will be free to take Martez Wilson.

Martez Wilson exploded in his senior season for 111 total tackles and will provide the kind of stabilizing interior presence that Broncos have been missing since Al Wilson. The similarities don't end with the last name and if Martez can add a little bulk he can easily be the kind of tackling machine that this defense sorely needs opposite DJ Williams.

Round Two: 46th Pick Overall

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SETPEMBER 19: Kyle Rudolph #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pulls away from Roderick Jenrette #40 of the Michigan State Spartans on September 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 33-

THE PICK: Kyle Rudolph, TE Notre Dame

THE SCENARIO:

A lot of draft experts will be chiding the Broncos for not having taken a defensive lineman yet but there is good reason for it.

Despite being a home grown talent and a much celebrated free agent signing, Daniel Graham was not all that the Broncos hoped for and their offense has clearly lacked a TE with the ability to stretch the field.

Kyle Rudolph will be available here because there are still some concerns about the hamstring that ended his season in South Bend. That shouldn't keep the Broncos from trying to solidify this position and be lucky to get the best tight end in the draft. He may not be the blocker that Graham was but Fox can find ways to make him effective in the trenches and his ability to help move the chains on third day will make Kyle Orton a more effective QB.

Round Three: 67th Pick Overall

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Jarvis Jenkins #99 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

THE PICK: Jarvis Jenkins, DT Clemson

THE SCENARIO:

This scenario was set in motion when John Fox was hired and then Dennis Allen after him. The Broncos knew that there was size and potential lurking deeper in this draft and they hired the men they believed could extract the most out of it.

Jarvis Jenkins has the prototypical size and agility to dominate the interior and will compete to play on the Broncos defensive line immediately. The combination of Jenkins and WIlson on the inside should make the Broncos much stronger against the run which in turn should allow Peterson and Bailey to feast on more 3rd down passing situations.

Round Six: 186th and 189th Overall Picks

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 14: Offensive lineman Justin Boren #65 of the Ohio State Buckeyes blocks against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

THE PICK: Justin Boren, OG Ohio State 186th Overall

THE SCENARIO:

The Broncos will find some size for the interior of their offensive line to help bring the power running game back to Denver.

If Either Ryan Harris or Ryan Clady continue to struggle then the Broncos will now have the option move Zane Beadles back out to tackle and have Boren waiting in the wings to add some much needed depth.

THE PICK: Da”Norris Searcy, S North Carolina 189th Overall

THE SCENARIO:

Brian Dawkins has just run out of gas and it won’t be much longer before the same can be said about Renaldo Hill.

Simply put, the Broncos need to get younger at this position and they need to do it fast. Searcy has some great ACC experience and good speed for his size putting down a 4.55 40 yard dash at almost 223 lbs.

Round Seven: 247th Pick Overall

THE PICK: Henry Hynoski, FB Pitt

THE SCENARIO:

Very rarely is a player praised for another’s players stats but, while rushing behind Hynoski at Pittsburgh for the past two seasons, Dion Lewis was able to churn out nearly 3,000 yards.

Fullback is a position that has been largely forgotten in Denver since Howard Griffith was paving the way for Terrell Davis. Hynoski is a player that would not have to be converted and could chip in on special teams right away until John Fox has the running game switched over to his bruising style.