Could the Denver Broncos throw a curveball in the 2012 NFL Draft and take a player that isn't on the defensive line or a skill player off the line on either side of the ball? Ryan Van Bibber's latest SB Nation 2012 NFL mock draft does just that with the Broncos' No. 25 overall pick. The Broncos select Wisconsin Badgers center Peter Konz.
Related: Updated 2012 NFL Draft Order
Van Bibber writes that the Broncos need to get Tim Tebow a new center, protecting him from the onslaught of opposing defensive linemen. The New England Patriots showed how this could happen in its playoff victory over the Broncos. Second-year center J.D. Walton hasn't been able to fill in the shoes of former center Tom Nalen quite that well, but he did improve from his rookie season to his sophomore year. Still, Konz would certainly be an upgrade at center.
However, we could also see the Broncos go a different route in this scenario. Safety Mark Barron goes two picks later, and defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Jerel Worthy are both take toward the end of the first round.
If Konz is ranked higher than some of those names just mentioned, there's no reason to doubt that John Fox and John Elway will sway from their board. They will take the best player available, regardless of position. And in this mock draft, we certainly get something better than the stale selections we've had in recent weeks.
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