ESPN Football Outsiders recently cited the Broncos' top need this offseason as being in the secondary. The Broncos have two corners who are 30 plus years of age, and two of our top reserves ended last season on injured reserve.
By all accounts, the Broncos also found a gem in rookie undrafted free agent Chris Harris, whose physical play earned him a role as the nickel cornerback. He had his share of mistakes, but for the most part, he showed enough in 2011 to earn himself a decent shot at the number three job again in 2012.
With the impending return of Syd'Quan Thompson and Cassius Vaughn, the Broncos are going to have to do some moving around at cornerback. Each player has a different kind of upside, but cornerback is undoubtedly going to be a need for this team going forward as none of the current prospects on the team seems to have potential as a number one or two corner in the NFL.
Thus, it seems likely if not a certainty that the Broncos will target a cornerback early in the draft, possibly with their first round pick (25th overall).
The Broncos also have some guys who could compete in camp like Tony Carter, Jonathan Wilhite, Rafael Bush, Joshua Moore, and Ramzee Robinson, but unless one of those guys comes out and surprises, Denver is going to seek someone with more upside.
Right now, I have five cornerbacks with first round grades:
There is a second tier of players right after that who have high second round grades that could potentially warrant a first round pick, but in my opinion would be considered a reach:
Out of nine potential targets, I think it's realistic to expect that all but two of these players--Claiborne and Kirkpatrick--will be available when the Broncos are on the clock come draft day. My current thought is that while Janoris Jenkins played his final year of college ball at North Alabama after getting kicked out of Florida, there will be some team that sees fit to not only take a flyer on him in the first round, but to take him in the top 20 selections.
Jenkins is easily a top 20 talent when you put on the game tape. His ability to mirror a receiver and play cover one so effectively is going to make him very attractive to NFL scouts. Not to mention, in his senior season he showed off what he is capable of as a returner, and regardless of the competition, this guy has always been a very good player.
He is potentially a big risk off the field, but if he somehow slides past all the teams in front of us, specifically a team like the Detroit Lions, I will be quite surprised. Therefore, I will consider it a pleasant surprise if Jenkins winds up still on the board when Denver is on the clock.
So, when the Broncos are on the clock at 25, I foresee the top player available at cornerback being South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore, who was my top rated cornerback heading into the 2011 season.
Gilmore really excels in zone coverage because of his closing ability and he can make plays on the ball better than a lot of corners out there. He's also really physical, and it could be beneficial for him to learn from a guy like Champ Bailey who has a similar style of play.
One thing you also really like when you watch Gilmore is the fact that he is a great blitzing cornerback, and can be used either as your primary corner or as a nickel corner and make plays that way.
Another solid prospect that should be on the board is Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard, who was largely overshadowed in 2010 by one Prince Amukamara, who was a first round pick of the New York Giants. Dennard then battled injuries through 2011 but still flashed the type of shut-down ability that made him one of the hottest cornerback prospects heading into this past football season.
Dennard flashed that ability specifically in the final game of the Huskers' regular season against the Iowa Hawkeyes where he pretty much eliminated the best wide receiver in Iowa football history from the game entirely.
As far as early second round prospects that I have on my board right now, Brandon Boykin leads the way. There are a lot of people who think the former Georgia jack-of-all-trades has first round ability, and some have compared him to Alphonso Smith, who was one of our second round picks back in the day.
I definitely don't think Boykin reminds me all that much of Smith, but you could argue it because of how well they play the ball. Boykin has huge upside as a returner and has even played receiver for the Bulldogs.
Virginia's Chase Minnifield and Iowa State's Leonard Johnson are both guys I could see either going in the early second round or possibly later, but I have them rated as high second round prospects. I think both have solid size and tackling ability, and both would be good fits for our defense but in the late first round, I think it'd be a questionable pick to take either of them. It's possible we could trade down out of the first round to try and snag one of them.
One real wildcard is Coastal Carolina's Josh Norman, who showed over the course of this offseason that he can hang with the best of the best after a very solid college career.
Norman caught the eye of scouts at the East-West Shrine game earlier this offseason with his size and athletic ability, and then he showed up at the Senior Bowl and did a lot of the same. He has drawn comparisons to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for his meteoric rise this offseason. Maybe if he has a dominant combine, he can wind up in the first round discussion as well.
Final Thought
In the first round, I think Stephon Gilmore is the corner that really fits what the Broncos are doing, and I think he'd be great value. If that is the direction the team goes early, he would be a great option who could possibly start right away depending how the rest of the roster unfolds between now and then.
