We're less than two weeks away from the NFL draft, which means we're getting deeper and deeper into more SB Nation 2011 NFL mock drafts. There isn't much surprise at the top, as the Denver Broncos select Marcell Dareus with the No. 2 overall pick. The Alabama defensive tackle, as Brian Galliford writes, "represents a convergence of safe pick, need pick and talent pick all in one." At this point in the draft process, it seems unlikely the Broncos would go in a different direction. But John Elway, John Fox and Brian Xanders will still keep their cards hidden until the last moment.
The more interesting selections come in the NFL mock draft round 2 selections. The Broncos have the fourth pick of the second round and Oregon State Beavers defensive tackle Stephen Paea is the selection here. This does make sense since the Broncos need more than just one new force in the middle of their defensive line. According to Mocking The Draft, Paea can hold the line and penetrate the backfield consistently.
The Broncos also have pick No. 46 as a result of the 2010 Brandon Marshall trade. North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Bruce Carter comes off the board then. With the team moving back to a 4-3 defensive front, the linebackers will take on different roles. D.J. Williams remains, but Robert Ayers is returning to the defensive line and Mario Haggan is decent. Carter is athletic to fit into the new defense, but he had to have reconstructive surgery on his ACL, which he tore in December. He's an injury risk, but it's one the Broncos could take.
The NFL draft gets underway on April 28.