SB Nation Denver - All Postshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2013-04-22T15:49:51-06:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/current/2013-04-22T15:49:51-06:002013-04-22T15:49:51-06:00Mock draft: Broncos snag Werner
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<figcaption>Joe Robbins</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation's new mock draft has the Broncos taking Bjoern Werner.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> are looking for a new pass rusher after a fax snafu sent <span>Elvis Dumervil</span> packing. With less than a week to go before the draft, they could find their answer in the first round.</p>
<p>SB Nation's Dan Kadar <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/22/4250052/2013-nfl-mock-draft" target="_blank">released his latest mock draft</a> on Monday. In it, he has the Broncos taking Florida State defensive end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114291/bjoern-werner">Bjoern Werner</a> with the 28th pick:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>After the Elvis Dumervil fiasco, the Broncos could be in the market for a defensive end. Werner slides down to here because he's not a quick-twitch pass rusher with elite closing speed. But he has room to grow as a blitzer and is sound against the run.</p>
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<p>Werner was once considered a top 5 pick, but an unimpressive Combine workout has slid his stock over the past few weeks. Still, he is a good value pick at the end of the first round. This year's DE class is deep and there should be plenty of talent available in this spot, including <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38229/datone-jones">Datone Jones</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115467/damontre-moore">Damontre Moore</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77322/alex-okafor">Alex Okafor</a>.</p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/2013/4/22/4254042/2013-nfl-mock-draft-broncosJon Benne2013-04-17T21:08:07-06:002013-04-17T21:08:07-06:00Denver looks for more defense in recent mock draft
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After finishing as a top defense across the board in 2012, Denver could add to that late in the first round. </p> <p>Heading into the second season of The Peyton Manning Experience, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> have few question marks on either side of the ball. They finished third in both rushing and passing yards allowed in 2012, and were able to score with relative ease throughout the season. Due to their success, the Broncos select late in the 2012 draft at No. 28. Most experts agree that Denver will look for help on defense, though few agree which player will provide that help.</p>
<p>ESPN's Mel Kuiper Jr. has the Broncos taking cornerback Xavier Rhodes from Florida State, <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/57265/kiper-foresees-big-afc-west-draft-trades" target="_blank">according to Bill Williamson</a>. Denver has an aging <span>Champ Bailey</span> and a newly acquired <span>Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie</span>, and could use depth at the position. Rhodes was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back. He started all but five of Florida State's games in his three seasons as a Seminole en route to being First Team All-ACC in his junior year. </p>
<p>With a look around the rest of the Mock-O-Sphere, it appears a bit of a stretch for the Broncos to get Rhodes. Most writers have the corner off the board in the first 12 picks, with some as high as No. 6. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/15/4220870/2013-nfl-mock-draft-trades-lane-johnson-darrelle-revis" target="_blank">One of those writers is SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn</a>, who agrees that Denver will stay on the defensive side of the ball with the 28th pick. But Matthew has them adding linebacker Alec Ogletree, the speedy linebacker from Georgia. Ogletree can work sideline-to-sideline, notes Fairburn, and can complement a linebacking corps that already features the ludicrous <span>Von Miller</span>. </p>
<p>Whether Rhodes slips late into the first round or not, the Broncos should continue to add depth to a defense that was among their many strengths last season. </p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2013/4/17/4237236/nfl-mock-draft-2013HammerheadT2013-04-15T11:48:39-06:002013-04-15T11:48:39-06:00Broncos take Ogletree in mock
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Most pickers seem to think the Broncos will go with a defensive player with the 28th overall pick, and middle linebacker Alec Ogletree out of Georgia could help at a spot where they're weak.</p> <p>The most recent mock draft by Dan Kadar and Matthew Fairburn at SB Nation's Mocking the Draft has the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/15/4220870/2013-nfl-mock-draft-trades-lane-johnson-darrelle-revis">Denver Broncos using their 28th pick on Alec Ogletree</a>, the talented -- if troubled -- inside linebacker out of Georgia.</p>
<p>It's not the most popular pick amongst mockers -- <a href="http://www.milehighreport.com/2013/4/13/4220448/2013-nfl-mock-draft-database-updated-4-13-13">Mile High Report did a roundup of 40 mock drafts</a>, showing that defensive end, specifically Damontre Moore, is where Denver is most likely to look -- but they acknowledged that inside linebacker is definitely a position where the Broncos need help. It seems almost guaranteed that Denver will choose to focus on their defense rather than their offense, which was elite with Peyton Manning and has since added Wes Welker, and at middle linebacker, Nate Irving and Steven Johnson aren't top-level starters. That hurts the team against the run and as Mile High Report pointed out, tight end passing patterns.</p>
