Draft Grades: Broncos

The Broncos are a team without direction right now. First they sign three free agent running backs (J.J. Arrington, LaMont Jordan and Correll Buckhalter) and then they spend their 1st-round pick on Knowshon Moreno. He may develop into a quality starter, but it doesn't excuse the money wasted on the other three running backs.

Robert Ayers was a decent selection with their second 1st-round pick. However, it doesn't come without risk. He was a non-factor at Tennessee until his senior year and may not be best suited to play defensive end in Denver's 3-4 system.

The Broncos further compounded their problems by giving up next year's 1st-round pick to move up for Alphonso Smith. I do like Smith, but they gave up far to much acquire him. He should be an adequate starter, but wasn't worth the likely top-15 pick which Denver gave up.

Darcel McBath was a reach but it does add some much-needed depth to their secondary. He's a good athlete that could play strong or free safety at the next level. He could backup Brian Dawkins or compete with Reynaldo Hill for the starting job at free safety.

Richard Quinn was one of the biggest reaches of the draft. I wasn't surprised to see him off the board that high, but its a reach to take a blocking tight end in the 2nd round. He's a situational player, not the type of impact player that you need to land in the 1st and 2nd round.

I like the selection of David Bruton in the 4th round. I actually gave him a higher grade than Darcel McBath. He's a tremendous athlete, who's stock suffered at Notre Dame because he wasn't surrounded with enough talent. I believe he'll develop into a starter in a few years.

Seth Olsen was a reach in the 4th round. He has no upside and I don't see him as anything more than a backup.

Kenny McKinley was an excellent selection in the 5th round. He was one of the most productive receivers in South Carolina history despite suffering through multiple quarterback changes over the past few years. He could develop into a starter for the Broncos.

Tom Brandstater is a nice developmental prospect. He clearly looks the part of an NFL quarterback but he was very inconsistent at Fresno State. He may never amount to anything, but he's worth keeping around for a few years to see if he blossoms under the tutoledge of an NFL coaching staff.

7th-round pick Blake Schlueter will provide some depth, but nothing more. It isn't an exciting pick, but he should at least live up to expectations as a 7th-rounder.

The Broncos got some quality players in this draft. Moreno and Ayers should start from day one and Smith will certainly be in the competition for playing time. They also landed a few nice developmental prospect in David Bruton, Kenny McKinley and Tom Brandstater. I would be willing to give them a higher grade if they hadn't sacrificed next year's 1st-round pick for Smith.

Grade: B