No. 2 Pick in 2011 Reader Mock: Broncos on the Clock

[Walter]

Voting for the No. 2 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Who will be the pick?

Results and some comments will be posted here.


http://walterfootball.com/draft2011reader.php


1. Panthers - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri


Da'Quan Bowers
Marcell Dareus
Nick Fairley
Von Miller
Patrick Peterson
Robert Quinn

[broncofan1]

The broncos need a starter at DT this position is extremely thin. This is why I don't see Bowers/Quinn here because of Ayers and Dumervil. Peterson would be a great pick here but the bigger need is at DT. Dareus is better than Fairley so no Fairley. This pick comes down to Von Miller and Marcell Dareus. LB is also a need but we have more depth ther and this need can be addressed later in the draft. I voted Dareus.

[Roddoliver]

I used to have Dareus as an automatic pick for Denver. #1 DT for the #1 need. But I am starting to change my mind. I don't think Dareus is special. He might not even be better than Fairley. But Von Miller... This guy is special. Like Mike Mayock said, he defies gravity. And in my opinion, he is more special than Patrick Peterson, especially for a team so hungry for front seven and pass rush. Miller is the #1 OLB and was the Senior Bowl Defensive MVP playing as a 4-3 LB. Dareus fills a hole. Miller fills a hole with amazing athleticism and superior production. 3rd down. Dumervil and Miller on the field. Wow.

[lion98]

Dareus is the force this team needs in the middle of this DLine

[Cap'n]

The Broncos need a force on their defensive line. While, Elvis Dumervil is returning, he is only an outside linebacker. The Broncos are in need of a defensive tackle more than any other position. That makes the choice between Nick Fairley and Marcell Dareus. Before this season, debate between Fairley and Dareus wouldn't even exist. Nick Fairley has barely got his game together and has not been consistently dominant at the collegiate level. Dareus is a much more proven competitor and was not as harsh spoken in his interviews and media talks. The Broncos do not need another foul mouth and brash person (i.e. Josh McDaniels...) on their team.

With the second pick in the NFL draft, the Broncos select Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama. :cool:

[Walter]

Something tells me this is going to be lopsided.

[rphx88]

Marcell Marcell Marcell! Dareus has to be the pick for Denver. He fills a major hole in a D-Line that can't plug a bloody nose. (Heard Bart Scott was gonna trade mark his "nose bleed" comment so change a few works for copyright reasons) Dareus also is less of a headcase compared to Fairley and has less injury concerns than Bowers. With that combination Dareus is the pick at selection two.

[mycarman]

Is Patrick Peterson the better prospect? sure. But the team just locked down Champ Bailey for a few more years, and the need for a DT like Marcell in their new (or really return) 4-3 defense.

[Vincinerator]

Dareus, simply, is the most intriguing prospect that makes any sense. John Fox isn't stupid, he knows that a team with no defensive line can't win any games. After all, he did coach in Carolina last year. So while, again, the best pick would be Patrick Peterson (wonder how many times I'll be saying that), the Broncos should seriously consider taking Dareus. He's an athletic freak with excellent motor who still has a fair amount of upside. Denver could really use the presence next to Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers (a PERFECT fit for the 4-3 LE, which I thought everybody knew until McDaniels screwed with our heads). That sounds like a pretty scary D-Line to me.

[SteVo]

Even though they re-signed Champ Bailey, Patrick Peterson could be the pick if he's higher on Denver's board (Champ isn't getting any younger), but I think they'll go with their biggest need in defensive tackle and grab Marcell Dareus. With the possibility of no football in 2011, Dareus, the "safe pick," is the right choice over Nick Fairley's "upside."

[KyleCleric]

Dareus is the pick. DT is a need. Dareus is a safe player capable of playing any possible DT position.

[TeHDruiD]

I went with Patrick Peterson. They have a huge need on the front 7, but I believe the depth of this draft in that area allows the Broncos to take the best player in the draft. Andre Goodman can't stay healthy, Champ Bailey is still playing at a high level but for how much longer and Perrish Cox has a questionable future because of his arrest. This pick easily could be a DT, but in the back of my mind I believe they're going to look long and hard at Patrick Peterson. You need at least 3 good CB's in the NFL, so factor that in with the age of the Broncos secondary and it makes a ton of sense that Peterson could be the guy not only for now, but for the future.

[vikingfan173]

the broncos need this, they need that...well if you are picking that high you need a whole lot of **** to get better, add Patrick Peterson to Champ Bailey and you get a damn good secondary right away, Dareus is possible, but who cares about DL when you can get the best player in the draft, how in the world can he slip past even the top spot...who the heck cares about positional value

[SanchoPanza]

The link goes to the 2010 version

[mdb17]

I picked Dareus. Fox had huge defensive tackles at Carolina so he may want the same thing in Denver. I think he gives Dumervil and Ayers a try at each defensive end position. Football is won in the trenches and Denver's front 7 is abysmal.

