2013 NFL RB Draft Prospects- Denver Broncos
With the 2013 NFL Draft quickly approaching NFL teams are now getting ready to draft the future of their franchises. The Denver Broncos are coming off of one of their best seasons in franchise history after finishing number one in the AFC, just to get knocked off in the second round of the playoffs by the Super Bowl Champions Baltimore Ravens.
Many people wonder what John Elway and company are looking to do in this years NFL Draft. If history repeats itself then the Broncos will most likely draft players that were invited to the NFL combine which is currently going on in Indianapolis as we speak. The last 34 out of 35 draft picks of the Denver Broncos have been players that worked out previously at the NFL combine. Many "experts" and local Denver media is predicting that the Broncos with the 28th overall pick in the 2013 draft will focus on a number of areas ranging from defensive tackle, offensive line, to hopefully finding Champ Baileys predecessor in a corner back. Their have been few previous drafts where I would say that I'm baffled to what the Broncos might do come the first round, but I will say this. The Denver Broncos will be focusing on trying to find a running back in this years 2013 NFL Draft. Lets take a look at some prospects that John Elway and John Fox might want to add the the Broncos roster come this April.
EDDIE LACY- It's safe to say that Eddie Lacy might be the most known running back in this years draft. Coming off of back to back National Championships with the historic college dynasty Alabama the last two years, Eddie Lacy was a big part of that championship offense. The experts are predicting Lacy to go early in the second round. If I were to play John Fox and John Elway for a minute, I would reach late in the first round and use Denver's first pick on Eddie Lacy. A lot of people would say that this years draft is deep with explosive big play running backs and that teams can find similar value to Lacy in the later rounds.
My argument for Lacy is simple. He played against the best competition in college football week in, week out, in the SEC. Lacy is accustomed to playing under the big lights on the big stage and comes from one of the most winning football programs in college history. I don't think that the NFL stage would be to "big" for a player like him. Not only that he is a bigger back with explosive play making ability. It's rare to find a running back with his size (220 pounds) and with his ability to run in the open field. He also runs tough. He has no problem running north and south and between the tackles. If Denver were to draft a RB like Eddie Lacy, I think the one-two punch between him and Ronnie Hillman could be a deadly change of pace against opposing defenses. Plus, the primary focal point in Denver is still to protect their 96 million dollar investment in Peyton Manning. Last I checked Lacy was one hell of a pass blocker as well. Might I add he also blocked and played against future first and second round defensive players week in and week out. Eddie Lacy would contribute and make an impact to this Super Bowl favored Broncos team right away.
The 220-pound Lacy rushed for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns at Alabama this past season and has been projected as a first-round selection in the most recent mock drafts by ESPN NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.
The 220-pound Lacy rushed for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns at Alabama this past season and has been projected as a first-round selection in the most recent mock drafts by ESPN NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.
MONTEE BALL- The theme for Denver in this years draft is to find a bigger running back that can not only run, but pass block with a impressive collegiate football resume. With that being said, Montee Ball might be the perfect fit for Denver if that's the case. Montee Ball finished his college career with over 5,000 yards rushing and 83 touchdowns. No doubt that Ball can produce offensively and has big time play making ability. The question is would Denver be the right for him? Could he produce in a Manning run offense? The other concern is did Montee Ball carry the load to much during his time at Wisconsin? Ball suffered two concussions the last two years and touched the ball over 1,000 times in college. That's a lot of ware and tare on a running back, especially if he hasn't taken a snap in the NFL just yet. A good colleague and friend of mine Glenn Kurpiel (Founder of the 5280 Ethos Sports Blog,) who is a Wisconsin native says Ball is a great back that just isn't right the Denver Broncos.If Denver were to draft Montee Ball I wouldn't expect Denver to get him before pick 58. I can see a scenario where once again John Elway and John Fox try and accumulate more draft picks by trading out of there 28th spot in the first round. If that is true, that might leave room for Denver to make a move to draft a player like Ball sometime in the third round. I don't see Denver making a stretch for him anytime before round three. Risk and reward run hand in hand. And Denver is notorious for reaching in past NFL drafts, don't expect John Elway and Fox to allow history to repeat itself. I think Montee Ball becomes a Bronco only if he falls to Denver on their draft board in the later to mid rounds.
