2012 NFL Draft: Broncos Making Progress On Signing Draft Picks

The Denver Broncos are beginning to near contract agreements with a variety of their 2012 draft picks, as Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports. Klis notes that the contracts should ultimately be quite similar to contracts given to players drafted in the same slot last year given the minimal change in the league's salary cap.

Here's an outline of the team's top three picks and what Klis believes they'll receive based on last year's contracts:

• No. 36 overall pick DT Derek Wolf will likely receive something around a four-year deal worth $7.6 million with at least the first two years of the deal being guaranteed.
• No. 57 overall pick QB Brett Osweiler will likely receive a four-year deal worth about $3.04 million, a fairly cheap deal for a young quarterback as Klis adds.
• No. 67 overall pick RB Ronnie Hillman will likely receive something around a four-year, $2.75 million deal. The Broncos gave that contract to linebacker Nate Irving last year after taking him with the same No. 67 pick.
The Broncos are also negotiating with four other draft picks, including fourth-round pick Omar Bolden.

2012 NFL Draft: Colorado Alum OL Ryan Miller Signs With Browns

The Colorado Buffaloes nations got some good news on Thursday when it was announced that former Buffaloes lineman Ryan Miller had agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns:

#Browns have agreed to terms of a four-year deal with fifth-round pick Ryan Miller, a league source told the Beacon Journal. #NFL

— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) May 10, 2012

Miller was a fifth-round draft pick for the Browns in the 2012 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-7, 321 pound lineman was selected with the pick the Denver Broncos traded to the Browns in exchange for backup QB Brady Quinn. Miller started four season for the Buffaloes and is expected to be able to play at either the offensive tackle or guard positions.

The 2011, the Browns finished the year with a 4-12 record, allowing 39 sacks for a 6.4% sack rate -- one of the worst in the NFL.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay Sees LB Manti Te'o To Broncos 1 Year Ahead Of Time

Predicting the 2013 NFL Draft one year ahead of time is a fool's errand if anyone wants to take it as realistic assessment of what will happen. Still, a 2013 mock draft does give us some room to determine whom we should start looking at as we gear up for the fall seasons. ESPN Insider Todd McShay doesn't see the Broncos in the playoffs this coming season, as he has them selecting No. 18 overall in his 2013 mock draft.

He sees the Broncos going for Notre Dame Fighting Irish inside linebacker Manti Te'o with that pick. Te'o would have been a first-round selection had he come out last year as a junior. He made 128 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and 5.0 sacks. At 6 feet 2 and 255 pounds, the Hawai'i native is gifted with the size to play middle linebacker.

The Broncos did sign Joe May to a multi-year deal this offseason and Nate Irving, a 2011 draft pick, is looking to make an impact, but a year from now neither may look to be a good option in between Von Miller and D.J. Williams (who is facing a six-game suspension for a drug violation, pending legal action).

Get ready for plenty of draft speculation later this fall!

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft. Keep abreast of all matters regarding the Denver Broncos at the Broncos blog Mile High Report.

2013 NFL Mock Draft: SI.com's Early Projection Has Texas DE Alex Okafor To Broncos

We are one year away from the 2013 NFL Draft, but that doesn't stop anyone from predicting who will be selected in the event 12 months ahead of time. Over at SI.com, Andrew Perloff takes a stab at projecting the 2013 NFL Draft order and the players taken.

Based on the way things fall here, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos don't make the playoffs and receive the No. 17 overall draft pick. At this point, the Broncos select Texas Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor:

The Broncos will jump on the tall, athletic defender. Okafor's linemate Jackson Jeffcoat will also get a lot of attention, but he's just a junior, and Mack Brown finds a way to get his players to stay through their senior year.

Okafor had 52 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a junior in 2011. He certainly appears to be a pass-rushing threat that any team could want. The Broncos already have Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller to attack the opposing quarterback, but it wouldn't hurt to have another outstanding talent there. Robert Ayers has never lived up to being a former first-round draft pick and Jason Hunter and the others are good for depth.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft. Keep abreast of all matters regarding the Denver Broncos at the Broncos blog Mile High Report.

NFL Power Rankings: Broncos Move Up 8 Spots After Peyton Manning Signing, Draft

The 2012 NFL Draft is over and major free agency happenings ended weeks ago, allowing evaluators and analysts a chance to determine how well or poorly teams have done this offseason. SB Nation's Joel Thorman has released his post-draft NFL power rankings, which sees the Denver Broncos in a favorable light at No. 12:

So this is where Peyton Manning and the Broncos land. If Manning is the same old Manning, then this team should quickly move into the top five. If he's not, it could be a long season with high expectations.

This is an eight-spot move from where the team was before the offseason began, but, as Thorman points out, this is all highly dependent on how Peyton Manning performs after missing the entire 2011 season. Going to either Caleb Hanie or rookie Brock Osweiler for an extended period of time this fall will surely make for much consternation from the fans, the players and the front office.

The Broncos do find themselves ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs (No. 19), the San Diego Chargers (No. 20) and the Oakland Raiders (No. 26). Well, for whatever good that actually means three months before training camp begins in August.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft. Keep abreast of all matters regarding the Denver Broncos at the Broncos blog Mile High Report.

2012 NFL Draft: Broncos Given $4.02 Million Signing Pool

According to Aaron Wilson of FOX Sports, the NFL has authorize the Denver Broncos will have $4.02 million to parse out among their seven draftees:

Broncos assigned rookie pool of $4.02 million. Total value of deals for seven picks can't exceed $22.11 million.

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) May 1, 2012

Here is a look at the players the Broncos took in the 2012 NFL Draft:

• Round 2: DT Derek Wolfe
• Round 2: QB Brock Osweiler
• Round 3: RB Ronnie Hillman
• Round 4: CB Omar Bolden
• Round 4: G Philip Blake
• Round 5: DE Malik Jackson
• Round 6: OLB Danny Trevathan

The Broncos also signed a total of 13 undrafted rookies, who will not count against the team's rookie pool.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft. Keep abreast of all matters regarding the Denver Broncos at the Broncos blog Mile High Report.

2012 NFL Draft: Broncos Sign WR Eric Page As UDFA

The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms with WR Eric Page according to Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post. Page makes the 13th undrafted free agent (UDFA) signed by the Broncos and only one of two UDFA wide receivers.

Page played three season with the Toledo Rockets, joining the Broncos after his junior year in 2011. He collected over 1000 receiving yards per season with a total of 3446 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns and led the Rockets in receiving yards each of his three years with the school.

With All-Pro QB Peyton Manning entering the season as the Bronco's starter, Page will have an opportunity to join a highly dynamic offensive unit. In 2010, Manning's last full season in the NFL, four of his receivers had over 600 receiving yards with WR Reggie Wayne bringing in a team-high 1355 yards.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: ESPN's Todd McShay Tabs Wolfe, Bolden As Broncos Most Interesting Picks

ESPN's Todd McShay is one of the NFL Draft's most prominent analysts, but he didn't hand out any letter grades this year. That said, he did select two standout draft picks from each team, one that he thinks will have the most "impact" and one that he thinks is the most "intriguing." The Denver Broncos were light on picks both at the top of the draft and overall but McShay zeroed in on DT Derek Wolfe and CB Omar Bolden in his 2012 draft grades.

