The Denver Broncos can now go straight into 2012 NFL Draft evaluations. For all those people who want John Elway, John Fox and Brian Xanders to draft defensive players exclusively in the upcoming event, that wouldn't be the team's way. The Broncos showed in 2011 that they will stick with the board set up before the draft and select the best player available. So, we turn to Mile High Report's first mock draft of the season, which has the Broncos drafting RB Lamar Miller from the Miami Hurricanes.
Related: Updated 2012 NFL Draft Order
Miller has been popular pick of late for the Broncos. The team has Willis McGahee, but he is turning 31 in 2012 and not getting any younger. Miller would be able to shift the load away from McGahee, who was originally thought to be the goal-line and third-down back when he signed. Lance Ball and Jeremiah Johnson, while OK this season, wouldn't see as much playing time as they had last season.
Other selections include tight end Orson Charles and cornerback Josh Robinson, but the most intriguing pick comes in the fourth round with quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson, a former Colorado Rockies draft pick, was extremely productive in his one year with the Wisconsin Badgers, throwing for 3,175 yards and 33 touchdowns to four interceptions. He completed 72.8 percent of his passes. As MHR notes, Wilson is knocked because of his height, which should result in him being a middle-rounds draft pick. He would certainly be a solid addition as a backup to Tim Tebow.
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