2013 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos Day Three Draft Grade

Quanterus Smith (93) rushes against Florida International Golden Panthers offensive tackle Rupert Bryan Jr. (54) in the second half at FIU Stadium. Western Kentucky defeated FIU 14-6. (Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports)

The Denver Broncos were by far most active on day three of the 2013 NFL draft.

To kick things off, the Broncos traded their fourth round pick (125 overall) to the Green Bay Packers for the 146th pick in the fifth round and the 173rd pick in the sixth round.

With their first pick of day three, the team selected defensive end Quanterus Smith out of Western Kentucky. He’s a quarterback hungry 6-5, 250-pound  machine who led the nation in sacks before he tore his ACL in late November. He ended his career with 24 sacks.

“I’ll be ready to go by training camp,” Smith said Saturday afternoon. “I’m going through the rehab process right now. I feel real good on it, confident on it, so I’m excited and I’ll be ready for training camp.”

To further fill the void that Elvis Dumervil left with his departure, the Broncos signed former Chargers sack-man Shaun Phillips, 32, to a one-year deal. Phillips had 9.5 sacks last year with the Bolts. Even though the Broncos were knee-deep in draft activity, Phillips visited with the Broncos on Friday.

Phillips is a 10-year player with 499 tackles, 69.5 sacks, six interceptions, 20 forced fumbles, and 10 fumble recoveries. His first Pro Bowl season game in 2010 when he had 11 sacks for the Chargers.

Constantly a headache for the Broncos, it will be good to have him on our side, creating havoc and headaches for Philip Rivers.

Shaun Phillips (95) runs out of the smoke during pregame introduction before a game against the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium. (Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports)

Getting back to the day three moves, the Broncos took wide receiver Tavarres King out of Georgia with the 161st pick overall. King doesn’t have Thomas or Decker-like size, but his quickness off the line does make him a good vertical threat. His weakness is said to be dropped passes. Surely working with Peyton Manning and against Champ Bailey every day in practice, this is a guy that can really benefit from that kind of leadership. In his time with the Bulldogs, King averaged 19.1 yards off of 136 receptions.

For their sixth-round pick, the Broncos signed their backup tackle in 6-4, 306-pound Vinston Painter. Painter hails from Virgina Tech. When asked where he feels more comfortable on the line, Painter had this to say:

“I see myself being more of a tackle (vs. guard) in the NFL. I feel more comfortable out there in space. I feel like that’s a more natural position…If put in immediately I’d say right tackle, but I have played both sides so I’m pretty comfortable with each. This season coming up I’d say right tackle.”

To round out the 2013 NFL draft, the Broncos picked quarterback Zac Dysert out of Miami of Ohio with the 234th pick. John Elway has to believe that Dysert will be more than just a third stringer eventually. Dysert was the 10th QB to hear his name called in the 2013 draft.

Dysert threw for 3,483 yards (62.9 completion percentage), 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his senior season. Since his first year when he threw 12 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, he’s come quite a long way.

Check out Dysert’s highlight reel.

Alright, now it’s time to grade the Broncos for their day three draft moves. Feel free to include the Phillips acquisition in your grade.

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