He calls Wolfe the Broncos' impact pick, complimenting Denver for trading back to fill its need at defensive tackle instead of reaching in the first round. McShay sees Wolfe pushing for a starting job this year thanks to his "length, quickness and intensity." Bolden is the most intriguing pick, and McShay believes that he could've been a second round pick as opposed to a fourth had he not missed nearly two entire seasons due to a torn ACL. McShay especially likes that Bolden is able to balance aggression and confidence with the ability to play under control.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos Go For TE Tyler Eifert In Way Too Early Projection

With the 2012 NFL Draft over and not a single game played in either the 2012 college football or NFL season, there's time to start making premature 2013 NFL mock draft, just as SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber did just two days after draft ended. In Van Bibber's 2013 NFL mock draft, the Denver Broncos are once again a playoff team but fall short of a Lombardi Trophy. Rather, the team holds the No. 26 overall pick in this projection:

26. Denver Broncos, Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

2012 mock drafts started putting Coby Fleener here, but the Broncos thought otherwise. Eifert gives Manning another weapon.

Van Bibber was riding the Coby Fleener train for the Broncos quite hard in the final days before the 2011 NFL Draft, but this ignores Denver's two tight ends already on the roster: Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme. Both are under contract for three years, and while neither might be on the elite level Eifert is supposed to be as a tight end, do we really believe the Broncos would look to a tight end in the first round?

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Broncos Receive A 'C' From SBN Studios Team

The 2012 NFL Draft is over and premature grades for the classes have been handed out by the SB Nation YouTube Studio team. The San Diego Chargers come out on top with an 'A' grade while the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders each take a 'B' grade. The Denver Broncos? A 'C' grade. Check out the video below:

Brad Wells liked the Broncos' offseason free agency moves, but he believes that the draft wasn't great. Brock Osweiler was the headliner out of all the choices, but he's a backup. Defensive end Malik Jackson was a great value pick while cornerback Omar Bolden is the sleeper of the class (he missed the 2011 season due to a torn ACL

Check back in three years or so to see how things really grade out.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Denver Broncos Get 'C+' From CBS Sports' Pete Prisco

CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Pete Prisco has assessed each team's draft haul, and while he's not as harsh on the Denver Broncos for their Brock Osweiler pick, he only gives them a C+ for their efforts over the weekend.

Analysis: John Elway and crew had a decent draft, but not a great one. The pick of Brock Oseweiler [sic] in the second round probably surprised some people, but they need a long-term answer for when Manning retires. They did get some nice third-day guys.

Grade: C+

Related: 2012 NFL Draft Grades: Broncos A 'Loser' According To CBS Sports' Will Brinson

Prisco thinks running back Ronnie Hillman was the best pick Denver made, but he doesn't care for the decision to trade out of the first round and draft Derek Wolfe.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Denver Broncos Receive 'D' From Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke

In assessing the 2012 NFL Draft, Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke didn't really care for what he saw from the Denver Broncos, and their selection of Brock Osweiler especially. He gave Denver a D-grade for their efforts over the weekend.

Denver Broncos: Help us, Peyton Manning, you’re our only hope. This doesn’t feel like a draft that will put Denver over the top. DT Derek Wolfe fills a need, but Jerel Worthy or Devon Still would have been safer picks, and the Brock Osweiler selection at 57 makes absolutely no sense. Grade: D

Related: 2012 NFL Draft Grades: Broncos A 'Loser' According To CBS Sports' Will Brinson

The Osweiler pick in particular seems to have become a bit of a lighting rod for draft analysts. As is the case with most draft-related matters, only time will tell.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

NFL Draft 2012: CSU's Mychal Sisson Invited To 3-Day Camp By Seahawks

Former Colorado State linebacker Mychal Sisson has been invited to a three-day mini camp by the Seattle Seahawks, as the school announced on Sunday. Sisson was never selected during this year's NFL draft, giving him the freedom to try out for whomever he chooses.

Sisson finished off his senior year with the Rams in 2011, but injuries prevented from playing for a while during the middle of the season. Before that, he was a consistently healthy starter for Colorado State, proving to be one of the best players on the Rams' defensive unit.

During his junior season with the Rams, Sisson was named second-team all-conference in the Mountain West after leading the nation with seven forced fumbles. In Seattle, he'd potentially be joining a developing team under former USC coach Pete Carroll.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Broncos A 'Loser' According To CBS Sports' Will Brinson

Everyone likes a winner and no one really likes a loser, so why not determine those categories in the 2012 NFL Draft!? That's what CBS Sports' Will Brinson did, and the Denver Broncos come out as losers in this particular list.

Brinson's main issue with the draft John Elway and John Fox conducted seems to be with the second round selection (57th overall) of quarterback Brock Osweiler, a guy who won't play for at least a couple of years due to the presence of Peyton Manning.

Because all Brinson can think about is the now. Osweiler is a developmental prospect and working under Manning, one would hope, is the best way for that to happen. Calling the Broncos losers mostly because they decided to look long-term with this one selection is short-sighted. But Brinson does like some of the picks:

They got some depth on defense and I like Ronnie Hillman as a guy to fit into what Manning does on offense, but Denver needed to be more aggressive about making their team better immediately and they didn't do that.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Mel Kiper Gives Broncos 'C+' For Class

In the all too premature world of grading a draft as it happens, 2012 NFL Draft grades are already out. ESPN's Mel Kiper has graded every team and given the Denver Broncos a 'C+' for the overall haul. Kiper is excited for defensive tackle Derek Wolfe's future in the NFL, believing he could have gone in the first round. The others all receive mixed reviews.

Kiper questions the utility of Brock Osweiler sitting around doing nothing (whatever that really means) for a year, but that has more to do with Osweiler leaving school early than the Broncos actually picking him. Kiper discusses running back Ronnie Hillman, cornerback Omar Bolden and offensive lineman Philip Blake with the verb "could." They could do this, but...

Kiper arrives at the 'C+' grade by giving the team a 'B-' for need but a 'C' for value.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Broncos 2012 NFL Draft Grades: SB Nation Gives Denver A "C+"

2012 NFL Draft: Broncos Sign 12 Undrafted Free Agents

After the conclusion of the 2012 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos front office kept busy, initiating a flurry of undrafted free agent -- or college free agent -- signings. The official Denver Broncos blog has the latest details for the latest signings, which include:

• DE Jamie Blatnick, Oklahoma St. Cowboys
• LB Elliot Coffey, Baylor Bears
• LB Jerry Franklin, Arkansas Razorbacks
• S Duke Ihenacho, San Jose St. Spartans
• LB Steven Johnson, Kansas Jayhawks
• CB Coryell Judie, Texas A&M Aggies
• TE Anthony Miller, California Golden Bears
• OL Mike Remmers, Oregon St. Beavers
• WR Gerell Robinson, Arizona St. Sun Devils
• OL Wayne Tribue, Temple Owls
• OL Austin Wuebbels, Missouri Tigers
• Long snapper Aaron Brewer, San Diego St. Aztecs

Perhaps most notable among the signees, Jamie Blatnick collected an impressive 16.0 sacks in his OSU career and 50 tackles in his senior season.

In addition to the nine players selected during the draft, this brings the Broncos' rookie total to 21 entering the 2012 NFL Season.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

Undrafted Free Agents 2012: Colorado State RB Raymond Carter Heads To Packers

The Colorado St. Rams have yet another alumni entering the NFL. According to RB Raymond Carter's Twitter account, the former Rams halfback will be joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent:

Lmao!! alright I'm sorry y'all for the miss communication I'm actually heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

— Raymond Carter (@HumbleMan_Ray) April 29, 2012

Carter becomes the first Ram to enter the NFL since G Shelley Smith was drafted in the 6th round in 2010. Current CSU alums include QB Caleb Hanie and All-Pro LB Joey Porter.