<p>For those reasons, Kadar justifies Ogletree:</p>
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<p>Although he's had off-field problems, Ogletree is the kind of linebacker the Broncos need. He's fast and active. He's not as advanced of a run stopper as Manti Te'o or Kevin MInter, but can drop in coverage and move sideline to sideline with ease.</p>
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<p>Ogletree was suspended for the first four games of his junior season due to a violation of team rules, and also had a DUI in the run-up to the draft. If he can eliminate the off-the-field stuff, he's a heck of a player, managing 111 tackles -- even with the suspension -- and 11.5 tackles for loss. There aren't many linebackers as speedy, and next to Von Miller, they could create some serious havoc in the second tier of John Fox's defense.</p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2013/4/15/4227350/2013-nfl-mock-draft-denver-broncosRodger Sherman2013-04-10T17:26:53-06:002013-04-10T17:26:53-06:00Broncos take Werner in McShay's latest
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Denver made an error when they let Elvis Dumervil walk away. Will they receive the fax in time from McShay on taking the big man from Florida State?</p> <p>It will be awhile before people forget the gaffe that cost the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> the rights to <span>Elvis Dumervil</span> thanks to a faulty fax machine, but it will not be that long before they start to address their pressing need on pressuring the quarterback. They will have to address that very soon.</p>
<p>While Denver was one of the best and most complete teams in the NFL last season, they won't be as complete without Dumervil and that could be an issue. It gives the Broncos an important need heading into the draft on April 25, so which pass-rusher could fall and be the best fit for Denver in the first round?</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.milehighreport.com/2013/4/10/4203900/denver-broncos-2013-pre-draft-position-breakdown-defensive-end" target="new">Mile High Report breaks down the state of DE in Denver</a>
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<p>One possibility is Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. The 6'3, 266-pound lineman was once projected as a top-five pick, but has slid down the mock draft boards since February and that could benefit John Elway's Broncos come draft day. ESPN's Todd McShay projected Werner to Denver <a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9148812/2013-nfl-draft-todd-mcshay-first-round-mock-draft-scenarios">in his latest mock draft</a>:</p>
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<p style="border: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 17px; background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 10px; outline: invert none 0px; color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline;">Replacing <a style="border: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: invert none 0px; color: #225fb2; vertical-align: baseline;" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9712/elvis-dumervil" target="_blank">Elvis Dumervil's</a> production (11 sacks last season) with Werner makes sense. Denver allowed a league-best 36.1 Total QBR with four or fewer rushers, and 12 of Werner's 13 sacks came as part of a standard pass-rush, most among players rated in the top 100 by Scouts, Inc.</p>
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<p style="border: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 17px; background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 10px; outline: invert none 0px; color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline;">While Denver was second in total defense last year, they lost a significant portion of their pass-rush when Dumervil slid through the cracks and signed with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>. Is Werner going to be the young, high-tech answer to that problem?</p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/2013/4/10/4210758/nfl-mock-draft-2013-denver-broncos-todd-mcshay-bjoern-wernerKenneth Arthur2013-04-08T07:35:56-06:002013-04-08T07:35:56-06:00Broncos nab Moore, others in three-round mock
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<p>Denver suffered a brutal playoff defeat and now needs to reload for another Super Bowl run.</p> <p>In <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/8/4192860/2013-nfl-mock-draft-three-rounds-geno-smith-tavon-austin">SB Nation's three-round mock draft written by Matthew Fairburn</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> did well for themselves, filling a trio of needs.</p>
<p>In order, the Broncos selected defensive end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115467/damontre-moore">Damontre Moore</a> of the Texas A&M Aggies, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ucla-bruins">UCLA Bruins</a> running back Jonathan Franklin and San Diego State corner <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87329/leon-mcfadden">Leon McFadden</a>.</p>
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<p>Moore could potentially be one of the great steals in this draft should he fall to Denver at No. 28 overall. Moore was considered a top-five pick before a bad combine took the wind out of his sails. After the Broncos lost <span>Elvis Dumervil</span> because using a fax machine can apparently be hard and stuff, Denver needs a pass rusher like Moore.</p>