[Classic Silver and Black]

When your team gives away literally thousands of yards in the running game to its divisional rivals, then you must draft a run stopper as soon as you can. And in this case the draft has some top prospects at the position, too.
Since McDaniels left, I don't see the Broncos getting too concerned with long standing ethics, and because I gave Dareus to the Panthers, Nick Farley would be the most logical selection in this scenario.
The only other serious option is Bowers if he shows good run stopping qualities at his pro day.
The pure pass rushers are too risky and after Champ Bailey signed an extension Peterson would be a luxury pick where this franchise stands right now.

[cullen2k1]

John Fox is one of the most conservative coaches in the league. He isn't going to push the envelope on positional value and take Patrick Peterson. He's going to upgrade the middle of the defensive line. Dareus is the no brainer pick.

[aaah]

Denver went from Offensive Coach Mike Shannahan to Offensive Coach Josh McDaniels and continued to ignore Defense. Last Year they gave up 2463 Rushing yards and 26 Rushing TD. the average for Rushing TD is 12.5. If you can't stop the run, you going to loss a lot of Football games.

[Todd Marinovich's Trip]

I think they SHOULD take Dareus but I'm going to go with Fairley. I somehow just can see them falling in love with him and aren't Broncos going 4-3 next year? I think they might love his penetration.

But let's make this clear, I think Dareus is much better player and would be better fit for them. I just can see them taking Fairley for some reason.

[raiderfan8083]

Dude is a beast. Denver's #1 need is DT. He plays DT. I'm surprised we need a vote.

[Phatal]

Most people are talking about Dareus fillling a major need, something that he does. However, there is another reason that he will be the pick in my mind: versatility. The Broncos are switching from a 34 to a 43. Dareus fits into both schemes and will make the transition smoother for the Broncos. Dareus' versatility makes him a better prospect than Fairley and with the current CBA, Dareus makes a lot of sense.

[Yergsword]

The big question is, if Carolina takes Dareus as I expect them to, will Denver stick to the positional need and take Fairley?

[stevenlourie]

I got Bowers IF his knee checks out. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, but DEs have more impact on a team than DTs and they often get drafted earlier and in the top 3. Bowers could also remind John Fox of Julius Peppers, who he drafted 2nd overall with his first pick in his first year in Denver. If he knee doesn't check out, I think it'll be between Fairley and Dareus. Don't be surprised if they go Fairley as he actually played in a 4-3 in college.

[outsyderz34]

John Fox is a defensive-minded coach and he knows this team lacks any assemblance of talent on the defensive line. He has already said he has a lot of confidence in Ayers and Dumervil, so DE would most likely not be an option. Besides, a lot of experts would deem Dareus as BPA at the 2nd pick.

Dareus played in more of a 3-4 scheme in Alabama so he has the versatility to play several positions on the line.

[rossfelhofer]

this one's a no-brainer, who knows if dumervil comes back at his ability level and their pas-rush was atrocious last season and they have no depth whatsoever at DT

[BroncosCon]

To those who voted Peterson; I hope your team hires Josh McDaniels as coach/gm soon.

[marshallmosss]

Von Miller. The DT depth of this draft is too deep to ignore and can be addressed in the second round. You want an impact player at #2. Only Miller and Peterson fit that bill. Miller has a lot of Derrick Thomas/Julian Peterson in him and along with Doom and Ayers would create a fearsome force Denver has not had in decades! Dareus is good, but not elite worthy for that #2 pick. Pick up Austin/Nevis/Casey/Jenkins etc. in later rounds will more than fill Denver's needs at DT.

[TeHDruiD]

To those who voted Peterson; I hope your team hires Josh McDaniels as coach/gm soon.

What's your beef with Peterson?

[whatdoyouwant711]

Dareus.

[SwAg Dynasty]

Marcell Dareus, Alabama Crimson Tide.

DT is definitely one of Denver's biggest needs and Dareus, listed at 6'3 319lbs, fills that need quite nicely. I give Dareus the nod over Fairley because of Fairley's "on-field antics", by which I mean him being a potentially dirty player. Also, Dareus is larger and has experience in Nick Saban's 3-4/4-3 scheme - Saban has produced some pretty good pros and 3 potential 1st round prospects this year (Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, and Marcell Dareus).