Carter ran for 584 yards on 121 attempts in 2011, good for a 4.8 yard per carry average. He also proved to be a capable receiver from the backfield, averaging 9.2 yards per catch with 15 receptions in his senior year. He originally announced that he had signed with the Green Bay Packers before reporting his "miss communication."

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

Tyler Hansen Winds Up With Bengals After Briefly Believing He Was Headed To Raiders

The Colorado Buffaloes had just two draft picks in total during the 2012 NFL Draft and none of them was quarterback Tyler Hansen. But he didn't need to wait long to sign with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent. It just took an extra 30 minutes or so for him to sort out that he would sign with the Cincinnati Bengals.

At first, Hansen believed he would sign with the Oakland Raiders. But 10 minutes later:

Wait...

— Tyler Hansen (@THansen9) April 28, 2012

Another 10 minutes pass and we're told to hold on because ... he was sorry for "misleading" us all. He was going to be a Bengal. It'll be a tough task for Hansen to make the Bengals roster this summer, but there's no reason he can't stay on the practice squad and eventually work his way into being Andy Dalton's backup.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

Undrafted Free Agents 2012: Kellen Moore To Sign With Lions, According To Report

Seven rounds went and six Boise St. Broncos players were drafted, but quarterback Kellen Moore was not one of those lucky six. However, being undrafted does provide Moore with a slight benefit than his six teammates, who helped lead the team to a 50-3 record over the last four seasons: Moore is able to sign with any team he wants to now. And that he did, signing with the Detroit Lions, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

This move does make sense for both sides. The Lions have only two quarterbacks on the roster currently following the departure of Drew Stanton. Incumbent start Matthew Stafford isn't going anywhere any time soon, but Shaun Hill, the backup, might eventually want to move on. This way, Moore lands in a place that does need a third quarterback. Plus, Stafford is always a potential risk for injury, which certainly could land Moore as a backup at some point.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Montana MLB Caleb McSurdy Goes To Dallas Cowboys In 7th Round

Montana Grizzlies inside linebacker Caleb McSurdy was taken in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys with pick No. 222. McSurdy will complete Dallas' draft.

At Montana, McSurdy was an all-conference performer in the Big Sky and the 2011 Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior, McSurdy tallied 130 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. McSurdy had 112 tackles as a junior.

McSurdy has been characterized as an instinctive player who lacks foot speed. He ran a 4.82 40-yard dash at the combine. In a best case scenario, McSurdy will spend his rookie season as a member of the 53-man roster and contribute as a special teams player. The road is long and tough, but McSurdy can surely do it.

Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Toney Clemons Selected By Steelers

Despite a tough season on both sides of the ball for the Colorado Buffaloes, one guy that provided consistent leadership and production was Toney Clemons. Clemons, who started his career at Michigan, recorded 43 catches during each of his two seasons in Boulder. He played his best football at the end of his career, going over 100 yards receiving in three of his last four games.

Clemons is the only WR the Steelers have selected so far in the draft. He is a smart football player that showed the ability to get open against the defense. He has struggled with dropping the ball at times in his career, but if he can show the consistency that was on display at the end the season, he could find a role in Pittsburgh.

For more on the Broncos, visit Boise State blog One Bronco Nation Under God. Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Arizona Selects Nate Potter

The perception that Boise St. doesn't have a lot of NFL talent will certainly be changing after the 2012 NFL Draft, as Nate Potter became the sixth Bronco selected. Potter was selected in the 7th round by the Arizona Cardinals and will provide offensive line depth for a team hoping to compete in the NFC West.

Potter started every game during his final two seasons at Boise St. and provided excellent protection for Kellen Moore at the left tackle position. While he played primarily tackle at the collegiate level, Potter possesses the athleticism and versatility to really play any position on the offensive line.

Potter is the third offensive lineman the Cardinals have selected in the draft and they have put a clear focus on improving the depth along the line. The key for this group will be providing Kevin Kolb with enough time to get the ball to all the offensive weapons Arizona possesses.

For more on the Broncos, visit Boise State blog One Bronco Nation Under God. Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Boise State DT Billy Winn Selected By Cleveland Browns

With 205th overall pick, the Cleveland Browns selected Boise State defensive tackle Billy Winn in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Winn was a productive player for the Broncos, though one who's highest highs came during his sophomore season. Winn is said to be athletic and versatile, but scouts worry about his lack of consistenty. Pro Football Weekly had Winn rated as the 10th best defensive tackle in the class.

As a sophomore, Winn totaled 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. As a junior, Winn had 28 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Last year, as a senior, Winn totaled three sacks.

Winn measured 6-3 and 295 lbs. while running a 4.78 40-yard dash at the combine.

For more on the Broncos, visit Boise State blog One Bronco Nation Under God. Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

Broncos Draft Picks 2012: Kentucky's Danny Trevathan Goes To Broncos In 6th Round

Barring any trades, the Denver Broncos have made their last selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, grabbing Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Danny Trevathan with the 18th pick (188th overall) of the sixth round. This was the second draft pick the Broncos acquired from the New York Jets as part of the Tim Tebow trade back in March. The Broncos sent its own sixth round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Joe Mays trade.

Trevathan, 6 feet and 237 pounds, led the Wildcats with 143 tackles in 2011. He is similar to former Wildcat and current Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who has become a leader on the special teams.

Here are the other Broncos picks so far:

Cincinnati DT Derek Wolfe
Arizona St. QB Brock Osweiler
San Diego St. RB Ronnie Hillman
Arizona St. CB Omar Bolden
Baylor C Philip Blake
Tennessee DE Malik Jackson

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: George Iloka Tapped By Bengals In 5th Round

The Boise St. Broncos now have four players drafted in the 2012 NFL Draft following the Cincinnati Bengals' selection of safety George Iloka in the fifth round. Iloka slipped down in the draft after several projections had Iloka going as high as the second round.

A humble beginning.......#BLESSED

— George Iloka (@OchoDaRebel_8) April 28, 2012

The other Boise State draft picks were defensive end Shea McClellin to the Chicago Bears (Round 1, 19th overall), running back Doug Martin to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 1, 31st overall) and defensive end Jordan Crawford (Round 3, 81st overall).

Defensive tackle Billy Winn and offensive tackle Nate Potter also both still up for grabs in the late rounds. And, of course, we're all waiting for Kellen Moore.

For more on the Broncos, visit Boise State blog One Bronco Nation Under God. Head over to SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft for more on the 2012 NFL Draft.

2012 NFL Draft: Ryan Miller Selected By Cleveland

For the second consecutive year, a Colorado Buffaloes offensive lineman has been selected in the NFL Draft, as the Cleveland Browns chose Ryan Miller in the fifth round. Last season, the New England Patriots selected Nate Solder with their first round pick.

Miller had a very consistent career at Colorado, starting a school-record 48 games. Miller has the size to play right tackle in the NFL, measuring in at 6'7 and 326 pounds. Miller began his career as a tackle at Colorado, but following an injury during the 2008 season, he moved to guard, which is where he played the majority of his career.

This is the second selection the Browns have used on an offensive lineman, as they picked Mitchell Schwarz in the second round. Cleveland drew a lot of attention in the first round after adding both Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Broncos Draft Picks 2012: Malik Jackson To Denver In 5th Round

The Denver Broncos used the 137th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft on Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Malik Jackson. The Broncos acquired the pick from the St. Louis Rams in the Brandon Lloyd trade back in October. Because Lloyd caught 30 passes for the Rams, the Broncos' initial sixth-round pick moved to a fifth-round pick, second pick of the round.

Jackson, 6 feet 5 and 284 pounds, had 56 total tackles in 2011 with 11.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He had 10.5 sacks over his first three years, including five as a junior in 2010. He could potentially moved between end and tackle, but he will certainly rotate in and out on defense.

