The NFL draft is always a hot topic but for Broncos fans, it’s THE topic. At number 5 overall, Denver has an opportunity to change the fate of their crippled franchise. The years of Manning and his records are already long gone and now, the talk of a defensive dynasty seem to be following suit. When Denver had the number 2 overall in 2011 there was nowhere to go but up. They had just fired Josh McDaniels and brought in legendary QB John Elway to right the ship. But we all knew it would take some time….Nope. After Denver drafted Von Miller at 2 and hired John Fox, the Broncos NEVER missed the playoffs. They even snuck in at 8-8 with Tebow at the helm in the first year of the franchise reboot. And once they signed Manning they were at the top of the NFL food chain 4 seasons in a row. Fast forward to the post Manning era and you have 14 wins in two seasons. Ouch. So now more than ever, Elway and company have to get this right. The pressure of two playoff-less seasons coupled with their lack of success, overall, in the 1st round is at an all time high. Other than Von, Denver’s 1st rounders haven’t been overly successful. A case can be made for Roby being a success but for the past few years he’s been a nickel back for the most part…not what you would call a home run by any stretch. Jury is still out on Garret Bolles but overall, the draft has not been kind to the Orange and Blue.
So what should they do? I don’t think they should go QB. I didn’t before the Case Keenum signing and I certainly don’t think so now. They need someone to come in and make an impact like Von did in his rookie season with 11 sacks. Should they go Oline? Quenton Nelson has been my guy for months but I am starting to shift my focus back to the defensive side of the ball. I like Minkah Fitzpatrick out of Bama at CB or even safety or Bradley Chubb as an edge rusher. But I truly feel a case can be made for a running back if, and that’s a big IF, Saquon Barkley is still there. With so many QBs receiving much of the limelight it is possible that 4 teams will pass on the stud runner from Penn State. So, as it sits now, nearly a month away from draft day, I say there’s 4 guys to pick from that Denver HAS to pick at 5. If they feel Case Keenum is a guy that can raise all boats then perhaps a 1st round talent is not where they’ll go at O-line. Defensively they’re still going to be good even without Aquib Talib so that leaves an enticing prospect at a skill position on offense. I’m a running back guy. I’ve said it for years now; if Denver has a solid run game, then everything they want to do will start to fall into place; take pressure off of the QB, allow receivers to go more one on one as safety help will be pulled in and of course control the clock enough to give that defense a break once in a while. I’m not giving up on Devonte Booker but Barkley is a game changer. He’s touted as being a better prospect than Elliot was two drafts ago and his catch out of the backfield game is being compared to Le’veon Bell’s. With a shaky line like Denver’s, having a guy that can make things happen in the short pass game would be a major boost. Barkley has the best intangibles at the running back position out of a class that was given a B+ rating from Lindy’s Sports Annuals. He’s a guy that could take even the smallest holes and create something big. For me, he’s much more of a sure thing than picking a quarterback to hold a clipboard for at least 1 year.
So, let’s assume the Browns, Giants and Jets go QB and for some reason, Cleveland bypasses a RB at 4 (unlikely but….it is the Browns we are talking about) I think Denver will be faced with one heck of a choice: Strengthen the O-line now? Add to a solid D and make it great again? Dare to risk picking a qb to backup their “current” guy? Or, mix it up and draft a player that would vastly improve their run game (even with a weak line.) I say pass on the qb, strongly consider a defensive guy but, if Barkley is there, the Broncos should bring him to Denver. Elway knows better than most what a solid running game can do to an offense but unlike TD before his NFL career, Barkley is a known commodity. Nearly all 32 teams could make a case for this guy.
Either way Denver goes, their 5th pick HAS to land in 2018 or it could spell disaster for the foreseeable and not so foreseeable future.