4 recs | 71 comments
Great post...
I worry about Gilmore’s speed and lack of explosion. He is a good football player, and that is the most important thing, but using a first round pick on a CB who reportedly runs a 4.5 40, makes me nervous. I love the size but I wonder if Boykin or Norman in the second would be better value. Like you, I wouldn’t mink J. Jenkins, if available.
swg777 - February 11, 2012
Thx for the great analysis
OrangeCrushT.O - February 11, 2012
I still would prefer a pocket collapsing DT in the 1st
One over looked CB that I think will be around late in the 3rd is Jayron Hosley. He had a bit of a down season, but he isnt that far off the 1st rounders talent wise.
OrangeCrushT.O - February 11, 2012
agree 1000%
rubincarterrocks - February 11, 2012
Good thoughts
And I share your opinion because I think a penetrating DT will be there also in round one, and that is my personal preference as of right now. However, I would not be disappointed with a guy like Gilmore. From what I’ve seen of him, his game speed certainly doesn’t look like he is a 4.5 guy and that kind of slow timing didn’t seem to stop us from taking certain guys like Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter last year.
Granted, different positions entirely, but I agree—I think if Janoris Jenkins is on the board, unless he flames out SO badly in pre-draft interviews that he is literally undraftable with a first round selection, I’d probably take him.
Sayre Bedinger - February 11, 2012
Jenkins is actually my favorite 1st rounder
I just think there is no way that he is still on the board at 25. Unless Devon Still falls to us i think the best DT fit for our team would be Mike Martin and like i said further dawn, he would allow us to pick up an extra 3rd round pick (Iloka?).
OrangeCrushT.O - February 11, 2012
Thanks Sayre!
I always look forward to reading your posts, especially this time of year.
With the Broncos history, drafting a CB early always seems like a risky proposition to me. Other than Louis Wright, yea I know that dates me, we haven’t had much success early.
In 2005 we took CB with the 1st three picks, and other than D-Will (and even that pick because of the tragic end we will never know) none of them stuck. If you take the Bailey trade out of the equation it seems we’;ve had nothing more than depth and potential that never translated to the field long term.
That being said I agree that CB would very possibly be the way to go this year with our first and hope that he could be a starter for years to come. Gilmore very possibly could be that player.
Thanks Sayre for the knowledge. Can’t wait for FA and the draft.
Go Broncos!!!!
broncofaninIL - February 11, 2012
those drafts were with different personal deptments
if Shanny was still the head coach you could point to his lack of picking D players and have proof. McD gave away a first round pick on Smith (in the Second) and Detroit has made him into a decent talent but they are looking to upgrade the position still. This regime hasn’t tried a high pick on a corner and thus any guesses to their picking of a NFL talent CB can’t be discussed with any kind of proof.
Whether they go Dline, CB, LB or OG/C I just hope its a good pick for the first several rounds. ALthough with this review it sounds like the 2nd might be the sweet spot.
sbhchawk - February 11, 2012
I'm definitely not saying it can't be done by any means...
I just meant IMO it’s a risky proposition considering the Broncos history of drafting the position. I never said anything about defensive players other than the CB position.
To be clear I didn’t mean it was a bad idea to take a CB early I just meant we haven’t had a lot of success doing it. Believe me I have a lot of faith in EFX and being the kool-aid drinker I am I think whatever direction they decide to go it’ll be for the best.
broncofaninIL - February 11, 2012
Thanks a lot!
I see your point, but this is a new regime who appears to have a pretty good eye for talent. We drafted a guy and signed a free agent who made the Pro Bowl in their first year with the club. I think John Elway’s eye for intangibles is something vastly underrated in our front office. John is a VERY picky player evaluator, as we all can tell, and in addition to having excellent production and athletic ability, Mr. Elway is looking for guys who also have brass stones. You can see that in guys like Von Miller, Rahim Moore, Orlando Franklin, Quinton Carter, Chris Harris—guys who were extremely productive in college, great athletes, but also guys who can’t wait to get to work everyday and become better.
The fact that Elway is so picky about that makes me extremely confident in our draft picks going forward. Even a guy like Nate Irving, who was virtually non-existent in his first season in Denver, was an extremely productive collegiate player who was a third round pick after missing an entire year and nearly losing his life in a car accident. Those are the types of guys Elway is looking for.
Remember when Rahim Moore was drafted, and he basically got all of us fans giddy with his guarantees about how hard he would work and how he was so proud to be a Bronco?
