(Sports Network) - Despite bringing in a 36-year-old Peyton Manning to take
over at quarterback, the Broncos' focus in this draft will predominantly be
about getting younger. Age is a particular worry in the middle of the
defensive line, where two prominent members of the rotation (Ty Warren, Justin
Bannan) are on the down side of their careers and Warren has missed the last
two seasons due to injuries, so most insiders expect Denver to use its No. 25
overall pick on the best interior tackle that's still standing. Leading rusher
Willis McGahee enjoyed a career renaissance for the reigning AFC West champs
last year, but the 30-year-old has considerable tread on his tires and 2009
first-rounder Knowshon Moreno seems to have fallen out of favor with the
current coaching staff, which makes a running back with fresh legs a potential
priority for the new Manning-led offense. The Broncos, who picked up a second
fourth-round choice in the trade of popular quarterback Tim Tebow to the Jets,
also seek a future building block at cornerback and are short on quality
reserves on the offensive line, while a more talented alternative to backup
quarterback Caleb Hanie also may be found out of the rookie ranks.
2011 Record: 8-8
Top Needs: DT, RB, OL
First Three Picks: No. 25, No. 57, No. 87
Number of Selections: 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6)
RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2011 - Von Miller (LB, Texas A&M); 2010 -
Demaryius Thomas (WR, Georgia Tech), Tim Tebow (QB, Florida); 2009 - Knowshon
Moreno (RB, Georgia), Robert Ayers (DE, Tennessee); 2008 - Ryan Clady (T,
Boise State); 2007 - Jarvis Moss (DE, Florida); 2006 - Jay Cutler (QB,
Vanderbilt); 2005 - none; 2004 - D.J. Williams (OLB, Miami-Florida); 2003 -
George Foster (OT, Georgia).
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