Here are the other Broncos picks so far:

Cincinnati DT Derek Wolfe
Arizona St. QB Brock Osweiler
San Diego St. RB Ronnie Hillman
Arizona St. CB Omar Bolden
Baylor C Philip Blake

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Broncos Draft Pick 2012: Osweiler Thrilled To Be A Bronco

After signing Peyton Manning to be their quarterback of the present, the Denver Broncos addressed their future with the selection of Brock Osweiler in the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Osweiler has the unique opportunity to learn from two of the all-time great QB's in Manning and John Elway. According to the official website of the Broncos, this is a chance Osweiler is ready to take advantage of:

"I could not be any more excited to be going to Denver to learn from Peyton Manning," Osweiler said. "A lot of quarterbacks might be upset about having to sit behind somebody, whereas I look at it as a tremendous opportunity to learn from one of the best, if not the best, quarterback to ever play the game."

Osweiler is still a bit raw, as he didn't fully dedicate himself to football until arriving on the Arizona St. campus. Osweiler was also a tremendous high-school basketball player in Montana and earned a scholarship to play at Gonzaga. However, he ultimately decided to play football and is ready to show his dedication to the game in Denver:

"I’m just absolutely completely estactic to be a Denver Bronco," Osweiler said. "It’s a dream come true. I absolutely can’t wait to get to Denver and can’t wait to get to work and give everything I have to that organization."

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Broncos Draft Picks 2012: Denver Grabs Baylor C Philip Blake

The Denver Broncos dipped into Texas on Saturday afternoon to grab Baylor Bears center Philip Blake in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. Blake, 6 feet 2 and 311 pounds, hails from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is 26 years old.

He will slot in behind fellow former Bears center J.D. Walton, the current start for the Denver Broncos. Walton has had an up-and-down time in the NFL over the first two years of his career. The Broncos did attempt to bring in former Peyton Manning teammate Jeff Saturday to play center, but he went to the Green Bay Packers.

Blake might certainly challenge Walton in a year or two.

Here are the other Broncos picks so far:

Cincinnati DT Derek Wolfe
Arizona St. QB Brock Osweiler
San Diego St. RB Ronnie Hillman
Arizona St. CB Omar Bolden

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Broncos Draft Picks 2012: Omar Bolden Goes To Denver With Pick No. 101

The Denver Broncos opened their Day 3 of the 2012 NFL Draft with Arizona St. Sun Devils cornerback Omar Bolden. He is the second Arizona St. player the Broncos have taken this year, the other being quarterback Brock Osweiler. Bolden missed the entire 2011 season due to a torn ACL.

Bolden, provided he is fully healthy, provides depth at cornerback behind Champ Bailey and Tracy Porter while also giving the team an option at kick returner following the departure of Eddie Royal this offseason.

The Broncos make their next selection at No. 108 overall, which then leaves the team with two draft picks left for the day.

Here are the other Broncos picks so far:

Cincinnati DT Derek Wolfe
Arizona St. QB Brock Osweiler
San Diego St. RB Ronnie Hillman

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Denver Broncos Earn Lowest Grade In AFC West For Day 2 Picks

The first three rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft are in the books, and the crew over as SB Nation You Tube put together some snazzy grades for each division in the NFL. With plenty of surprises and a gaggle of trades there is a lot to break down, so be sure to check out each video.

With regard to the AFC West grades, Kansas City Chiefs earned a "B/B+" for shoring up their offensive line, the San Diego Chargers grabbed an "A" for getting a defensive end and filling a serious need at strong safety. Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders got a "B" because the guys were willing to ignore the implications of the Carson Palmer trade and merely looked at the team's single pick, while the Denver Broncos came out with the lowest grade (C+) for reaching to get QB Brock Osweiler.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick withSB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Broncos Receive A 'B' From SB Nation's Joel Thorman

In the all too frequent snap-judgments people like to make on things in football, the NFL Draft is no different. Grades for the 2012 NFL Draft are already coming out. Over at SB Nation, NFL editor Joel Thorman has put out his draft grades following Day 2 of the event. He gives the Denver Broncos a 'B' for the three selections the team made:

36 seemed a little high for Derek Wolfe. Like the Brock Osweiler pick, considering Manning is 36 years old. Ronnie Hillman will fit into the running back rotation.

OK, so Wolfe might be a reach, but only by a bit, it seems, while the only pick that is really given approval here is Brock Osweiler -- who may or may not actually be a good quarterback. That Hillman "will fit into" the backfield is a type of faint praise that doesn't really say all that much about him. If he can play like Darren Sproles, Hillman will certainly be more than just a guy who fits into a rotation.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft: Best Available Players For Saturday

The Denver Broncos have been very active in the 2012 NFL Draft, and with four selections left they still need to address needs along the offensive line, in the defensive secondary and at wide receiver. Peyton Manning will need more options if the Broncos want a potent passing attack, so this is a great time to look at some of the best wide receivers still on the board for the late rounds on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. MT (ESPN and NFL Network). SB Nation's NFL Draft website, Mocking The Draft has complied a complete list of best players available for Saturday. Here are the five highest-rated WRs left on the board after three rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft:

60. Dwight Jones | 6'4, 220 pounds | Wide receiver | North Carolina

70. Marvin McNutt | 6'2, 215 pounds | Wide receiver | Iowa

74. Joe Adams | 5'10 1/2, 174 pounds | Wide receiver | Arkansas

89. Marvin Jones | 6'1 7/8, 198 pounds | Wide receiver | California

93. Chris Givens | 6'0, 195 pounds | Wide receiver | Wake Forest

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick withSB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Denver Broncos Draft Picks 2012: Denver Will Select 4 Times On Saturday ... Possibly

The Denver Broncos have four draft picks on Day 3, the last and final one, of the 2012 NFL Draft. After trading down twice on Day 1 to acquire an extra fourth-round pick and the No. 36 overall draft pick, the Broncos made three selections on Friday, as expected. However, the third and final choice the team made came about as the result of another trade. The Broncos moved up several spots to draft where the Cleveland Browns had been slotted. The teams swapped third round picks, which means the Broncos kicked in one of their extra fourth-round picks to make it happen.

Meet the Broncos' draft picks thus far:

Cincinnati DT Derek Wolfe
Arizona St. QB Brock Osweiler
San Diego St. RB Ronnie Hillman

Here are the final draft choices the Broncos have (barring trades):

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft: TV Schedule, Start Time And More

The 2012 NFL Draft comes to an end on Saturday afternoon with the third and final day of festivities. We will get Rounds 4-7, as we have done so over the previous two years. The Broncos hold four selections on Saturday, but it's certainly possible that the team could trade its picks. However, it might be safer to believe the team will make four choices on Saturday.

On Friday night, defensive tackle Derek Wolfe, quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Ronnie Hillman all joined the Broncos. Who will be the next several players to enter the history the storied franchise of the Denver Broncos?

Time: 10:00 a.m. MT, Saturday, April 28, 2012

Location: Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York

TV: ESPN and NFL Network

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Cowboys Take Boise State DE Tyrone Crawford

The Boise State Broncos' whirlwind 2012 NFL Draft continued on Friday night when DE Tyrone Crawford was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 81 overall pick. In the last two seasons under Chris Petersen, Crawford has 27 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. He'll likely join Rob Ryan's attacking defense as a pass rushing outside linebacker.

Crawford is the third Bronco to be drafted so far this year, joining Shea McClellin, who was tabbed by the Chicago Bears, and Doug Martin, who was grabbed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both players were taken in the first round. As pointed out by CBS Sports' Bryan Fischer, the Broncos as a team have almost equalled the entire SEC East in terms of draft picks taken so far this year.