I think unlike the Shanahan and McDaniels regimes, Elway is not specifically looking to fit players to the scheme, he’s looking for great athletes who are just great football players. The Broncos could easily run a 3-4 defense right now because their personnel is not scheme specific. The Broncos are versatile because Elway has been extremely precise in his selections—though the sample size is marginal—and getting guys who can flat out ball.
Sayre Bedinger - February 11, 2012
I share your confidence in the new regime Sayre...and look forward to FA and the draft.
It’s a great time to be a Bronco fan!
broncofaninIL - February 11, 2012
The key to me is if the Broncos are going to draft a corner
He needs to be a #1 guy. We already have three guys (Harris, Squid and Vaughn) who can play the nickle and dime spot, but we need a true #1 or #2 guy. If we just wait till the mid rounds to pick another corner we won’t be doing our defense any favors. The key will be what year the Broncos pick a corner, because with each passing year Champ and Goody are losing their physical skill, if we wait to long, it might be to late and our defense takes a hit, but if we draft one this year, but we take one too far down the board, he will likely just end up being another nickle guy.
Topher Doll - February 11, 2012
Totally agree
They need to plan now to replace one or both of Champ and Goody.
I do slightly disagree that Harris’ upside is only nickel, I honestly think that guy impressed enough that he can be a starter sometime soon, I really do.
But even then, they need to draft a CB with starter potential, with a higher ceiling than the other guys.
And as Sayre points out the list of guys after those three young ‘uns, guys like Wilhite and Carter and so on, is not impressive at all. So if nothing else, they need to plan for more depth. I will not be surprised if the Broncos take 2 CBs in this draft. (Not sure who the FA CBs are so they could also sign someone if there’s a fit)
Have to say, this is when I start getting sad all over again about Darrent Williams. Not just the personal, off-field tragedy of a lost life, but just thinking about how great he would have been by now and how much less of an issue this would be for the team. :(
underdog - February 11, 2012
Yes, that's our CB problem: lots of depth, but no starters
We have no one to replace Champ and Goodman, but more depth below them than we need. Harris, Squid and Vaughn all make very good nickel/dime, but none looks like a starter. This points to using a high draft pick either this year or next.
si_ice - February 11, 2012
Our young guys are really question marks
Squid has a tough injury to deal with, who knows if he can come back in form? He’s only 5’9" and most of us would agree, we probably need a bigger body at the 1 & 2. Vaughn flashed some potential and could possibly man the 2 opposite Champ. Once again Cassius has a tough injury to come back from. Of the bunch, Vaughn is probably the player most capable of playing on the outside. Harris was a pleasant suprise, but I don’t really see him as a player that could hold down one of the outside spots. One thing that cannot be overstated: for once in recent history, the Broncos have the coaching to develop talent on the Defensive side of the ball. I think if anyone could make a later round CB stick, it would be Fox and Del Rio. If we had those guys here when we had the Fonz, we probably wouldn’t be talking about him as a bust!
Champ is still Champ. I hope he got some of whatever Darrell Green had when he was in DC. Green played at a high level for 20 seasons, I hope Champ can do the same. Goodman could still be a viable 2 for a couple more seasons. Improved play from the Safeties and a more consistent pass rush could help him out a great deal. The Broncos have a little time to get it sorted out and I have faith that they will!
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Physcal corners and safeties
We need guys that can put the hurt on the Patriots tight ends
Baghdad - February 11, 2012
Here is my problem with drafting a CB in 2012....
A great front 7 can mask a weaker secondary. A great secondary can NOT mask a weak front 7.
Let’s put our focus on creating a beastly front 7, then worry about the secondary. Just my two cent, but if the BPA on the board is a CB…who am I to argue with EFX?
Tim Lynch - February 11, 2012
I tend to agree with you but
I would argue to follow the talent, not the position. Best player available, though too often overlooked, is the best way to accumulate the most talent. I’m with you though, all things remaining equal, I am all about the front seven.
swg777 - February 11, 2012
A more consistent pass rush could buy us some time to get stronger in the secondary
People tend to forget, that the game is won or lost in the trenches. Fox’s remarks about the pass rush tells us this is most likely the direction they are leaning, but you can’t argue against BPA.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
I agree with this 100%
same reason i did not want Patrick Peterson last year
Scotty Payne - February 11, 2012
Even Deion Sanders agrees with your post.....
bonaire - February 11, 2012
I agree...
