1. DJ Williams/LB Miami The Broncos traded up to #17 to get themselves into position for one of the two linebacking studs from Miami--Williams
and Jonathan Vilma. I thought they were moving in for Steven Jackson for sure, but I'm not too surprised they decided to offset the loss of Ian
Gold and John Mobley with the huge and athletic Williams. I would have preferred Vilma, who went five slots higher, but I have no doubt this guy
is going to be a surefire starter and has an outside shot at defensive rookie of the year, if the Broncos free him up to blitz the QB. Very solid
pick--I'll give it an A-.
2A. Tatum Bell/RB Oklahoma St. I had a feeling that the Broncos were going to pull the trigger on a running back at this slot. Much like in the first
rounder, I was hoping for a different player--this time Julius Jones, who was snagged by the Cowboys a couple picks later. But Bell is the fastest
RB in the draft and he's got decent size. As the highest drafted RB of the Shanahan era, you'd have to figure this guy will be an absolute stud--I
just don't expect it to happen in 2004. Another very solid pick, so it gets a B+.
2B. Darius Watts/WR Marshall Watts is a lanky but very talented WR who former Marshall QB, Byron Leftwich raves about. He's struggled with
injuries but there is no questioning his athletic ability when he's on the field. He's not a bad pickup but he is an extreme reach this high in the
draft, especially with Keary Colbert of USC still on the board. I'd like to give Shanny the benefit of the doubt on this one because he seems to be
pretty high on him, but given his track record at WR, I'm going to give this pick a thumbs down and give it a C-.
3. Jeremy LeSueur/CB Michigan LeSueur is a big, active corner who has a legit shot to see nickel and dime coverage in his rookie campaign.
And even if he doesn't pan out at corner (he doesn't have blazing speed), he has the size to convert over to safety. He also has special teams
return skills making him a very versatile player. I'll give this one a B.
5. Jeff Shoate/CB San Diego St. Don't know much about this guy, which means we're pretty much into "reach" territory here in the 5th round.
Doesn't have great speed or size, so I'm not expecting much from a guy who the Broncos likely could have snagged in free agency. These crap
shoot players never seem to pan out with Shanahan--I'll give it a C.
6A. Triandos Luke/WR Alabama In contrast to their out-of-nowhere 5th round selection, the Broncos tabbed a decent prospect in the 6th round
in the speedy Luke. With decent size, blazing speed and solid return skills, Luke is almost a lock to make the team and could compete for the
number 3 or 4 slot in the WR corp. Nothing spectacular but I'll give it a B.
6B. Josh Sewell/C Nebraska Now that we're in slim-pickings territory, it's time to load up on project types on both sides of the line. Every year,
the Broncos seem to grab guys just like this and they emerge about 3-4 years later. I fully expect Sewell to be the same. Give this pick a B-.
7A. Matt Mauck/QB LSU It's the end of the draft, so that means it's time to roll the dice--might as well take a shot at rolling craps at the most
important position on the field. Mauck is a nice pickup this late in the draft because what he lacks in pure skills, he makes up in smarts and
toughness--he could be a perfect, low-cost backup type. Only downside is that he no chance to ever become a starter. I'll give it a C+.
7B. Brandon Miree/RB Pittsburgh Miree is a big back who lost a lot of his draft value when he suffered an injury his senior year. Much like
Ahmaad Galloway a couple of years ago, Miree will most likely be a practice squad type and maybe someday he'll amount to something. No
more than a C on this one.
7B. Bradley Van Pelt/QB Colorado St OK, I'm going to pretend I haven't spent the last three years thinking this guy is pretty much an ass after
watching him taunt CU players every year. But even I would have to admit that Bradley Van Punk is one serious competitor. He doesn't have a
prayer at QB, so I'm guessing the Broncos think they can convert him over to LB or something. Whatever. I'll give it a C-.
Final Analysis
I usually feel like the Broncos reach a little bit too much in the draft and this year is no different. Of the 8 players drafted, at least 3 of them were
probably taken ahead of where they should have. Of those 3 you can expect 2 to contribute and one to eventually have some semblance of an
impact. Figure Watts will be that player. Of the remaining, safer picks, I like the DJ Williams and Tatum Bell selections a lot. And LeSeuer could
be a steal. Luke will at least make the team, while Van Smelt probably won't . That leaves us with likely 6 contributors, probably 2-3 impact
players and hopefully 1 stud. Another solid but not spectacular draft. I'll give it a B.
and Jonathan Vilma. I thought they were moving in for Steven Jackson for sure, but I'm not too surprised they decided to offset the loss of Ian
Gold and John Mobley with the huge and athletic Williams. I would have preferred Vilma, who went five slots higher, but I have no doubt this guy
is going to be a surefire starter and has an outside shot at defensive rookie of the year, if the Broncos free him up to blitz the QB. Very solid
pick--I'll give it an A-.