Some may look to Da'Quan Bowers as John Fox's selection with this pick given his infatuation with athletic DEs, but does he really need one? Elvis Dumervil is returning from injury and is going to be switching to a DE, specifically a RE, in the 4-3 scheme and I believe John Fox will give Robert Ayers a shot at the LE position. So, I don't think DE is [I]that[I] big of a need.

Patrick Peterson is the best CB prospect in a good while and even though the Broncos managed to re-sign Champ Bailey and have veterans like Andre Goodman and young guys like Syd'Quan Thompson and Perrish Cox. Cox is facing sexual assault/rape allegations, so his future is far from settled in Denver and I don't think Thompson is fast enough to make up for his inexperience at this point. So Patrick Peterson could be the pick, but I really doubt it.

Hope I make it onto the Readers' Mock ;P

[Joey_Potter]

We all knew Dareus was talented but we had no clue the guy was a 319 pound physical freak. Dareus tore up Combine Drills and Athletics Tests (40 yard dash, etc). Dareus is now the top rated defensive lineman in this draft hands down, no arguments here. I have also heard that many in the Denver Front Office, including Head Coach John Fox love Dareus.

[BigDan245]

It should be Nick Fairley. He is the better then Marcell Dareus and the Broncos really need to help their interior defensive line.

[Third_Eye]

The last time the Broncos selected a Defensive tackle in the first 2 rounds of the draft they got Trevor Pryce. That worked out pretty well. For some asinine reason, they have not drafted high at that position since then. They have tried free agent stop gaps who were out of their prime, like Sam Adams, Darryl Gardner, Gerard Warren, DeWayne Robertson, and Jamal Williams. None of those worked out. Our defensive line has been our weakest link for over a decade. Something must be done. To me, I have been supporting Marcell Dareus since the middle of last year. When Dareus was ranked below Fairley I was hoping we would trade back a few selections and take Dareus. Now if we trade back we won't get him, so I advocate taking him at 2. He is the best DT in this draft, has perhaps the highest floor of any of the top prospects, is pro ready after playing in the Nick Saban defense, he is versatile, and has a tremendous speed and strength ratio for his size. In fact, my ideal draft scenario has us getting Dareus in the 1st and Phil Taylor in the early 2nd round. Those two could combine to give Denver their own version of "The Williams Wall" with Robert Ayers and Elvis Dumervil as the starting ends. Taylor probably doesn't last until the 2nd round now, but it's a nice thought. either way, if Dareus is on the board (please don't take him Carolina) he has got to be the pick. As of right now, the only defensive tackles on the roster are Kevin Vickerson and Louis Leonard. To say this is the biggest team need is a massive understatement. They need 2-3 new Defensive Tackles

[viking1014]

From watching the game tape Fairley is much more impressive/dominant than Dareus. Size, speed, athletic ability, strength, power and most importantly an impact player who makes plays.

[zcnumerouno]

Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson- Bowers is suffering through a serious knee injury, I wouldn't risk taking him at #2.
Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn- Nick Fairly is a one year wonder, and wasn't very consistent during his college career. Not worth taking him at #2.
Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M- No matter how freakishly talented someone is like Von Miller, I don't believe you should take a 3-4 OLB with a #2 overall selection.
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU- The best player in the class by far is Patrick Peterson. I see a lot of Charles Woodson in him. But you DON'T take a corner with a top 5 pick. You can just throw away from him. It wouldn't be worth it.
Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina- He has character issues and was suspended for the whole season, not worth a #2 selection.
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama- That just leaves Marcell Dareus. I believe he is by far the best DL prospect this year. The Broncos need help with their interior defensive line. Marcell Dareus is for sure worth a #2 selection.

[broncofan7]

Josh 'I do what I want' McDaniels isn't in charge anymore, so they will in all likelihood make the right pick. The Broncos cut multiple defensive tackles. And John Fox has spoke highly about this years defensive line class. Marcel Dareus would bring an immediate impact to the Broncos struggling defensive line.

[Third_Eye]

[QUOTE=zcnumerouno;855741
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU- The best player in the class by far is Patrick Peterson. I see a lot of Charles Woodson in him. But you DON'T take a corner with a top 5 pick. You can just throw away from him. It wouldn't be worth it.
[/QUOTE]

I agree with you that Dareus should be the pick. However, I have to raise an objection to the reasoning against Peterson. I have heard this argument, and while it is certainly true for most teams, it does not apply to Denver. If you throw away from Patrick Peterson you would be throwing at Champ Bailey. Nobody throws at Champ. If teams would actually avoid Peterson and start throwing at Champ he will probably have another 10 int season like he had a few years ago. I support taking Dareus because it fills the biggest need, and a championship defense is built from the front. Dareus is my favorite player in this draft. But if the Broncos decide to draft Peterson instead, I won't complain. He'd be no.2 on my list