Bad front 7 a great corner can be made to look ordinary… while a great front 7 will make CB look great…
I Remember a article that came a while back that listed the cornerbacks on SB winning team and there was no great corners in that list…
Free agency is the way to go for Corners and wide receivers… Draft is great for lineman, linebackers and QB for teams needing one… and later rounds of draft for the Running backs…
Kumar_98 - February 11, 2012
So Worthy in the first and Curry in the second?
tiderfootball09 - February 11, 2012
I'd much rather get Cox
Curry will be taken early by a 3-4 team i believe
Scotty Payne - February 11, 2012
Cox will be a good UT
Of the guys projected to be available at #25, I like him the best.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Free agent CBs
from this list of the top Free Agents (Pete Prisco’s POV)
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/17188691/top-50-free-agents-former-top-pick-williams-is-top-player-on-open-market
quite a few good young CBs on the list but not sure if Broncos will spend on them. Carr, Grimes, Finnegan, Porter (a couple of the other CBs on the list are probably too “old” for Broncos to spend on, imho.)
But I still expect a CB to be drafted in first 3 rounds. Broncos may go LB or DT first, though.
underdog - February 11, 2012
Chris Harris
IMO has an opportunity to be our # 2 guy. He did a great job as the nick and the way the NFL is going the biggest receiving threats are coming from the slot and TE positions. I hope this is the case so we can use our first RD pick on a DT or MLB. Also,I wonder why Fox abandoned playing Champ in the slot more. To me it was working great in preseason.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Vaughn getting injured made playing Champ in the slot impractical
Harris was a little too small and too green to be effective on the outside. Thats exactly why they kept Champ on the outside in the Nickel/Dime.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Green maybe but to small I don't think so.
I rather have him on the outside in certain situation then covering TEs like Gronk.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
I disagree
You put Harris on the TEs because he can run with those guys and has a better shot at making the tackle than our Safeties. He’s only 5’9" which is a mismatch going up against the likes Bowe and Jackson who are a bit faster than Gronk & Hernandez. On the outside, he’s going to get beat like a red headed step child by bigger, faster receivers. His size makes him better suited to cover the slot. Harris eventually could be a viable 2, but it’s not going to be this year. He’ll have to learn how to play taller receivers to make it on the outside.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Gronk owned Harris in that playoff game. That was a bad match up. Harris should have been covering Hernandez maybe or Branch but not Gronk.
I think he covered Welker a lot as well and Welker was constantly beating him. I like Harris but he is small and while the slot seems like a good place for him he needs to improve against the Welker type players.
BroncoMath101 - February 11, 2012
Gronk beat whoever we put on him in that game
The Giants caught a break when he got injured. Harris did a little better on Welker than Gronk. He had a good season for a UDFA, but I think it is way too early to say he can hold down the #2. Thats not meant to be a dis on Harris, its just reality as I see it right now.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Not saying it a lock to happen
But I think Harris can do as good or better a job at C then Goody did this year. The Broncos have Goody listed at 5’10 191 and Harris at 5"10 190, so size is really not a factor.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Goody is salty
He’s learned how to play in the NFL at his height and is a touch faster than Harris. I love Harris and I am glad we picked him up, but he has a ways to go before he can be a legit #2 Corner. If he had #2 upside in college, he would have been drafted. I am sure he can be developed enough to play a the #2, but it’s going to take some time.
I’m just as hard on Goody as the next guy, but he did get hung out to dry by our young Safeties quite a few times. I’m OK with having him at the 2 until someone can beat him out for it. I’d rather have a solid veteran in front of those young guys than another youngster
CH74 - February 11, 2012
I agree
Vetran awareness is always worth alot in the NFL. I just like the dude he reminds of D-Will alot. I hope he can learn as much as possible this year and compete for the job next year.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
I have faith in him
If he keeps at it, he’ll get his shot. There is no way you can’t like Chris Harris if you are a fan of the Orange & Blue!
Losing D-Will helped to put us in that hole we were in. It’s good to see that dark cloud is finally passing us by.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
I agree CH. Still too early. We'll see how he improves this season before we say if he has that potential or not.
BroncoMath101 - February 11, 2012
We need a fast LB to be able to cover Gronk or Hernandez IMO.
BroncoMath101 - February 11, 2012
There are almost no linebackers who can cover TE's like that
Even the most talented linebackers have struggled this season because those two have WR speed, something almost no LB has.
Topher Doll - February 11, 2012
Exactly my point.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Exactly my point.
