2011 Draft Class Review

Denver Broncos 2011 Draft Class

Name

POS

HT

WT

COLLEGE

Round 1, Pick 2 (2)

Von Miller

LB

6’3"

246

Texas A&M

Pick Analysis: The Broncos selected arguably the best pass rusher in the draft with the second overall pick in former A&M standout LB Von Miller. While most expected the team to fortify the interior of their defensive line, the Broncos, in the words of GM Brian Xanders, "We really stuck with our board, the best player available. We weren’t going to reach to fill a need."

Round 2, Pick 13 (45) (From 49ers)

Rahim Moore

FS

6’0"

202

UCLA

Pick Analysis: A great pickup for the Broncos’ defense.  Moore brings much-needed athleticism, ball skills and youth to the Broncos’ secondary.  Under the watchful eye of Brian Dawkins, Moore should be ready for primetime in short order. 

Round 2, Pick 14 (46) (From Dolphins)

Orlando Franklin

OL

6’6"

316

Miami

Pick Analysis: Not sexy or defense related, but Orlando shores up a problem area that has been plaguing the Broncos for the past several years: depth on the Offensive line.  With a reputation for being hard-nosed and able to play inside or out, Franklin could be a staple of the o-line for years to come.

Round 3, Pick 3 (67)

Nate Irving

LB

6’1"

240

N.C. State

Pick Analysis: Irving could be an immediate starter this season, which is great news, because with the loss of Dumervil back to the d-line, lack of production from most of last year’s squad,  and with D.J. Williams not getting any younger the LB corp is in need of some fresh blood and playmakers.  Irving can bring this, and could be a first year starter.

Round 4, Pick 11 (108) (From 49ers)

Quinton Carter

DB

6’1"

208

Oklahoma

Pick Analysis: I expect Carter and Moore to be the Broncos tandem of the future, and while they may not be the next Dennis Smith and Steve Atwater, they will be a young, dynamic duo that could give the Broncos some stability at the safety position for years to come. Carter is a big, physical safety with good ball skills and great instincts, and like Moore, a year under Dawkins guidance will do him wonders.

Round 4, Pick 32 (129) (From Packers)

Julius Thomas

TE

6’5"

246

Portland St.

Pick Analysis: Somewhat of a reach for the the Broncos, but I can see why they went there.  Thomas is a fantastic athlete, who probably owes Antonio Gates a call of thanks. Why? Well, after being burned by the like of Gates, and Tony  Gonzales before him, the Broncos went after a former basketball player with strong hands and ball skills to see what they could build. He isn’t a finished product at this point, not by a long shot, but his athleticism could make him the matchup nightmare that the Broncos are used to being on the other side of.

Round 6, Pick 24 (189) (From Saints through Patriots)

Mike Mohamed

LB

6’3"

239

California

Pick Analysis: Mohamed, a team captain for Cal Bears and a three time all conference selection,  is a versatile player adept at playing both inside and outside positions.  A finalist for the “academic Heisman”, Mohamed, is also a smart player which is always a plus.  

Round 7, Pick 1 (204) (From Panthers through Packers)

Virgil Green

TE

6’3"

249

Nevada

Pick Analysis: More help at the TE position. Green is a great physical specimen, and if it weren’t for medical issues, I think he would have been drafted much sooner. If Green stays healthy, he could be a steal for the Broncos.  A former wide receiver, Green is a return to a proper receiving TE for the Broncos He’s in the mold of guys like Bronco great Shannon Sharpe — who also was a WR converted to TE and who also was drafted in the 7th round.

Round 7, Pick 44 (247) (Compensatory Selection)

Jeremy Beal

DL

6’2"

262

Oklahoma

Pick Analysis: 2010 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. Twenty-nine career sacks and 57.5 Tackles for a loss. First player in University of Oklahoma’s long history to accumulate over 200 yards lost on sacks.  If Jeremy can live up to his days at playing at OU, he may be the biggest steal of the draft.   That said, though, he didn’t fair well at the combine.  According to some, he lacks the explosiveness required for the next level.  Which may be true, but, I do seem to recall the same thing being said about Elvis Dumervil when he was drafted, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.