<p>Franklin would also be a smart addition considering running back is the one weak spot on the Broncos offense. The addition of Franklin would push <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10294/knowshon-moreno">Knowshon Moreno</a> to either shape up or ship out while giving the Broncos another option for backing up <span>Willis McGahee</span>.</p>
<p>McFadden would have the opportunity to come in and learn behind future Hall of Famer <span>Champ Bailey</span> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie</a>, who came to the Broncos on a one-year deal. McFadden could be part of the future, but he would be more long-term and probably see some special teams time.</p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2013/4/8/4196340/2013-nfl-mock-draft-denver-broncos-damontre-mooreMatt Verderame2013-04-04T06:45:30-06:002013-04-04T06:45:30-06:00Mock draft has Broncos taking a defensive tackle
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<figcaption>Liz Condo-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>A few mock drafts see the Broncos addressing other areas of need on the defense before seeking a replacement for Elvis Dumervil.</p> <p>With the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> could be seeking a player that makes the middle of their defense stronger. After pass-rusher extraordinaire <span>Elvis Dumervil</span> left for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a>, his replacement could be high on the team's draft wish list, but not on top of it, according to a couple of recent mocks.</p>
<p>Sports Illustrated's Don Banks, in his <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130403/nfl-mock-draft-4/?sct=hp_wr_a1&eref=sihp" target="_blank">mock draft 4.0 released Wednesday</a>, sees the Broncos selecting former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels">North Carolina Tar Heels</a> defensive tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134315/sylvester-williams">Sylvester Williams</a> at 28th overall.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.milehighreport.com" target="new">Broncos coverage at Mile High Report</a> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft" target="new">2013 NFL Draft coverage</a>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>Here's Banks' rationale for the pick:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Broncos' need for an Elvis Dumervil replacement still could be met in the veteran free-agent market, with <span>Dwight Freeney</span> and <span>John Abraham</span> remaining available. But Denver also must improve in the middle of its defensive line, and Williams is a powerful and at times disruptive force as a 4-3 tackle.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Williams, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/3/7/4073686/2013-nfl-draft-defensive-tackle-rankings" target="_blank">sixth-rated prospect at his position</a> by SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn, registered 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks during his senior season in 2012, showing his knack for getting into the backfield and causing problems.</p>
<p>For comparison's sake, in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/1/4168448/2013-nfl-mock-draft">Dan Kadar's latest mock</a> for SB Nation, Denver is taking former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs">Georgia Bulldogs</a> linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113383/alec-ogletree">Alec Ogletree</a>, filling another necessity up the gut of their already-staunch defense.</p>
<h4>More from SB Nation:</h4>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2013/4/2/4176854/2013-nfl-mock-draft-heres-one-with-trades?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">NFL mock draft: Two rounds -- with trades!</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/3/4178578/falcons-give?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Brian Banks, wrongfully convicted of rape, signs with Falcons</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/4/3/4178350/still-want-a-brian-urlacher-return-chicago-bears?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Do Bears fans want Brian Urlacher back?</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/3/4178086/2013-nfl-draft-quarterbacks?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">This year's NFL draft class short on QB options</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.ninersnation.com/2013/4/2/4171740/colts-mccoy-trade-49ers-why?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Why did the 49ers trade for Colt McCoy?</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/3/21/4131142/2013-nfl-mock-draft?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock</a></p>
<p>
<iframe src="https://denver.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=21879" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="21879-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2013/4/4/4182316/2013-nfl-mock-draft-denver-broncos-sylvester-williamsGriffin Gotta2013-04-01T16:08:47-06:002013-04-01T16:08:47-06:00Mock draft update: Broncos snag Ogletree
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tsud1f7MtwwdOYHT6ovzTel6eNI=/0x237:2647x2002/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10787875/20130321_jla_sz2_013.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>SB Nation's latest mock draft has the Broncos taking ILB Alec Ogletree out of Georgia.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> will be looking for pass-rushing help after the <span>Elvis Dumervil</span> fiasco. This is expected to be one of the strongest draft classes in years for front seven talent, but if Denver doesn't find what they're looking for at the 28th pick, they could go in a different direction.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.milehighchronicles.com" target="_blank">Mile High Chronicles</a>