A 5’9 corner should not be matched up with 6’4,6’5 TE’s that can jump out the gym. I don’t think our mentality as a D should let them catch the ball and then tackle them obviously that plan didn’t work against the Pats. It should be lets defend the ball at all cost. Like I said in a previous thread I’m tired of “bend but don’t break” mentality I want a D that’s going to intimidate and do everything they can not to give up a single yard. Thus, Harris might not be that intimidating kind of guy but I rather have him matched up against a WO so that he can make a play then just letting some big crazy dance the night away TE catch the ball and rumble for TD.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Who would you have cover them then?
My point was the Broncos went with what they thought their best option would be and lost, like a lot of other teams last season. With who the Broncos had available in the secondary for that game, Harris was a logical choice. Carter or Bush would have been a bigger liability and any LB an even bigger liability.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
We're talking schemes now.
Your right they went with what they had. IMO a safety should be jamming those guys off the line but that’s why I’m not a pro coach. I can’t recall the guys name off hand buts it’s the safety the Pats stole from us, I remember him having a great game defending Antonio Gates cause he was jamming him off the line. Don’t know why we but him on the practice squad after that. Also a MLB that would send a message that if you catch a ball over the middle your going to be leaving your spleen on the turf would help. IMO.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Careful, you get fined for that nowadays
I hear what you are saying man. We need to get some nastiness back there. Not James Harrison nasty, but someone who can lay the wood in the passing D.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Exactly!!
You said it perfect. I just want our guys to be nasty. I can’t stand watching them just sitting back looking soft. A couple more pieces and we’ll get there.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
It's getting there
I think there will be a lot more attitude on the Defensive side of the ball with Jack Del Rio coaching those guys up. I got excited in the preseason Buffalo game when Rahim had that monster hit. I want to see more of that, but within the rules.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Great pick up in Del Rio
He’ll not only help scheme wise but also installing that LB mentality in our players.
Yea Rahim knocked himself out a couple of times. Lol
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
That hit gave me Atwater flashbacks
I was saddened we didn’t get to see it in the regular season. Hope Rahim comes back strong after a productive first off season for him.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
You mean the hit that made him scared to hit?
He not only needs an offseason of body conditioning, he needs to get his psyche fixed. I think he got timid after that hit.
Digger24 - February 11, 2012
I don't think he's scared
Its all or nothing with him now. Either he makes a great hit or he losses his jock and as of right now he’s lost quite a few. He’s needs time, he’s very young born in 1990( makes me feel old) and like you said he needs to live in the weight room.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
I think his age is something we all tend to over look
He’s young even by rookie standards. No off season probably hindered him a bit. I know I didn’t have the most sound judgement when I was 21. I’m not ready to give up on Rahim. We need to see him progress this season, especially if Dawkins retires. I do think the fine played on him a bit. If it were the days when Atwater was prowling in the secondary, thats just a great play and probably builds confidence in him rather than tears him down.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
I disagree on why they kept Champ at outside,
there is too much talk out there about moving Champ to safety or playing him in the slot in nickel situations. If he’s lost a step, I haven’t seen it. We see guys targeting him more simply because the passing game in the NFL is more and more wide open and it only stands to reason we would see more passes going his way. He is still a top 5 CB in the league and D Coords still game plan around him. His strength is still his coverage ability, you take away some of that at safety… he is still the guy I’d prefer to have on the other teams #1 WR. He is one of the best, if not the best CB to play the game and I believe that he’s over Deion simply because of his overall football play. Keep him at CB
rubincarterrocks - February 11, 2012
Good points rubin
And the reasons you outlined are the exact reasons they were putting Champ on the slot in the Nickel. The theory behind it was to match Champ up on the hot read and go after the QB to try and force throws to Champ’s guy. Green Bay did this with Woodson to great sucess in 2010. This approach fell out of favor first when Doom was injured and the pass rush was slowed. Then when Vaughn went down, they weren’t comfortable with who was left to cover the outside guy.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
I confess I never thought about it from that view, if
that was the reasoning then I have no problem with that. Our best cover guy on their “hot” guy. Should be situational though. Thanks for the insight CH74…
rubincarterrocks - February 11, 2012
It was purely situational
Vaughn would come in on Nickel situations and Champ would man up the slot. It’s great in theory, but every part of the defense has to work to make it truly effective. The pass rush has to get pressure and the outside guys have to have solid coverage.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Yeah
‘cause he’s got such quick hands to get them in there and break up the pass. Makes sense.
Digger24 - February 11, 2012
The Pack and Woodson were getting picks with that tactic.