Boise State has had three players drafted so far. Entire SEC East has four.

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) April 28, 2012

For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Broncos Trade Up, Grab RB Ronnie Hillman

The Denver Broncos made a trade with the Cleveland Browns to move up to the top of the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft to grab San Diego St. Aztecs running back Ronnie Hillman. Denver traded the 87th and 120th overall picks for the No. 67 pick.

Hillman was just a sophomore in 2011, but he was unable to play in 2009 so he was in reality three years removed from high school. He rushed for 1,711 yards and 19 touchdowns in the fall, but he is just 5 feet 8 and 200 pounds. That might not be a disadvantage, really. He has been compared to Darren Sproles, who has had success with the Chargers and the Saints.

Hillman likely won't challenge Willis McGahee for the majority of shares, but he will certainly be heavily involved, possibly as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Montana CB Trumaine Johnson

With the 65th overall pick (third round) in the 2012 NFL draft, the St Louis Rams selected Montana Grizzlies cornerback Trumaine Johnson. Johnson was ranked as the No. 12 overall cornerback in this draft by Mocking the Draft.

Johnson is 6 feet 2 and 204 pounds, making him part of the bigger cornerbacks we're seeing in the league these days. According to Mocking the Draft, Johnson needs experience in press coverage and that he is built more like a safety.

Johnson had 15 career interceptions with the Grizzlies and clocked in with a 4.61 40-yard dash time at the Combine in February. While some teams might have been scared off by his off-field issues just a bit, the Rams are certainly looking for better things out of him.

Based on true talent, Johnson likely could have gone much higher than he did.

For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Denver Broncos Draft QB Brock Osweiler

The Denver Broncos have not only Peyton Manning as the quarterback of now, but also the quarterback of the future with Brock Osweiler. The team used the 57th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft to select the Arizona St. Sun Devils junior man under center.

Osweiler became the object of many mock drafters on Friday, projecting the 6-foot-7 pass-thrower to the Broncos. He could have played college basketball, but he decided he'd much rather throw the pigskin around.

With the Broncos, Osweiler will be able to play a year or two behind Manning, learn, grow and then assume the mantle of starting quarterback. Or maybe Osweiler will need to be thrown into the fire if Manning's health ever comes into such concern that he can't play. But no one is looking forward to that potential future.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Utah State's Bobby Wagner Goes To Seahawks In Round 2

The Seattle Seahawks used the No. 47 pick of the 2012 NFL Draft to select Utah State Aggies linebacker Bobby Wagner. The Seahawks acquired that pick by trading down with the New York Jets. from No. 43 overall, a pick used to draft wide receiver Stephen Hill.

The 6-foot-1, 232-pound linebacker had 147 total tackles as a senior in 2011, picking up 11.5 sacks and four sacks along the way. Will he remain as a middle linebacker remains a hanging question.

Wagner joins West Virginia Mountaineers defensive end/linebacker Bruce Irvin as a Seahawks pick so far. Irvin was a bit of a surprise to many draft observers on Thursday night when he went No. 15 overall. He generated late buzz and might have gone later in the first round, but the Seahawks believe they have a good one.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Chiefs Add Illinois OL Jeff Allen

The Kansas City Chiefs have made their second-round selected and opted for Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Jeff Allen. He played tackle for the Illini, but Will Shields announced him as a guard.

On Thursday night, the Chiefs used its first-round draft pick on Memphis Tigers defensive tackle Dontari Poe, the 11th overall pick. While that selection was viewed by many as a boom-or-bust pick, this is a solid selection that fits a general need for the team.

SB Nation Kansas City likes the pick for the versatility Allen brings to the offensive line.

Allen is the third Illinois player drafted so far, joining Whitney Mercilus and A.J. Jenkins, the latter being a bit of a surprise pick of the first round to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 30 overall.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Derek Wolfe Goes To Broncos At No. 36

With the 36th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos have selected Derek Wolfe, a defensive tackle/defensive end prospect from the Cincinnati Bearcats. Wolfe played 45 games during his time with the Bearcats, picking up 19.5 sacks and 89 tackles during his four years of play. He was co-named Big East player of the year in 2011, his senior year.

This pick fills a need for the Broncos, who lost Brodrick Bunkley to the New Orleans Saints in free agency. He'll play in a rotation that includes Kevin Vickerson, Ty Warren, Justin Bannan and Mitch Unrein. He certainly could be the young anchor on the line, especially if Ty Warren's injury-prone nature creeps up again.

The Broncos' next pick will be the 57th overall selection later in the second round.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 Projections Continue With Jerel Worthy, Brock Osweiler To Broncos

It appears that many mock drafters believe the Denver Broncos should select Arizona St. Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler in the second. The latest Round 2 mock draft from Scouts Inc. has the Broncos drafting the towering quarterback with the No. 57 overall pick. He's a developmental quarterback who gets to learn from Peyton Manning. It's a solid move if it turns out to be true. But what about pick No. 36, acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

With that selection, Scouts Inc. foresees the Broncos going with Michigan St. Spartans defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. If the Broncos get Worthy at No. 36, the pick will look good and bad bad. It's good that the Broncos didn't need to spend a first-rounder and then spend millions to sign him, but at the same time that Worthy becomes a second-round pick does call into question the level of talent/production that we might expect from him.

The Broncos' first two picks on Friday will certainly be well worth waiting for and making a quick judgment on them, right?

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Order, Rounds 2 And 3:

The 2012 NFL Draft will go two rounds on Friday night with the second and third ones taking place over several hours -- or maybe just a couple, based on Thursday's results. We saw eight trades during Round 1 and we can certainly count on many more on Friday night and especially on Saturday with Round 4-7 taking place then.

Instead of 64 picks in these two rounds, there will be just 63 selections. The New Orleans Saints lost their second-round draft pick this year and next as a result of the bounty scandal the team found itself in during March. The Oakland Raiders had forfeited their third-round selection after selecting quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the third round of the supplemental draft last August. However, they picked up a compensatory third-round pick through gains and losses in free agency.

Here is the complete draft order for Friday night:

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper Projects G Amini Silatolu, QB Brock Osweiler For Broncos In Round 2

Mel Kiper Jr. has released his Round 2 mock draft, and if things fall the way he has projected them, Denver Broncos fans might be up in arms with the first pick and possibly the second as well. With the No. 36 overall pick (acquired through trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), the Broncos draft Midwestern St. guard Amini Silatolu. Kiper writes that this isn't a need pick but one meant to help its offensive line become elite. Then at No. 57 overall, the Broncos grab Arizona St. Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler to wait in the wings once Peyton Manning hangs up his cleats.

If the Broncos traded down twice to pick up a Division II guard to fill in an area that isn't a huge need that will likely upset a segment of the fans. The Broncos have Zane Beadles, who is a decent start, and Chris Kuper is one of the top guards in the league, albeit recovering from a broken leg and dislocated ankle. This wouldn't address the team's need at defensive tackle while Devon Still, Jerel Worthy and Kendall Reyes are all still available with that first pick.

The Osweiler pick certainly makes sense. He will be able to gain valuable learning experience from Peyton Manning and hopefully correct his shortcomings by the time he is ready to be the team's starter. But we know not everyone will be 100 percent behind this possible selection.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Rumors: Bronco In Prime Place For Some Of The Best Players Still Available

The 2012 NFL Draft resumes on Friday night with Rounds 2 and 3 ready to go at a brisk pace -- or so we hope. Round 1 came in at just three hours, which might be a good indication that we should expect picks to fly again. And for the Denver Broncos, that means they have three chances to nab new talent: twice in the second round and once in the third.

