2013 NFL Mock Draft: Fansided, National Football Post Talk Bjoern Werner as Broncos’ First Pick

Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Bjoern Werner runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY) Sports

The editors and writers at Fansided.com put their GM hats on and did a Mock Draft for National Football Post. Once the picks were made, NFP draft expert, Russ Lande, provided some additional analysis on each pick.

With the Denver Broncos’ No. 28 pick, PO’s very own Sayre Bedinger went with Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. Sayre said,

"The Broncos have a hole to fill with Elvis Dumervil leaving for Baltimore. Of course, Robert Ayers is expected to step up into Dumervil’s vacant spot, but outside of Von Miller, the Broncos no longer have a proven pass rusher on the roster. I think Werner signifies excellent value (No. 5 on my big board) and has terrific upside at this juncture. He’s more proven than Tank Carradine, which is why he gets the nod here."

Lande says that Werner is underrated athletically. Find out what else Lande had to say about the pick.

With much respect to Sayre’s pick, I would still take Cornellius “Tank” Carradine over Werner (Carradine is also out of Florida State). Carradine has the bigger tackle numbers, but overall Werner is more ready to play at the pro level than Carradine. He prevented more plays from happening than, he’s quicker and faster, and his more versatile, as he can be used in coverage. Carradine is also coming off of an ACL repair in November so health and durability are an issue here (He relocated himself to Houston to work with Adrian Peterson’s physical therapist). So why Carradine over Werner you ask?

Carradine has the bigger potential. It’s doubtful that Werner will ever be an all-pro. He’s closer to being a finished product, which will suit some teams just fine. Carradine has the tools to jump into being a great pass rusher. The Broncos won’t be dead in the water if he can’t contribute right away on the pass rushing side of things since they have Von Miller. Carradine can come in and stop the run immediately. The same couldn’t be said for Dumervil in that regard.

Either way, I don’t think we can fully rely on former first rounder Robert Ayers, so look for the Broncos to draft a defensive end early so that Ayers has some top notch competition in camp.

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