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Predominantly Orange Staff Roundtable: First-Round Pick Possibilities

By Kyle Sumner McKinnon

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Brace for impact, everyone. The NFL draft is nearly upon us.

All you’ll here for the next 24 hours are the opinions of analysts and “experts” and who they think will get drafted, where those players will get drafted to, and when.

The Denver Broncos have been one of the toughest cookies to crack in regards to this year’s draft. With a plethora of possibilities, there’s no such thing as a farfetched prediction for what the Broncos are to do with their first-round pick.

That being said, some of us got together here at Predominantly Orange to share our thoughts and ideas on what the Broncos might do with their 28th selection in the first round.

Read on as we try and solve Denver’s Da Vinci Code of a draft mystery.

Ty Walden: I think the Broncos will trade up in the draft. The most likely team is the Philadelphia Eagles. Since they have the 20th pick, I believe a deal wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. And with the Eagles’ pick I say the Broncos draft T.J. Clemmings from Pittsburgh University.

Gabe Harris: I know it’s not exciting, but I don’t see the Broncos moving off the 28th pick. It would cost too much, in my opinion, to move up, and we have too many picks as is to drop back and stockpile even more picks.

To make it even less exciting, I think we stand pat and draft the best offensive lineman. Personally, I’m hoping for Cameron Erving from FSU. He is extremely versatile, being able to play just about any position on the O-line, and has Pro Bowl upside at center.

I have a sneaking suspicion Elway is going to draft another quarterback later and there’s no better way to transition to a young QB than to have a great line for him to play behind. I think Elway knows that as well as anybody with the lines he had for his Super Bowl wins.

Dan Armelli: TRADE EVERYTHING FOR VIC BEASLEY.

But really, Elway’s been pretty solid throughout the years of keeping all of us guessing. The last thing I expect him to do is to trade up, but who knows.

My opinion might change within a few days, but I have my sights set on OT D.J. Humphries from Florida right now. Regardless of what some fans think, there are holes on this team and there are big ones on the offensive line. Right tackle was a disaster last year. Taking Humphries would not only fill a need but he’s a really good player as well. Humphries has a good combo of toughness and mobility that I think will allow him to be a great fit for the Broncos zone-blocking scheme. He has some technique issues that he needs to clean up, but his leverage is something that I love in his game. Even if he doesn’t work out at tackle (he’s relatively light with short arms) I do think he could survive as a guard.

Sayre Bedinger: Get the best big man available. The Broncos could go OL or DL with this pick and I would be fine with it. I have my favorites, like everyone else — Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Malcom Brown, T.J. Clemmings, D.J. Humphries — but other guys wouldn’t surprise me or upset me.

The Broncos could go for a guy like Jordan Phillips of Oklahoma and I would understand it and get excited about it, but it wouldn’t be the most thrilling selection.

Whatever the case, I hope the Broncos get someone who weighs at or near 300 pounds.

Dan Armelli: I’d also love Eric Kendricks from UCLA. I have a tendency to fall in love with smaller linebackers that are tackling machines. It was Arthur Brown in 2013, Chris Borland last year, and now it’s Kendricks. If Danny Trevathan continues to get hurt, Kendricks is a guy that should be able to fill in tremendously and be a great player.

Ty Walden: A guy that I’m starting to like that could be a sleeper in the first round is Jake Fisher from Oregon. He’s very versatile and can play just about any position on the OL. If I could go defense, it would be either Jordan Phillips or Owamagbe Odighizuwa.

Interesting predictions, no?

As for myself, I’ve got to say that I truly think that the Broncos will stick with their current pick in the first round.

John Elway hasn’t traded up yet while he’s been at the helm and I don’t believe he’ll start now, so Denver will stay put. My prediction is for the Broncos to select Cameron Erving. He’s the safest bet that Elway has of stealing a future All-Pro with such a late first-round pick.

While at Florida State, Erving excelled at both center and tackle, earning All-American nods at both positions. That versatility, coupled with his superior athleticism have many believing that he might not even be available by the time the Broncos are finally on the clock. Still, he fits Denver’s newly installed zone-blocking scheme like a glove and would be worth trading up for, if need be.

What do you think of PO’s predictions? Sound off in the comments section if you agree or disagree with any us, and be to also let us know what you think the Broncos will do in the first round!

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