The Broncos are definitely in a position to grab some of the best players available on Mocking the Draft's board on Friday evening. Defensive tackles Devon Still (No. 13 overall) and Brandon Thompson (No. 23 overall) could certainly be in play for the Broncos at No. 36, as would be No. 46 overall's Jerel Worthy. Defensive tackle is an area of need for the team after the departure of Brodrick Bunkley, and one of those players should be available when the Broncos pick.

Running backs Lamar Miller and Bernard Pierce are also available still after the Broncos passed on Doug Martin and David Wilson in the first round. Or maybe the Broncos want to nab No. 62 overall Brock Osweiler to be Peyton Manning's understudy for a couple of years. Oh, the possibilities that exist....

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft: John Elway Says Broncos Can Still Get Players They Targeted At No. 25 Down At No. 36

The Denver Broncos were active in the trade market during Round One of the 2012 NFL Draft, and after moving down twice, executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway spoke about exactly why the team decided to deal down. The Broncos started on Thursday with the No. 25 selection, but they traded down to No. 31 with the New England Patriots, and then flipped No. 31 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the No. 36 overall pick while also picking up selection No. 126 in the 4th Round.

Elway told the team website that the 2012 Draft Class is "not real thick at the top, but it's pretty deep through the middle rounds." Additional picks will provide the team with flexibility to go after players on their board that slipped into the second round, and Elway added that "we'll still be able to get the same people that we had targeted that made it to us at (pick No.) 25 at (pick No.) 36." In essence, Elway told the website they the team's draft board still looks the same heading into pick No. 36 as it did at No. 25, and that there are several targeted players they believe will still be around in the early second round.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos Projected For TE Coby Fleener, DT Josh Chapman In 2nd Round

The Denver Broncos have two second-round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft as a result of making two trades to leave the first round and picking up the No. 36 overall pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While this might dismay many Broncos fans, we should hope that John Elway and John Fox know what they are doing in what overall is a mediocre draft year. And mock drafters can now act like they are doing just that!

Ryan Van Bibber's second-round NFL mock draft at SB Nation is out and it addresses a couple of concerns for the Broncos. With pick No. 36, Stanford Cardinal tight end Coby Fleener joins the Broncos and might quickly turn out to be better than Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme, both signed this offseason. Peyton Manning certainly won't have a shortage of weapons to throw to this season.

With the 57th overall pick, the Broncos nab Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Josh Chapman. After much debate of which DT the Broncos should grab in the first round, the team waits all the way until the second round to answer that question. Chapman is a big body and should help clog the line against opposing running backs.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Broncos Receive An 'A' From SB Nation

We're not even 24 hours past the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, but the draft grades are already rolling out for selections made and not made on Thursday evening. The SB Nation YouTube team and NFL analysts stayed up all night to break down the first round, and in the AFC West the Denver Broncos come out with the best grade from the first day:

As we saw in the video, the Broncos come away with a solid 'A' grade from Ryan Van Bibber. He likes the Broncos two trades down because they didn't move down too far -- just 11 spots. Van Bibber thinks this move will pay off if tight end Coby Fleener and a defensive lineman are taken with the team's two second-round picks, but I'm not sold on John Elway and John Fox being that obvious with their choices on Friday night.

The San Diego Chargers receive a 'B' from David Fucillo for Melvin Ingram's selection while the Kansas City Chiefs take a 'C' for Dontari Poe, who has potential that might not translate to the NFL. The Oakland Raiders come in last with a 'C-' as a result of not having a first-round pick, which they traded for Carson Palmer.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Round 2 Mock Draft: Broncos Projected To Pick DT Devon Still And RB Bernard Pierce By Mocking The Draft

The 2012 NFL Draft started with a bang in Round 1, and picks flew in every direction during a flurry of trades, but there is plenty more excitement to come. Round 2 and Round 3 will play out on Friday in front of a national television audience (5 p.m. MT, ESPN and NFL Network), and the Denver Broncos hold the No. 36, No. 57 and No. 87 picks.

SB Nation's NFL Draft site, Mocking The Draft, set up a Round 2 Mock Draft for the 2012 NFL Draft, and the Broncos address each theirs needs at defensive tackle and running back by selecting Penn State DT Devon Still at No. 36 and Temple RB Bernard Pierce at No. 57.

The Broncos traded back twice in Round 1 and they hold eight total picks in the rest of the 2012 NFL Draft, so the rest of the weekend should be fun.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Denver Broncos Draft Picks 2012: Broncos Hold 8 Draft Picks Entering Day 2

The Denver Broncos opened the 2012 NFL Draft with the No. 25 overall pick but did not exercise it. Instead, the team traded down twice (with the Patriots and then the Buccaneers), leaving them out of the first round all together. The team received a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick all told in those deals.

The Broncos will hold the No. 36 overall pick on Friday night when the draft commences again. Day 2 of the draft will have Rounds 2 and 3. The Broncos have three picks, but no one should feel confident that the Broncos won't make any trades. Of course, with three fourth-round picks, the Broncos might certainly be able to get another pick on Day 2 somehow.

Here is a complete listing of the Broncos' draft picks over the next two days:

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft: TV Schedule, Start Time And More

After a wild Day 1 of the 2012 NFL Draft, the league is back at it again on Friday evening with Rounds 2 and 3. There were a total of eight trades during the first round, and we can certainly expect more of them on Friday night. The Denver Broncos made two of those eight trades, which might be an indicator that the team could make more trades on Friday.

After a first round that took just three hours, one must wonder how fast the second and third rounds will go one Friday. Will the picks be flying like they do in the MLB Draft? Let's find out.

Draft time/date: 5:00 p.m. MT, Friday, April 27, 2012

Location: Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York

TV: ESPN, NFL Network

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Trade: Denver Broncos Trade Out Of No. 31 With Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Denver Broncos won't be drafting in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After trading out of the No. 25 slot and down to No. 31 with the New England Patriots, the Broncos then flipped No. 31 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the No. 36 overall pick. The teams also swapped fourth-round picks with the Broncos receiving No. 101 for No. 126.

This is not too surprising since John Elway was up front about the team possibly trading out of the first round. The team obviously didn't find any players it wanted to in the first round and is looking to make value picks in the second, third and fourth rounds.

Will this play work out for them when the draft continues on Friday and Saturday?

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Boise State RB Doug Martin Goes To Tampa Bay Buccaneers At No. 31

With the 31st overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Boise St. Broncos running back Doug Martin. Martin is the first Boise State running back to be selected in the first round, joining offensive tackle Ryan Clady (2008, 12th overall), safety Kyle Wilson (2010, 29th overall) and linebacker Shea McClellin (2012, 19th overall) as other former Broncos to go in the opening round.

Martin, a 5-foot-9 runner, accumulated 3,431 yards and 43 touchdowns while playing five years for the Broncos. He rushed for a career-high 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2011. Along with Kellen Moore, Martin helped bring the Broncos to a 50-3 record over the last four years.

Martin will compete with Kahlil Bell this summer once camps open in August.

For more on Martin, head over to Boise State Broncos blog One Bronco Nation Under God. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft: Broncos Trade With New England Patriots For Pick No. 31

The Denver Broncos have traded the No. 25 overall pick to the New England Patriots for the No. 31 pick and a fourth-round pick. This was the second time the Patriots have traded up in this draft, gaining the No. 21 overall pick from the Cincinnati Bengals to draft Syracuse Orange defensive end Chandler Jones. The Patriots used the 25th overall pick to select Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dont'a Hightower.

Denver traded 25th pick to NE for 31st pick and a fourth-rounder.

— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) April 27, 2012

The Broncos will now have three fourth-round draft picks as a result of this trade. The Broncos acquired the second one from the New York Jets as part of the Tim Tebow trade back in March.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Boise State LB Shea McClellin Goes To Chicago Bears At No. 19

With the 19th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears selected Boise St. Broncos defensive end/outside linebacker Shea McClellin. McClellin ranks as the No. 8 defensive end in this draft in Mocking the Draft's estimation. McClellin rocketed up draft boards after the Combine. Though he can play both with a hand down and standing up, he was announced as an outside linebacker in the NFL.

The 6-foot-3, 258-pound linebacker totaled 20.5 sacks, including 16.5 over the last two season. He grabbed four interceptions as well. This is what Mocking the Draft had to write about McClellin before the draft:

Final Word: Shane McClellin has a chance to sneak into the first round and makes a lot of sense for a team that plays 3-4 defense. He gets after the passer well and is a safe pick due to his consistently high motor. McClellin was very productive in some of Boise State's biggest games last season, which is a great sign moving forward.

He now gets his chance to prove himself with the Bears, a team that had not selected a defensive player in the first round since the middle of the previous decade.

McClellin is the third Boise State player to go in the first round. Will running back Doug Martin join him in the first round?

For more on McClellin, head over to Boise State Broncos blog One Bronco Nation Under God. For more on the NFL Draft, stick withSB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: San Diego Chargers Select Melvin Ingram At No. 18

The San Diego Chargers used the 18th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft on South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Melvin Ingram. He fell a bit, as many thought when the New York Jets were on the clock that Ingram would head to the Empire City. However, the Jets decided to go with North Carolina Tar Heels defensive end Quinton Coples.

Ingram, 6 feet 1 and 264 pounds, is a versatile player who can also play standing up and act as a linebacker. He could be one of the better edge rushers to come out of this draft.

Obviously, the Broncos will see Ingram twice this year. Will Orlando Franklin and Ryan Clady be up to the task to take on this rookie? Clady almost certainly is, but Franklin needs to take a step forward on his pass-blocking.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Kansas City Chiefs Select DT Dontari Poe With 11th Pick

With the 11th overall pick, the Kansas City Chiefs have selected Memphis Tigers defensive tackle Dontari Poe. Poe declared early for the draft, leaving after his junior season. He has the potential to be the biggest boom-or-bust player in this draft

Poe has been knocked by some scouts for not knocking around his Conference USA opponents, but he will be under the tutelage of new Chiefs coach, Romeo Crennel. Poe should anchor the 3-4 defensive line by playing nose tackle for the team.

If Poe can turn his potential into production for the Chiefs, the Denver Broncos could be in for a world of hurt. He will go up against an offensive line that includes Zane Beadles, J.D. Walton and Chris Kuper on the interior. Will Poe be able to beat them consistently in the years to come?

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Results: Jim McElwain Sees Former RB Trent Richardson Go No. 3 To Browns

Jim McElwain is in his first year as the Colorado St. Rams' head football coach after a successful stint with the Alabama Crimson Tide as the offensive coordinator for the last several years. His running back there, Trent Richardson, was just selected by the Cleveland Browns as the No. 3 overall pick. McElwain congratulated Richardson on Twitter right after the pick:

Congratulations to Trent Richardson on his selection by the Browns in the #NFLDraft. Great to see the hard work pay off!

— Jim McElwain(@CoachMcElwain) April 27, 2012

Richardson should have no problems taking the starting position from Day 1 of camp in August -- though he should already be first on the depth chart.

McElwain won't have the talent of a Richardson with the Rams quite yet, but he is bringing parts of the Nick Saban system with him to Fort Collins. Maybe in a few years the Rams will have a highly-regarded draft pick like Richardson. We'll see when it all begins in the fall for McElwain and the Rams.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos Projected For DT Michael Brockers, RB David Wilson By Mocking The Draft

We're just two hours away from the 2012 NFL Draft, which means we can finally be at an end for mock drafts for a couple of hours. But until that happens, here's another one to look at! Another Mocking the Draft projection goes three rounds deep and provides the Denver Broncos with a decent haul.

In the first round, the Broncos grab LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, shift to offense with Virginia Tech running back David Wilson in the second round and then Arizona St. cornerback Omar Bolden in the third round. This takes care of several areas of need, defensive tackle being the most obvious. Wilson helps ease the load off of Willis McGahee, and Bolden provides depth behind Champ Bailey and Tracy Porter.

And we'll see how right this is in the first round soon enough and on Friday for Round 2 and 3.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Predictions: Broncos Select DT Jerel Worthy In Football Outsiders Mock Draft

The latest mock draft out of Football Outsiders is probably unlike any other before it. The Mocktopus is a mock draft system that combines Top 100 prospect ratings, positional priority algorithms and good, old fashioned mock drafts available on the Internet to run 10,000 simulated NFL drafts.

The results of the first beta test suggest the Denver Broncos will select Michigan St. Spartans DT Jerel Worthy:

25. Denver Broncos / Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Mocktopus likes Worthy to go to the Broncos because, for some reason, the mock drafts have formed a consensus around Worthy and the Broncos despite the logjam of interior defensive linemen in this draft.

Worthy enters the 2012 NFL Draft as a 21-year-old, having finished the 2011 college season with 3.5 sacks in his junior season. Worthy turns 22 on Saturday.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Albert Breer Predicts CB Dre Kirkpatrick For Broncos

There is far from any consensus on which player the Denver Broncos will select with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. The NFL Network's Albert Breer complicates the routine mock drafts by predicting cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick will fall to the Broncos:

The Broncos' secondary needs help, and the fact that Kirkpatrick -- who's gotten knocked around lately by draftniks -- falls here is a godsend for Denver.

Even with Champ Bailey and the newly-signed Tracy Porter, the Broncos do need more help in the secondary. The team basically relied on Bailey for the entire 2011 season with Andre Goodman doing more harm than good. And potentially down the line in a season or two, Bailey could make the move to safety, allowing Porter and Kirkpatrick to man the corners.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

NFL Draft Order 2012: Reminder, Broncos Pick At No. 25

The 2012 NFL Draft won't have much intrigue in the top two spots when things kick off at 6:00 p.m. MT on Thursday night. The Indianapolis Colts will select Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck and the Washington Redskins are almost assuredly going to grab Baylor Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall pick.

After that, there's plenty of speculation going on, which means that it really is a crapshoot to determine which player the Denver Broncos will select at pick No. 25 overall. We can guess that it will likely be a defensive tackle, but it might be just as likely for the Broncos to move the pick. We'll know for sure later on Thursday.

Here is the complete listing of first-round draft choices:

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

NFL Draft 2012: Lamar Miller, Doug Martin Options For Broncos At No. 25

The Denver Broncos last selected a running back in the first round during the 2009 draft, grabbing Knowshon Moreno with the No. 12 overall pick. Moreno has largely been a disappointment in his three season with the team, missing a good portion of the 2011 season due to a knee injury. Luckily, the Broncos brought in Willis McGahee last season. But it might be time for the Broncos to look at another running back in the first-round.

The Broncos could look at Boise St. Broncos running back Doug Martin, as ESPN Todd McShay has mocked, or Miami Hurricanes running back Lamar Miller might be an option. Both players are expected to be available toward the end of the first round. Only Alabama's Trent Richardson is expected to be a highly-drafted running back.

