2009 NFL Draft: Trano’s Dream Scenario—Getting Nolan Help

First Round-12th Pick

NT B.J. Raji, Boston College

The foundation of any great 3-4 defense is a nose tackle.

For anyone who asks, I’ll provide examples, but every time a nose tackle has been drafted as a first round pick, especially early, their respective defense have had a vast improvement.

The Broncos have three new secondary players (including Brian Dawkins—it’s very hard to suck with Dawk on your team), and two new LB’s. They did bring in two NT’s (Ron Fields and J’Vonne Parker) but they didn’t put an emphasis on D-line. This draft should do this.

First Round-18th Pick

DE Tyson Jackson, LSU

This is where many people expect Maualuga to be selected, but currently, Andra Davis, D.J. Williams, Spencer Larsen, Wesley Woodyard, and Boss Bailey are all playing ILB in the 3-4 scheme.

We haven’t addressed the DE position which is a big need. Continuing to build the D-Line is a big need.

Second Round-48th Pick

SS William Moore, MIZZ

Let’s hope we got the 2007 version. If he can be that guy, we won’t have any type of setback as Brian Dawkins leaves two years from now.

Moore is a good developmental player that will make up for the secondary of the future with Jack Williams, Josh Bell, and Josh Barrett.

Third Round-79th Pick

OLB Cody Brown, UCONN

It was a tough pick between he and Lawrence Sidbury, but Brown offers more in coverage and Sidbury isn’t an elite or consistent pass rusher. (Minus four sacks that he had in a championship game, he may be overrated).

Third Round-84th Pick

QB Pat White, WVU

We are the only team that brought White in for a “strictly passing” workout. If he was anything like he has been since his bowl game, he impressed scouts.

He’s the only QB in history with four bowl game wins, there’s no lack of production in any area despite lack of talent around him (RB Steve Slaton is the only WVU offensive player to boast about), he’s made all the throws, was the Senior Bowl MVP, and we all know what he can do in open field.

Give him the ball and he just wins games. With all these accolades, if he was 6′ 3″, 230 lbs, he’d be the No .1 pick. I’ll take that risk.

Fourth Round-114th Pick

DE Kyle Moore, USC

We’re not done fixing that front seven. We better worry about that pass rush and run stopping before we touch the secondary.

The offense is good enough right now. This is another guy who fits the 3-4 scheme, who has good size and holds his own against the run.

Fifth Round-140th Pick

WR Marko Mitchell, Nevada

We’ll need a big guy to replace Brandon Marshall as it seems that his suspension is imminent.

Mitchell has all the comparisons with Marshall you could think of. Comes from a small school, weird offensive system, no team production, 6′ 3″, 220lbs, a terror in open field, and a jump ball specialist. YouTube him, I wouldn’t lie to you.

Fifth Round-149th Pick

OLB Phillip Hunt, UHouston

Another great pass rusher. Phenomenal pass rusher actually.

His production and senior bowl workouts speak for themselves. Has the potential to do a lot in this league but he should be a Mark Anderson sack guy off the back.

Sixth Round-185th Pick

ILB Lee Robinson, Alcorn St.

Upside is unlimited. Another big guy to put in at ILB. The position is already crowded, but adding another guy won’t hurt the depth.

He’s projected as a nice special teams player and with his athleticism, leadership, and size, who knows what he could be down the line?

Seventh Round-225th Pick

PK Louie Sakoda, Utah

It was horrendous watching Matt Prater kick extra points last year. Sakoda may not be a kickoff specialist, but anything under 50 is automatic for him.

We can keep Prater for long distance kicks (53 and longer) and kickoffs. The two of them would make a great combo.

Seventh Round-235th Pick

CB Londen Fryar, West. Mich.

An underrated prospect with big time potential.

Had a great sophomore year and was first team All-Mac in 2006 and 2007. Second team All-Mac in 2008 but the upside is there.

The defense wasn’t that good and the offense ended up scoring a lot of points, so he got exposed as more teams passed the ball to catch up. He might turn out to be something big with due time on the bench.

 

So yeah, that’s my mock draft.

Two picks in in the secondary and six picks within the front seven. You can never have enough front seven players and the more we have, the more potential we have to be a great team overall. If not, it’s at least good depth.

By round four, we have a brand new D-Line that would make a great rotation with Marcus Thomas, Kenny Peterson, and Ronald Fields already there. Let’s not forget that Dumervil and Darrell Reid will be ends in the 4-3 lineups along with Crowder/Moss. These six new players will keep the rotation fresh with nice talent.

The secondary can be fixed later. We signed three new people and we have young talent behind them. If we can get the pass rush and run stopping figured out, we won’t have to worry about the pass as much.

Thoughts?

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