2A. Tatum Bell/RB Oklahoma St. I had a feeling that the Broncos were going to pull the trigger on a running back at this slot. Much like in the first
rounder, I was hoping for a different player--this time Julius Jones, who was snagged by the Cowboys a couple picks later. But Bell is the fastest
RB in the draft and he's got decent size. As the highest drafted RB of the Shanahan era, you'd have to figure this guy will be an absolute stud--I
just don't expect it to happen in 2004. Another very solid pick, so it gets a B+.
2B. Darius Watts/WR Marshall Watts is a lanky but very talented WR who former Marshall QB, Byron Leftwich raves about. He's struggled with
injuries but there is no questioning his athletic ability when he's on the field. He's not a bad pickup but he is an extreme reach this high in the
draft, especially with Keary Colbert of USC still on the board. I'd like to give Shanny the benefit of the doubt on this one because he seems to be
pretty high on him, but given his track record at WR, I'm going to give this pick a thumbs down and give it a C-.
3. Jeremy LeSueur/CB Michigan LeSueur is a big, active corner who has a legit shot to see nickel and dime coverage in his rookie campaign.
And even if he doesn't pan out at corner (he doesn't have blazing speed), he has the size to convert over to safety. He also has special teams
return skills making him a very versatile player. I'll give this one a B.
5. Jeff Shoate/CB San Diego St. Don't know much about this guy, which means we're pretty much into "reach" territory here in the 5th round.
Doesn't have great speed or size, so I'm not expecting much from a guy who the Broncos likely could have snagged in free agency. These crap
shoot players never seem to pan out with Shanahan--I'll give it a C.
6A. Triandos Luke/WR Alabama In contrast to their out-of-nowhere 5th round selection, the Broncos tabbed a decent prospect in the 6th round
in the speedy Luke. With decent size, blazing speed and solid return skills, Luke is almost a lock to make the team and could compete for the
number 3 or 4 slot in the WR corp. Nothing spectacular but I'll give it a B.
6B. Josh Sewell/C Nebraska Now that we're in slim-pickings territory, it's time to load up on project types on both sides of the line. Every year,
the Broncos seem to grab guys just like this and they emerge about 3-4 years later. I fully expect Sewell to be the same. Give this pick a B-.
7A. Matt Mauck/QB LSU It's the end of the draft, so that means it's time to roll the dice--might as well take a shot at rolling craps at the most
important position on the field. Mauck is a nice pickup this late in the draft because what he lacks in pure skills, he makes up in smarts and
toughness--he could be a perfect, low-cost backup type. Only downside is that he no chance to ever become a starter. I'll give it a C+.
7B. Brandon Miree/RB Pittsburgh Miree is a big back who lost a lot of his draft value when he suffered an injury his senior year. Much like
Ahmaad Galloway a couple of years ago, Miree will most likely be a practice squad type and maybe someday he'll amount to something. No
more than a C on this one.
7B. Bradley Van Pelt/QB Colorado St OK, I'm going to pretend I haven't spent the last three years thinking this guy is pretty much an ass after
watching him taunt CU players every year. But even I would have to admit that Bradley Van Punk is one serious competitor. He doesn't have a
prayer at QB, so I'm guessing the Broncos think they can convert him over to LB or something. Whatever. I'll give it a C-.
Final Analysis
I usually feel like the Broncos reach a little bit too much in the draft and this year is no different. Of the 8 players drafted, at least 3 of them were
probably taken ahead of where they should have. Of those 3 you can expect 2 to contribute and one to eventually have some semblance of an
impact. Figure Watts will be that player. Of the remaining, safer picks, I like the DJ Williams and Tatum Bell selections a lot. And LeSeuer could
be a steal. Luke will at least make the team, while Van Smelt probably won't . That leaves us with likely 6 contributors, probably 2-3 impact
players and hopefully 1 stud. Another solid but not spectacular draft. I'll give it a B.
| Jacko's Original 2004 Draft Analysis |