The Broncos do understand the type of talent that does come out of Miami with Willis McGahee coming from there and former player Clinton Portis having success in Denver in the early part of the previous decade.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. Of ESPN Projects DT Kendall Reyes To Broncos At No. 25

The 2012 NFL Draft begins on Thursday night at 6 p.m. MT on NFL Network and ESPN, and in Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2012 NFL Mock Draft the Denver Broncos are projected to take University of Connecticut defensive tackle Kendall Reyes at No. 25 overall. The ESPN draft guru thinks Denver should take the best available interior defensive lineman, and says "I know they like Reyes."

Interestingly, Reyes is listed as the ninth-best defensive tackle according to positional rankings at Mocking The Draft, but his scouting report offers glowing praise for a disruptive style of play and versatility along the defensive line and comes with a bold prediction that Reyes has a good chance at being selected in the first round. Perhaps Reyes is one of those late risers in mock drafts and will be a surprise selection on Thursday night in the first round.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft: ESPN's Todd McShay Projects Boise St. RB Doug Martin For Broncos

The 2012 NFL Draft on Thursday night should make one college player the latest individual to join the Denver Broncos. Will that person be a defensive tackle, a receiver or maybe even a tight end? Nay, writes ESPN's Todd McShay in his latest mock draft. He foresees the Broncos going with Boise St. Broncos running back Doug Martin with the No. 25 overall pick.

This pick makes sense with the way the rest of the mock pans out before and after. Defensive tackles Dontari Poe, Fletcher Cox and Michael Brockers are all gone in the top 15 picks and Devon Still looks like a second-rounder in the final few days (which, you know, might mean nothing).

Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is off the board two picks earlier and wide receiver Kendall Wright the pick before that one. The Broncos then are left with a choice of running back Martin or Stanford tight end Coby Fleener. Martin would be able to compete with Willis McGahee for half the snaps, maybe, and provide a complementary back if he can't do that to begin with in 2012. The Broncos already have Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme locked in at tight end.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft: Michael Brockers To Denver Broncos, According To Mocking The Draft's Final Projection

The waning hours, the sweaty palms, the final tweaks to the big board -- it's almost time for the 2012 NFL Draft. It's also time for the last meaningless mock drafts to come out, because there's nothing better than wasting time by predicting the NFL draft. Over at Mocking the Draft, a final projection has been released and the Broncos are taking LSU Tigers defensive tackle Michael Brockers with the No. 25 overall pick:

The Broncos made the biggest move of the offseason by adding Peyton Manning. Now the team has to determine if they need to add weapons around him. A true vertical receiver like Stephen Hill will be attractive for the team. But the Broncos can't fall too in love with its offense and forget the needs on defense. Namely, Denver needs a pair of defensive tackles who can occupy blockers to free up Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. In the LSU defense, Brockers was often asked to take up blockers. His upside is high, so he may not be around by the time this pick comes up.

Brockers could also be a top-15 selection, which would totally throw off this pick. Or he might not go that high. The Broncos do need a defensive tackle and should have their choice of several when they pick at No. 25 -- or if they pick at No. 25. There's bound to be some mock draft that will correctly "predict" the Broncos pick. Will it be this one?

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2012 NFL Mock Draft, Round 1: Broncos Select Coby Fleener In Final SB Nation Mock

The 2012 NFL Draft starts on Thursday night at 6 p.m. MT with Round 1 at Radio City Music Hall, and the Denver Broncos hold the No. 25 overall pick. Peyton Manning was the biggest addition any team made during the offseason, and now Denver is trying to surrounding him with quality talent on the offensive side of the ball. That's exactly what they do in SB Nation's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft.

The managing editor of Turf Show Times -- SB Nation's Rams blog -- and SB Nation NFL contributor Ryan Van Bibber is at the draft and has spoken with Mike Mayock of the NFL Network and NFL Films legen Greg Cosell, so he's loaded with information. Van Bibber believes the Broncos are primed to pick Stanford TE Coby Fleener with the No. 25 pick:

25. Denver Broncos, Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Peyton Manning had Dallas Clark for all those years in Indianapolis. He'll be making the pick for Denver this year. Adding a seam stretching tight end like Fleener gives the Denver offense another dimension. Joel Dressen cannot do what Fleener does as a receiver.

Fleener is the second-best tight end prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft, according to Mocking The Draft.

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NFL Draft 2012: Denver Broncos Linked To DT Dontari Poe In Tribune Mock Draft

The Denver Broncos hold the 25th pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, which will be conducted on Thursday night in New York. Denver GM John Elway has plenty of options, with most mock drafts projecting the Broncos to focus their attention on defense. There's a variety of names being throw around and plenty of talented pass rushers in the class. The Broncos should see a name they like when it's their turn to pick,

Sam Farmer of the Tribune has the Broncos selecting 350-pound Memphis Tiger defensive tackle Dontari Poe at No. 25.

25. Broncos: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe has boom/bust potential. He's a physical phenom whose tape is unimpressive. If a team taps into that potential, look out.

Poe is a very large human who put up great numbers at the combine but didn't have much sack production in college.

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2012 NFL Draft: TV Schedule, Start Time And More

Months and months of speculation and predictions come to an end on Thursday night when the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft commences in prime time once again. As in the previous two prime time drafts, the first round will be the only round that will take place on Thursday. Rounds 2 and 3 will take place on Friday while Rounds 4-7 will close things out on Saturday.

Unless the Denver Broncos trade up -- they reportedly talked with the Jacksonville Jaguars about the No. 7 overall pick -- it will be some time until their draft choice of No. 25 overall comes up. Or maybe it doesn't come at all because the team trades out of the first round. We won't know until later on Thursday evening.

Draft time/date: 6:00 p.m. MT, Thursday, April 26, 2012

Location: Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York

TV: ESPN, NFL Network

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2012 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos Hold 7 Draft Picks

The 2012 NFL Draft begins on Thursday evening with the first round, where the Denver Broncos have just one draft pick: the No. 25 overall choice. In total the Broncos have seven selections, but that is certainly open for change. John Elway and John Fox aren't afraid to wheel and deal during the draft.

The Broncos will select once each in the first, second and third rounds. The team has two fourth-round picks as a result of acquiring the No. 108 pick from the New York Jets in the Tim Tebow trade. They also acquired a sixth-round pick in that deal, the only choice they have in that round. The team's own sixth-round choice went to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2010 Joe Mays trade (after J.J. Arrington failed to make the 53-man roster). Denver sent its seventh round choice to New York as the other piece moved in the Tebow deal.

The Broncos have the St. Louis Rams' fifth-round choice as a result of the Brandon Lloyd trade, upgraded from a sixth-round choice upon Lloyd's 30th reception with the team. Denver's own selection in the fifth round went to the Cleveland Browns to complete the Brady Quinn trade.

Here is the complete list of Denver Broncos draft picks entering Thursday's first round:

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2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mike Mayock Predicts DT Dontari Poe For Broncos

We are just hours away from the 2012 NFL Draft, providing us precious few opportunities to read many more mock drafts. But the NFL Network's Mike Mayock has come out was his one and only mock draft of the season. For the Denver Broncos, Mayock foresees the team grabbing Memphis Tigers defensive tackle Dontari Poe

I've been trying to find a spot for him since pick No. 11 with the Chiefs. The Broncos need a guy who can come in and play inside. At 350 pounds with movement skills like Haloti Ngata, Poe is the guy. On third down, when most defensive tackles are out of the game, Poe will be at his most effective.

Comparing Poe to Ngata is high praise, indeed, but is it just hyperbole. Poe, for all his reported skill, was a standout at the combine and that propelled him in many mock drafts to a high draft spot. If he falls to No. 25, Poe might be a steal or we're seeing how teams really feel about Poe.

He never really dominated opposing teams while playing for Memphis, accumulating just five sacks in three years.

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