LE'VEON BELL- Reports came out last week that the Broncos had a private workout with Michigan State running back Le'veon Bell. Some NFL experts have compared Bells game to current NFL running back Brandon Jacobs. Although, I think that Bell is more athletic then Jacobs, with a better attitude, you can see the similarities in size comparison. Bell is a big back standing at 6'2, weighing in at 237 pounds. He had an outstanding junior year at Michigan State, rushing for nearly 1,800 yards, and 33 touchdowns.Again, a concern of mine, is he took a big workload in college. His junior year he carried the ball 382 times alone. Yes, it shows that Bell is capable of taking on a big load of carries, but also shows, similar to Montee Ball, that he might already have some ware and tare before he even gets to the NFL. Bell is a great interior runner and has the athletic ability to make defenders miss when he hits the open field. Reports have it that Bell is trying to lose 10 pounds to add some more speed to the strength he already has. All in all, if Denver were to draft Le'veon Bell I think he could be an impact player very early on. I don't think he would be a week one starter but down the stretch of his rookie season he could take the starting role. If Bell is their in the third round I say no question that you take him. You might even see Elway take a player of his caliber at the 58th spot, though, some would argue that is to early to draft a player like Bell. Either way you look at it, one thing's for sure. Bell is on the Broncos radar but might not fall to them on the draft board in the right spot. Other teams such as, Pittsburgh and Green Bay are also interested in Bell.
STEPFAN TAYLOR- Stepfan Taylor might be the safest pick at the running back position some NFL experts believe. Other draft day analysts say that Taylor doesn't have the speed to make it in the NFL. From one extreme to another, maybe the biggest question mark in this years draft is how will Taylor pan out in the NFL, and where will he be drafted. Most project Taylor to be a second round player, due to his college body of work, and great fundamentals he carries. Out of all the running backs in this years draft class I believe Stepfan Taylor should be high on the Broncos RB draft list. When I watch game film of this kid he is an "old school runner." Meaning he carries the ball north and south, with great athletic ability. Taylor is honestly a running back that has all the traits a team should look for.In 2010, Taylor earned Honorable Mentioned All-Pac-10 honors after leading the Cardinal with 2,779 yards - the second-highest single-season rushing total in school history. He was the first Stanford sophomore to rush for more than 1,000 yards since Darrin Nelson in 1978. Taylor also had a nose for the end zone, with his 15 touchdowns the third-most in a single season for the Cardinal. - CBS SPORTS
Like I mentioned. This kid has a great body of work coming out of Stanford. Not to mention, he has great hands and catching ability coming out of the back field. Perfect with a QB like Manning. Not only that, Elway might be a little bias towards Taylor since they are both Stanford alumni now. Sometimes when you just have a good feeling about a player. That's the case I have with both Taylor and Lacy. I have a good feeling about them.
MIKE GILLISLEE- My wildcard pick. Explosion, toughness, quick, play-maker, and very athletic. Those are just some of the words I would use to describe former Florida Gator running back Mike Gillislee. At his time in Florida he came learned patience. And not only as a runner, but as a teammate. Due to a crowded backfield Gillislee didn't really get his chance until his senior season. And when he got the opportunity he made the most of it. Unlike some of my concerns with Montee Ball and Le'veon Bell, Gillislee has few miles under his belt. His senior season he ran for over 1,100 yards and had 10 touchdowns. Not to mention he has excellent hands catching out the backfield. He honestly reminds me of a Knowshon Moreno in college. Now that might sound discouraging and strange to some Broncos fans, but before Moreno was labeled an NFL bust, it's safe to say he was a stud during his time in College down in Georgia.I like Gillislee for the simple fact that I believe he could be an impact player right away, at a very affordable price. I also like the fact that he played in the SEC, and just like Lacy, played against the best of the best as far as competition goes week in and week out. The only concern with this kid is can he learn to be a true "between the tackle" runner. He does have a tendency of bouncing outside some and trying to rely on his speed, which won't work at the next level. Bottom line though, I like the guy. Very explosive and tough runner. Projected late third to early fourth round pick.
One things for sure. You never know what teams are going to do on draft day, and who they are going to draft, and if that player will pan out to be a good professional. I have never seen a "mock draft" spot on. I think many though would agree, that come draft day, the Denver Broncos will look to add another running back to their roster via the 2013 draft.
I still think that Lacy would be a good first round draft pick if the Broncos chose to go offensive in the early rounds. I also like the idea of adding a runner like Taylor maybe sometime later on if you can't grab Lacy. And I really love the idea of the Broncos drafting a kid like Gillislee sometime in the mid to late rounds. You can't deny his explosion for his draft value. I think runners like Ball and Bell, will be good professionals, and might be similar style of runners that John Fox is looking for, but I have my concerns. I don't think a back like Ball would would work in a Manning style offense. And I'm not completely sold on Bell yet. Who knows. Maybe it's none of the above. Maybe Denver finds another sleeper RB in the draft that they are notorious for. But as of now. Go Tide Go. Bring Lacy to Denver.
Thank you for your eyes that allowed you to read.
James Harper
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