Denver Broncos Draft Needs for 2009

The Denver Broncos are in a state of flux. After missing the playoffs for the third straight year and going 24-24 over that span, Mike Shannahan was released as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. What areas are the Broncos going to look for to improve? Will the new coach focus on moving up and drafting a couple of key players or stockpile the draft picks and get more depth? While there are a lot of areas that the Broncos could focus on, we will look at some of the key areas that they need to improve on if they want to compete for a title in 2009.

2008 Stats

It is clear what the Broncos need to work on: Defense. In 2009, the Denver Broncos ranked 29th in yards given up per game, 30th in points scored, 26th in number of sacks and 31st in number of interceptions according to the official stats by the NFL. At the same time, the Denver Broncos were 2nd in yards gained on offense, have a Pro-Bowl QB in Jay Cutler, two all-star WR's in Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal and one of the best offensive lines in football that gave up the fewest number of sacks in the league. While some people have argued that they need to work on their running game, the Denver Broncos running game was actually fairly effective, as they were the 12th ranked team in yards per game. They did this while putting 7 running backs on injured reserve and finding running backs off the street. While Denver needs to work on fiinishing drives (they were the 16th ranked team in points scored even after being the 2nd highest yards per game) and not turning the ball over so much (Cutler threw 18 ints and they Broncos lost 12 fumbles) it is their defense that needs work.

Key Positions to focus on in the Draft

1. Safety

The Broncos went through 7 starting safeties this past season and never found an impact player in any of them. Denver has a history of great safeties (think Steve Atwater, Billy Thompson, etc.) and it has been a huge disappointment watching the safeties drop in impact in Denver. If USC's Taylor Mays opts for the draft and is available at the Broncos spot at number 12, they need to pick him up. Adding an impact player in the secondary will help the Denver Broncos with stopping the run and intercepting the ball.

2. Defensive Line

While the Broncos draft class of 2006 and 2008 have been big winners, their 2007 draft class looks like a bust. Denver drafted 3 defensive lineman all who appear to be on their last legs in Denver. Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder have spent time on the inactive lists and when they are playing it has been in a minimal role. While Marcus Thomas, their 4th round pick, has been decent, he is not a difference maker on the defensive line. This needs to change in the draft. I will note however that if Albert Haynesworth is available and gets signed by the Broncos, this need will be diminished somewhat. However, if there is a good DT available, like Fili Moala from USC, they should take him, because only having 26 sacks and not putting pressure on the QB is no way to win in the NFL.

3. Linebacking Core

Since the injury and retirement of Al Wilson, the Broncos' once-dominating linebacking core of Ian Gold, Al Wilson and D.J. Williams has been diminished to a group of underachievers. While Wesley Woodyard looks to be an undersized but play-making star and D.J. Williams is a force on the outside, they need an impact player for middle linebacker. While I doubt that the top prospects at this position will be available after the first round, there is good depth at the position that the Broncos could pick up someone that can be an improvement on what they have now.

4. Cornerback

Denver supposedly has the top CB tandum in the league... if that were the case, the Broncos should have ranked higher than 32nd in turn-over differential, 26th in passing defense and 31st in interceptions. Dre Bly is getting old and slower and Champ Bailey needs more help. Their nickle backs continually get burned and replaced by another nickle back who will then get burned. While Bailey is a star at CB, he is 31 and had his first major injury, missing 7 games this past season. Are his best years behind him? Sometimes it takes a year or two for a CB to develop into a great CB, so if the Broncos drafted someone in the later rounds to work under Bailey and learn from him, then they can be ready to go when Bailey starts slowing down or at the least work across from him.

Summary

While some would argue that Denver needs a running back, I don't see that as a pressing need. Ryan Torain looked great when he was healthy as did Peyton Hillis. 2008 was a freak year for the Broncos running backs and they should be back to form next year. The Broncos need to focus on defense. If they can get a defensive class that can match their offensive gains from '06 and '08, they will be a force to be reckoned with over the next several years.

National Football League; "NFL Stats: Team"; NFL.com