It’s known as Christmas in April. The NFL draft is the biggest thing since the Super Bowl, the impetus for change for many teams, and the stepping stone for yet another pigskin season set to kick off officially in September.

PO is live from New York covering the 2012 NFL draft. I walked by Radio City Music Hall last night and fans were already camped out waiting to get into the venue. There were a few Broncos jerseys, but many more Browns jerseys (read: “Hey, this is the year we turn it around!”).

The Broncos pick at No. 25 tonight which should be around 8:00 p.m. MST.

“Because of where we’re picking and you don’t know how the board will fall, we won’t know who we’re picking until an hour before our pick. Not an hour before the draft, an hour before we pick.” – John Elway (Denver Post)

Day one of the draft covers just the first round.

Many believe (including myself) that the Broncos should and will take a defensive tackle with their first pick. Here’s a quick breakdown of some favorites.

Michael Brockers – LSU – 6’6,” 322 lbs., 40 time – 5.36

Touted as the best DT in the draft, Brockers will likely go well before the Broncos are up to pick. He’s strong and explosive, and uses leverage well. The downside is he occasionally loses track of the ball.

Fletcher Cox – Mississippi State – 6’4,” 298 lbs., 40 time – 4.79

He’s very good at locating the ball and making the drag-down tackle. Also has good lateral agility. His pass rushing technique still needs work.

Devon Still – Penn State – 6’5,” 303 lbs., 40 time – 5.08

Fast off the snap and has great vision to take down backs running through the tackles. Strong, but needs work knocking back opponents with his hands.

Jerel Worthy – Michigan State – 6’2,” 308 lbs., 40 time – 5.08

Quick hands and feet makes Worthy a guy who is constantly in quarterbacks’ hair. Not a lot of sacks and number of tackles is average, but makes a difference off the stat sheet.

Keep it dialed in here all day as we bring you draft day coverage and welcome the newest Denver Bronco, whomever that may be.

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John Elway needs to put together another quality draft class to help Peyton Manning win a Super Bowl in Denver. (Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

Now that things have quieted down around Dove Valley, The Denver Broncos have shifted their focus to the 2012 NF Draft.

Denver has already made dramatic changes to their starting lineup by bringing in 6 new players via free agency who will see significant playing time next season. The changes will continue in a few weeks when the Broncos draft a horde of young talent who will hopefully fill the remaining holes on the roster and add much needed depth.

Let’s take a look at where the Broncos stand at each position right now and how they might address those positions in the draft:

• Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past few weeks I don’t need to spend much time talking about the quarterback position. However, the signing of back-up Caleb Hanie has been the source of some angst among the fans recently. At this point I’m not even sure Hanie is going to make the team, so I didn’t read too much into his signing. There is no doubt that Denver will take a quarterback at some point during the draft. That quarterback, along with Adam Weber and Hanie, will compete for the backup position and one of those 3 players won’t make the 53-man roster.
• Willis McGahee is still the man at running back going into 2012. Although his age and the fact he wore down as the 2011 season went along means Denver is going to need a solid #2 to help carry the load. Knowshon Moreno is expected to return from injury and compete for that job, but almost everyone is running out of patience with him. It is a near guarantee that Denver will pick a running back in a few weeks, and I would bet it will happen very early in the draft. Some targets for the Broncos are Doug Martin, Boise State; Lamar Miller, Miami; Lamichael James, Oregon; and David Wilson, Virginia Tech.
• At wide receiver and tight end, the free agent additions of Andre Caldwell, Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen have filled the voids at those positions. The Broncos feel very good with the trio of Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Caldwell at receiver and they believe they will excel with Peyton Manning behind center. I tend to agree with that line of thinking. I’m not expecting anyone to get drafted at these positions, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see them add someone late to compete in camp and add some depth.
• The offensive line will look very similar in 2012 as it did in 2011. I feel like Denver has a great pair of tackles in Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin that will anchor the line for years to come. It is important that Manning has talented guys who can protect him on the edge and these two fit that bill. Where I have some concern is right up the middle (this concern exists on both sides of the ball). Look for Denver to draft at least one interior offensive lineman at some point. At the very least they need to bring in a quality backup.
• The front 7 of the defense is where this team needs the most work, and so far this offseason they have lost impact players from this group rather than add them. They did re-sign middle linebacker Joe Mays, but losing Brodrick Bunkley at defensive tackle was a big loss. As of right now, no one really knows who will start at tackle next season. That is not good. I am hoping Ty Warren can return from his injury and assume one of those starting jobs, but there is no mistaking the fact that defensive tackle is the biggest hole on the entire Broncos’ roster. Denver subscribes to the strategy of drafting “the best available player at all times regardless of position”, but they should go defensive tackle with their first pick of the draft. Luckily, this draft is loaded with quality interior defensive linemen. If there was ever a year to be in the market for a tackle, this is it.  In no particular order, the best tackles available are Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State; Michael Brockers, LSU; Dontari Poe, Memphis; Jerel Worthy, Michigan State; Kendall Reyes, UConn; Devon Still, Penn State; and Brandon Thompson, Clemson. I expect that the Broncos will draft one of these players with the 25th pick, and by the end of the draft I will be surprised if they haven’t added at least a couple D-linemen.
• Denver has added a few quality names to their defensive backfield during the free agency period. Safety Mike Adams and cornerback Tracy Porter will help bolster a group that was exposed at times last season. I love the signing of Porter. With Champ Bailey on the other side of the field the Broncos now have a fearsome duo at cornerback. Although Denver does have some talented youth in their backfield with Chris Harris and Quinton Carter, there is no doubt that this is an aging group overall, and the possible loss of Brian Dawkins means they will be missing some valuable experience and leadership. I would like to see the Broncos use multiple draft picks on this group to provide some depth and increase the competition. I would also like to see them extend Porter’s 1-year contract if he plays well early in the 2012 campaign.
• As far as special teams go, Denver will be returning all of their specialists this season and don’t need to address it in the draft. Matt Prater and Britton Colquitt were 2 of the top performers in the league a year ago and they will have a big impact going forward.
• At the end of the draft, I would like to be able to report that the Broncos used most of their picks on the defensive side of the ball and sprinkled in a few offensive selections at quarterback, running back and/or offensive line. The Denver defense needs to take the next step and move into the top half of the league rankings, and a strong showing in this draft can help them do just that.
• In the big picture, the Broncos hopefully have as many as 4 seasons with Peyton Manning at quarterback. Every draft class is important for every team, but this draft is more important to Denver than most. The players brought in this year will be integral if the Broncos are to make a serious Super Bowl run in the next couple of seasons. So set your DVR’s and grab some popcorn; this year’s draft is must see TV for all Denver fans. Go Broncos!