Woodson had a monster season because of it in 2010.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
If a CB is on the board when we pick at #25 that is the best on the board, the Broncos should take him. If he is equal in talent (evaluated by EFX) to a pass rusher, I say take the pass rusher. One of those 2nd tier CB’s mentioned will likely be available in the 2nd when we pick and possibly even in the 3rd.
AvalancheRescueDog - February 11, 2012
I'd rather go the FA route on corner
focus the draft on the Front 7 and RB
Scotty Payne - February 11, 2012
I think we need to solve our CB situation this year with a FA. If we want that position to be competitive we need our #2 to be able to hang tough with the
likes of Colston, Graham, Gronkowski, Welker etc. I think we should still draft one but even if we draft a Josh Norman or a Trumaine Johnson (my 2 favorites) they still probably won’t have a great impact at the CB position.
Even Patrick Peterson had less of an impact as a CB than he did as a punt returner. The 10 interception rookies like Devin McCourty are fairly rare. I’d rather bring in a solid FA and then develop a potential #1 or #2 like the guys I mentioned above.
BroncoMath101 - February 11, 2012
Dline and Secondary are deep in this draft
IMO use free agency to shore up Oline depth and the LB corps with Dan Connor. Any GM worth his job will inquire about MWilliams, and so to should Elway. If there is was ever a FA to break the bank for it would be Williams. You would then have 2 edge rushers at DE with Ayers moving into the rotational role he is perfect for (you could even use him at DT in nickle situations). I fell that would allow them to trade out of the first to pick up a 3rd and target Martin&Martin in the 2nd and Iloka&Hosley in the 3rd…….A man can dream right?
OrangeCrushT.O - February 11, 2012
Hate to sound like a broken record but...
there should be no discussion about the pick in the first round…DT who can give us push up the middle and is a run stopper.
I’ve been saying it for the past 2 years and we will continue to have this discussion until we get that DT stud. FA will bring us only rotational guys. I am so in agreement with those above who make the argument that a great D-line makes an average secondary look really good and the reverse is not true. Great football teams are strong up the middle and we, right now, are average on the line (in the middle) and below average at MLB. All discussion about our D is academic in my mind until we get those 2 areas covered.
rubincarterrocks - February 11, 2012
I'm with you!
I so want another Al Wilson.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
I think Dan Connor should be our target in FA
He is no Al Wilson,but who is?
OrangeCrushT.O - February 11, 2012
Sounds good to me
Any up grade at this point would be good.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
A top quality DT who can get pressure on would be great but there is no guarantee that a DT with a 1st ground will be there when the Broncos pick.
SteveUK - February 12, 2012
Honestly I hope there isnt one, that way my dream senario can come true and they can move down and pick both Martins in the 2nd......
its nice living in fantasyland.
OrangeCrushT.O - February 12, 2012
Stanford Routt?
I think the Raiders made a tremendous mistake releasing him two days ago. He will be an outstanding #2 CB on the other side of Champ and he will allow us to draft Dt which we desperately need and is going to make Miller’s and Dumervil’s jobs a lot easier! I am curious about what do you all think?
Dovahkiin1588 - February 11, 2012
I live in So Cal
and alot of my friends, coworkers, and sad to say even some of my family members (extended family of course) are Raiders fans. They all pretty much say he was garbage this year.
OrangeRhino - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Disagree and Agree all at the same time
The Raiders made a smart move to let him walk. They cleared $10,000,000 in cap space on a player who was under-performing and led the league in penalties at his position. That is big for a team that has no choice but to build through Free Agency. He was probably unwilling to renegotiate his deal.
At the same time, I wouldn’t be against bringing him in. I love players that have a chip on their shoulders when it comes to the Raiders. He’d’ have to conform to the Bronco way and play more disciplined. Playing the 2 instead of the one could help or hurt that depending on how you look at it. He’d also have to accept a far more realistic contract that Al gave him. There’s a lot of if’s and but’s there, but it could work.
CH74 - February 11, 2012
Look at what happened when Houston picked up Johnathan Joseph...
They went from a laughable secondary to very good.
I say we try and get a guy like him in FA, and let the draft focus on other needs. On the field experience is huge for a CB, so drafting one is basically picking up a guy that won’t be a true #1 or #2 until later years. I’d like to be able to have a new #2 opposite Champ THIS year.
I do like Dennard, and I always felt he was better than Prince. I have an irrational disdain for Huskers, so that should be worth something LOL
Broncotodd - February 12, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Mile High Report to post a comment.