Pick Grade - A
2.(42) Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech - I don't love this pick. I understand the Broncos need to add depth to their WR corp. Brandon Marshall, while dominant, has a decorated off field history and as this off season showed us you never know what the hell will happen. Stokley, much like Wes Welker, is a guy who you will use exclusively out of the slot.
Royal is an undersized WR who wasn't productive in college. He also has had trouble staying healthy. Where he excels is after the catch with his breakaway speed and on special teams with his great potential as a return man.
With players like De Sean Jackson, Limas Sweed and Malcom Kelly on the board I question the value you get by selecting Royal here.
Pick Grade - C-
4.(108) - Kory Lichtensteiger, C, Bowling Green - Another reason I like the Zone Blocking Scheme, guys like Kory Lichtensteiger. Productive in college but undervalued because of his size, which isn't ideal in a standard blocking system. Since the Zone Blocking Scheme emphasizes quickness and mobility Kory is a great fit. He might never be a star but he profiles as a starter. He'll be a valuable backup at Guard and Center at worst.
Pick Grade - B+
4. (119) Jack Williams, CB, Kent State - Outstanding Athlete and an underrated prospect. However his size will limit his upside as a pro. He's a prototypical dime/nickel back. While his value is questionable (due to his long-term limitations) this draft was incredibly thin in the secondary and besides taking someone like Jack Ike from Wisconsin this was the best they could do.
Pick Grade - C+
5a. (139) Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona St - Who am I to question a RB that Denver drafts. He was very productive in 2006 but got hurt in 07 and only played in 6 games. I don't love Torain but with Denver's success in finding backs who fit the scheme it's hard not to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Pick Grade - B
5b, (148) Carlton Powell, DT, Virginia Tech - Started at a big college program. Doesn't have a lot of upside but plays the run and pass well and profiles as a solid backup. This late in the draft it's hard to criticize picks but I would have preferred to roll the dice with someone like Frank Okam instead. Also they have yet to address their needs at DE/LB and Johnathan Goff would have been a nice fit.
Pick Grade: C-
6.(183) - Spencer Larsen, LB, Arizona - Another Eh pick. He has good size and toughness but he's 25 and therefore his upside is insanely limited.
Pick Grade: C+
7a. (220) Josh Barrett, S, Arizona St - A pick I like a lot. Barett has all the physical tools and athleticism. Had a terrible senior year and was benched. However Scouts Inc. believes he could have been a 3rd rounder if he had come out last year and was one of the top safety prospects coming into this year. Had a sick combine and in the 7th round grabbing a guy with his tools is a steal.
Pick Grade: A
7b.(227) Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas - I love this pick also. He's a tough player with great versatility. Again, in the 7th round getting someone so productive and versatile is a steal.
Pick Grade: A
I find myself torn giving the Broncos an overall grade. I loved the Clady, Lichtensteiger, Barrett and Hillis picks, the rest of the draft I was lukewarm on.
Besides offensive line they didn’t address, mainly DE and LB and I’m not very high on Eddie Royal at WR.
What you can’t complain about is, for a change, the Broncos taking some blue collar guys (Hillis, Larsen, Powell). They have drafted so many troublesome guys with character issues (Marcus Thomas, Mo Clarett and so on.) that totally flopped; it’s a nice change of pace.
Overall Grade: B