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will probably be introducing another defensive standout like Von Miller at the 2012 Draft (Jerry Lai - US PRESSWIRE)

1. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Andrew Luck: “Hey Peyton, any advice on being the quarterback for the Colts?”
Peyton Manning: “Stay off Jim Irsay’s Twitter timeline.  He has the discretion of a 14-year old.”

2. St. Louis Rams
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
I will be 1-1 after the first pick and 1-2 after the second.  This pick is too valuable not to trade to the highest Robert Griffin III suitor.  That being said, I can’t see the Rams taking Griffin if the price isn’t right.  And while Matt Kalil is probably the best available right here, St. Louis is in desperate need of an offensive identity that could be found in Blackmon.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil, OT, USC
A 6’7″, 295 pounds left tackle that can run a sub-5.00 40-yard dash protecting the blindside of your young quarterback?  A must.  If we only learned one thing from The Blindside (other than the fact that for the first time since Speed, Sandra Bullock’s agent could select a part she could play UP to), it’s that left tackle is the most important position in football.

4. Cleveland Browns
Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
With all the talk of a trade to get him, I can also see a scenario where Cleveland doesn’t give up anything to get Griffin.  If the Rams don’t get the farm for their number two pick, why trade it?  They won’t take Griffin and neither will the Vikings.  What a great way to lull the Cleveland sports nation into thinking that a championship is close again!  In all seriousness, selecting Griffin gives the Browns a higher likelihood of calling that moment in April, The Pick or The Trade rather than The Bust.  I sort of feel like the city of Cleveland has earned one…sort of.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
First round running backs always seem to be home runs (Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson) or total disappointments (Ron Dayne, Ki-Jana Carter, Rashan Salaam).  Last year, New Orleans auctioned off this year’s first-round pick to get Mark Ingram.  He did not have much impact in his first year in the league.  There just isn’t a whole lot of grey area for a performance player bought at such a high price.  It goes without saying though that if Richardson is the home run, Tampa Bay makes a great pick here.

6. Washington Redskins
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
This all depends on what happens during free agency and with draft day trades.  Taking Tannehill is a total reach until you remember the Redskins’ logic at the moment.  The Redskins are coached by Mike Shanahan.  Mike Shanahan is trying to prove he’s still a mastermind.  The Mastermind loves HIS quarterbacks.  The Mastermind doesn’t have great quarterbacks.  Therefore, The Mastermind does whatever it takes to get HIS quarterback and liberate Maryland from its tribulations.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Cornerback might not be the Jaguars biggest need.  Then again, they have needs all over the field and Claiborne falling to them at the seventh pick would be a huge boost for their fairly solid defense.

8. Carolina Panthers
Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
I’m sure many Panthers/Cam Newton fans would eye a wide receiver here but with Blackmon off the board by now, the Panthers could really benefit from a game changing defensive end since it was the defense that was the undoing of the Panthers’ rebound season.