</div>
<p>SB Nation's Dan Kadar <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/1/4168448/2013-nfl-mock-draft" target="_blank">released his latest mock draft</a> on Monday, and he has the Broncos selecting Georgia ILB <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113383/alec-ogletree" class="sbn-auto-link">Alec Ogletree</a> in the first round:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Finding a pass rusher to replace Elvis Dumervil will be difficult with the 28th pick. If there isn't a pass rusher that can play right end, the Broncos would be smart to fall back on their biggest need: middle linebacker. There is some character risk with Ogletree, but his level of talent and athleticism would be hard to pass up.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38229/datone-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Datone Jones</a> has been a popular mock pick for Denver recently, but Kadar doesn't have him going in the first round this time around. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114291/bjoern-werner" class="sbn-auto-link">Bjoern Werner</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115467/damontre-moore" class="sbn-auto-link">Damontre Moore</a> are other names that could be available at this spot.</p>
<h4>More from SB Nation:</h4>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/1/4168448/2013-nfl-mock-draft?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">NFL Mock Draft: Pushing through smoke screens</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/3/29/4161674/matt-flynn-trade-seahawks-raiders?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Matt Flynn headed to Oakland</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/3/29/4158768/nfl-gay-player-brad-childress-concussions-osi-umenyiora?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Wheel Routes: Concussions, tolerance and Chilly</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/3/27/4132512/2013-nfl-free-agency-falcons-sign-osi-umenyiora-to-year-pact?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Falcons sign "one-trick pony" Osi Umenyiora</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/3/21/4131142/2013-nfl-mock-draft?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock</a></p>
<p><iframe src="https://denver.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=21825" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="21825-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2013/4/1/4171984/nfl-mock-draft-2013-broncosJon Benne2013-03-27T21:37:23-06:002013-03-27T21:37:23-06:00NFL Mock Drafts: Broncos to target d-line?
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2p2LsvY2AYwizwPNCIdnKv02oG8=/3x0:3996x2662/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10538699/20130101_ajl_ac4_277.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Denver is widely expected to bolster its defensive front with the No. 28 pick. But with whom will they do that?</p> <p>With the 28th pick in this April's draft, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> are widely expected to bolster their defensive line. The player that will be selected, on the other hand, is a source of widespread disagreement. At CBS Sports, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft" target="_blank">five NFL analysts have the Broncos selecting five different defensive linemen</a>: defensive ends Bjoern Werner and Damontre Moore, and defensive tackles Sylvester Williams, Jonathan Hankins, and Jesse Williams. A sixth, Clark Judge, has Denver selecting a running back.</p>
<p>Werner, widely considered one of the 2013 draft's top prospects, started at Florida State for two seasons and entered the draft as a junior. He is 6'3, 265 pounds and posted solid workout numbers, but questions remain about his strength. Moore, a 6'5, 260-lb. pure pass rusher from Texas A&M, has been projected anywhere from the top 20 to the second round.</p>
<p>The three defensive tackles mentioned in connection with Denver are all space-eating run-stuffers in excess of 310 pounds. All three have been projected in the late first round and mentioned by 3-4 scheme defenses, but could easily slot into Denver's 4-3 defense should they be available at pick no. 28.</p>
<p>Judge has Denver taking Alabama's Eddie Lacy, the first halfback off the draft board. The 5'11, 231-lb. Lacy certainly has the build and track record to be an every-down back in the NFL, but would likely be the only halfback selected in the first round if chosen.</p>
<p><b> Visit <a href="http://www.milehighreport.com/">Mile High Report</a> for more.</b></p>
<h4>More from SB Nation:</h4>
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<p>• <a href="http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2013/3/27/4150608/dez-bryant-going-for-2000-yard-season-dallas-cowboys?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Dez Bryant eyes 2,000-yard season (seriously)</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2013/3/26/4151752/oakland-raiders-cut-tommy-kelly-free-agency?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Raiders cut their $50 million man</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/3/25/4143254/2013-nfl-mock-draft?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">NFL mock draft: Finally, some clarity</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2013/3/27/4152096/buffalo-bills-quarterback-tarvaris-jackson-matt-flynn?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">What are the Bills looking for in a QB?</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/3/21/4131142/2013-nfl-mock-draft?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock</a></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2013/3/27/4155436/nfl-mock-draft-2013Patrick Vint