ESPN's Mel Kiper projects the Denver Broncos to select LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers with the No. 25 overall pick in his latest mock draft. With the acquisition of Peyton Manning giving Denver new life on offense, it seems likely that defense will be the team's focus early in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The LSU defense in 2011 was the kind of unit that makes you rewind the tape a lot. So many guys made so many plays, you have to go back and look at where it started. In many instances, it was with the disruptive Brockers, who can create havoc from the inside, blowing up the run and penetrating against the pass. Denver needs to strengthen the inside to complement a solid group of pass-rushers.
Kiper also projected the second round of the upcoming draft in his latest mock. He sees the Broncos taking Oregon running back LaMichael James with the No. 57 overall pick in the draft, citing his receiving skills out of the backfield as a good fit for a Manning-led offense.
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.