[pantherfaninfl]

Questions!
Who is the head coach of the Denver Broncos? John Fox
What has allowed John Fox to be successful in this league? Running the ball and dominant defensive line play.
What kind of defensive lineman did he have? Kris Jenkin, Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker
Which prospect will probably remind John Fox as any of those guys? Marcell Dareus

Marcell Dareus will probably remind John Fox of the size and athleticism of a younger Kris Jenkins, plus John Fox loves big defensive tackles. Only in his last two years did that change because of the hiring of Ron Meeks as the defensive co-ordinator. John Fox is going to try like hell to rebuild that awesome defensive line that made his team so tough to beat during the early years of his Carolina tenure. Dareus will be the beginning of it.

[Daniel Brown]

Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson- Bowers is suffering through a serious knee injury, I wouldn't risk taking him at #2.
Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn- Nick Fairly is a one year wonder, and wasn't very consistent during his college career. Not worth taking him at #2.
Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M- No matter how freakishly talented someone is like Von Miller, I don't believe you should take a 3-4 OLB with a #2 overall selection.
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU- The best player in the class by far is Patrick Peterson. I see a lot of Charles Woodson in him. But you DON'T take a corner with a top 5 pick. You can just throw away from him. It wouldn't be worth it.Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina- He has character issues and was suspended for the whole season, not worth a #2 selection.
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama- That just leaves Marcell Dareus. I believe he is by far the best DL prospect this year. The Broncos need help with their interior defensive line. Marcell Dareus is for sure worth a #2 selection.

This is quite honestly the dumbest **** ever said. If a team isn't throwing to a CB then the amount of space the opposing offense has to work with decreases greatly which makes the defense much better.

[Daniel Brown]

It's Marcell Dareus. This man moves like a ****ing angel at 319 pounds.

[airnjp]

I say Bowers, but I could see them trying to trade this pick with another team trying to get into the mix on a QB. With Gabbert off the board, a team might be trying to jump Buffalo for Cam Newton and willing to give up top picks for it.

[SkolShane]

I see a potential draft canidate for the Broncos being AJ Green, Why not devolp a wideout to go with Kyle Orton, It'll give him some better options than what he had last year

[broncofan7]

To those who voted Peterson; I hope your team hires Josh McDaniels as coach/gm soon.

Rather have him over Bowers.

[Springfieldtopes23]

The Broncos have absolutely nothing at DT. Marcell Dareus would give them a 2nd stud that defenses would have to gameplan for. Something they were lacking last season.

[vikingsteve26]

Dareus. They have Ayers and Dumervil so they are set for defensive ends

[Roddoliver]

I see a potential draft canidate for the Broncos being AJ Green, Why not devolp a wideout to go with Kyle Orton, It'll give him some better options than what he had last year

The Broncos must put a better QB than Orton on the field, and not give better WRs to Orton.

[John L.]

If the Panthers pick Dareus, Bowers will be the pick. If they don't, Dareus will be the pick. I think the Panthers do go Dareus, despite the reader mock, and Bowers becomes the Fox's new Julius Peppers.

[Stupac]

I'm not entirely sold on Denver keeping this selection. They have needs everywhere on the defensive side of the ball, and the defensive line depth in this year's draft means that impact players will be available all over the top half of the first round. With that said, I voted for Patrick Peterson. He's a dynamic player that will have a unique impact wherever he lands, and he's someone who could be snapped up anywhere in the Top 10. If a team wants Peterson desperately enough, this may be where they'll have to trade up to get him.

[AllDaWay]

It's a shame just because he put up better numbers in spandex, Dareus wins the debate between him and Fairley by overwhelming numbers. Fairley dominated on the field while there where question marks surrounding Dareus about him not making as much of an impact as he was expected.

[Eloso8]

The broncos need a starter at DT this position is extremely thin. This is why I don't see Bowers/Quinn here because of Ayers and Dumervil. Peterson would be a great pick here but the bigger need is at DT. Dareus is better than Fairley so no Fairley. This pick comes down to Von Miller and Marcell Dareus. LB is also a need but we have more depth ther and this need can be addressed later in the draft. I voted Dareus.

Couldn't have said it better myself...thanks broncofan1

[Centurion]

This is a virtual lock, but Dareus is the pick.

[Cougfan]

I think the psychological aspect of drafting isn't always appreciated. There are reasons for every draft pick and they can always be found out after. John Fox takes over for a team that many believe was decimated by Josh McDaniel. John Fox will draft the safest and most crowd pleasing pick here. Considering the Broncos have nothing at DT Marcell Dareus will be the pick.