9. Miami Dolphins
Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
A line anchored by Jake Long and Riley Reiff would be appealing to any quarterback whether his name is Moore or Manning…

10. Buffalo Bills
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
With Buffalo transitioning to a 4-3, Coples is an excellent choice because he can play in both schemes and because of the pairing with last year’s first-round pick, Marcell Dareus.

11. Kansas City Chiefs
Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Versatile and big enough to play anywhere on the line.  Kansas City should be thrilled if Brockers fell into their laps at number eleven.

12. Seattle Seahawks
Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
Adding another playmaking linebacker to a solid unit would be a huge boost for this defense.  Unfortunately for Seattle (QB, WR), their biggest needs aren’t going to get met at the draft without reaching.

13. Arizona Cardinals
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
However the Cardinals’ quarterback carousel plays out, the offensive line needs help.  DeCastro isn’t the best take at this point overall, but he is surrounded by players who are in positions the Cardinals have covered.

14. Dallas Cowboys
Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Things Jerry Jones loves: speed, excessive stadiums.  Things Jerry Jones isn’t afraid of: off-the-field issues, drama.  The Cowboys were abysmal in the secondary as the season progresses.  Jenkins gives them a change to greatly improve if his headlines stay covering his play.

15. Philadelphia Eagles
Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Last year, the Eagles were ridiculously talented at cornerback (Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) but didn’t live up to the expectations.  A top safety could give their corners the confidence to press more aggressively.

16. New York Jets
Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
We’ve heard the legend of Poe from the combine: 346 pounds and he can run the 40-yard dash in 4.98 and finish the day with 44 bench press repetitions.  If Poe is more than just a combine dog and pony show, he has the chance to be something special for whoever drafts him.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Wait, wait, wait!  So Hue Jackson acquires Carson Palmer from the Bengals for the Raiders’ 2012 first-round draft pick that will probably be used to draft Kirkpatrick, who will be coached by new secondary coach Hue Jackson since he was fired from the Raiders probably as a result of the trade itself?!?  This is too good!

18. San Diego Chargers
Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
The Chargers’ line was a total patch-work process last year.  With Chris Dielman making his retirement official, a great place to start rebuilding is with a big, versatile prospect like Glenn.

19. Chicago Bears
Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame
The Bears were hurting at wide receiver before the devastating injury Johnny Knox.  With his status still in flux, expect the Bears to make receiver a top priority.

20. Tennessee Titans
Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Cox is the best all-around defensive tackle product in a draft that is deep with them.  While he didn’t but up the freakish numbers at the combine like Poe, he is explosive enough to make an impact right away.

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
Another reach, but not far fetched.  The Bengal’s running attack is aging and taking pressure off a young quarterback with a solid run game would be huge for the Bengals.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Perhaps call it The Draft instead of The Pick?  Cleveland’s offense has been lacking for a long time now. Why not infuse some energy and give your new quarterback (Griffin) a target he’s already got a rapport with?

23. Detroit Lions
Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE, Alabama
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairly.  Add Upshaw as a defensive end/linebacker hybrid and suddenly Detroit has a terrifying defensive front.  Apologies to Jay Cutler.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Pittsburgh was another team who played much of 2011 with a patchwork offensive line.  Adams would provide another young, huge prospect to help shore up a weakness of the Steelers.

25. Denver Broncos
Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
The Broncos’ Achilles’ Heel for the past few years has been defensive tackle.  Denver could also use help at cornerback, but the depth at tackle is too good to pass up this year.  Devon Still would be another option, but both players have similar strengths and weaknesses, while Worthy appears a bit less injury prone.

26. Houston Texans
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Konz can play either center or guard.  He will benefit from Houston’s strong running offense.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
The Patriots are in desperate need of upgrade on defense.  Not many teams can sustain a dependence on offense alone, yet the Patriots have seemed to do just that for a few years now.  Imagine how good they could be by adding a couple of key pieces to the defense in this draft.

28. Green Bay Packers
Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
Despite looking unstoppable most of the year, Green Bay finished ranked 27th in run defense and in sacks.  Like the Patriots, the offense is good to go, the defense needs some work.

29. Baltimore Ravens
Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
The Ravens aren’t getting any younger on defense, and while it’s the offense that needs the most work, if the level of play on defense falls off, Joe Flacco and company won’t have the luxury of being just okay.

30. San Francisco 49ers
Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina
Jeffrey’s stock has fallen off since his last college game, but the 49ers really need a possession receiver for Alex Smith if they are going to make strides as a football club.  Some reaches can be justified with need.

31. New England Patriots
David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
The Patriots need defense, but shoring up a running game to take some of the load off Tom Brady just a bit has to be appealing for Bill Belichick…even though the running back position for New England is more of a formality.

32. New York Giants
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
This is not the Giants’ biggest need, but if Martin is available he’ll be the best player on the board…and you know how the Giants feel about taking the best player available.

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