Draft week: Finally

In what has to be the most talked about draft in recent memory, the Broncos will finally decide what to do with that popular number 5 pick.  We can stop with the hundreds of mock drafts, guessing games, analyzations and hand written wish lists to John Elway (don’t worry, I address them all anonymously.)  Thursday could very well be the beginning of the quest back to the playoffs but with so many scenarios yet to play out, Denver will continue to weigh all options; even trading away that oh so valuable top 5 selection.  After months and months of dissecting the top ten players in the 2018 NFL draft, according to several rumors, Denver might choose to trade back and take a linebacker out of Boise State.  Leigton Vander Esch was a stud last year in the Mountain West and many experts dubbed him the breakout player of the year in 2017 but is that the move that will put Denver back on the right track?  Yes, the Broncos are looking for a LB that can cover and Vander Esch checks all those boxes but with the 5th pick in the draft, Denver HAS to take advantage of their position.   Vander Esch is likely a late first rounder/early second so Denver could acquire a handful of good picks in exchange for number 5 while getting one of their guys but after 2 seasons of no playoffs and a record coming in well under .500 last year, the Broncos need to make some noise.  There are only 3 options if they want to get this thing right:

  1.  Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State:  If he’s there, Denver has to do it. He’s the best or at least top 3 on nearly every board.  The guy is a game changer and a class act.  You want to garner some excitement for a franchise in peril?  Then do the right thing and select a guy that WILL be a top 5 running back for the next half a dozen years or better.   Will he be there?  Most “experts” seem to think the notion of getting Barkley is laughable but here’s why it’s not:  The Browns have two picks in the top 4 but a running back is not a high priority for them.  And if the Browns have learned anything from their past (perhaps unlikely) they will draft for need first.  They need a QB – Darnold, and a DB – Minkah Fitzpatrick. That’s the route I believe they’ll go.  Now that just leaves the Giants and the Jets, both in need of their next franchise qb; Rosen, Allen or Mayfield. If the Gmen don’t go QB, their next biggest need is offensive linemen so I expect them to take Quenton Nelson.  The Jets will almost certainly take a QB as journeyman Josh McCown is their current number 1.  So with 3 maybe 4 QBs gone or perhaps 3 qbs and an o-linemen, Barkley will be right there for Denver.  Do the right thing John.
  2. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State:  IF I am wrong….a very strong if here, Barkley could go to the Browns with one of those top 4 picks.  Unfortunate, but the next best thing would be edge rusher, Bradley Chubb.  Pairing him with Von Miller is tempting enough to take him even if Barkley is available.  I would be shocked if anyone other than the Jets takes him ahead of Denver, though he’s a good enough prospect that even if he’s not a “need” I can easily see the Browns or the Giants scooping him up.  The Jets traded up but for a qb or an edge rusher.  My money is on the prior but Chubb would address one of their top 3 needs going into 2018.
  3. Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame:  I was high on him as being the Broncos pick for several months but the thought of Barkley in a Broncos uniform ultimately changed my mind.  However, Nelson would fill Denver’s top need as they’re no longer in search of a starting qb.  Nelson could go early to the Giants but if for some reason Barkely and Chubb are gone then Nelson has to be the guy.

There you go Broncos Country.  No need to get flashy when you have a top 5 pick. I do like the LB out of Boise State but is he worth dealing a pick that (hopefully) only comes along every decade or so?  Those 3 guys listed above will be immediate producers next season and one could make the case for either being Denver’s top selection.  We’ll find out Thursday, finally!

Be sure to join us at the Tavern in St. Michael’s Square (Greeley) from 11a-3p as we get you ready for what should be one of the most important draft days in Broncos history.