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Denver Broncos - AFC West
Boise State OT Ryan Clady
Boise State OT Ryan Clady
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Apr 25, 2008

Denver Broncos - AFC West, 2008 Draft Selections & Prospects

Denver Broncos

The Draft Was ... Solid, and will be better on the field than it looks on paper. ASU RB Ryan Torain was a perfect-fit selection in the first round. Kent State CB Jack Williams is a player, and O linemen Ryan Clady and Kory Lichtensteiger will be plugged in right away to protect Jay Cutler.
Best Value Pick: Josh Barrett, S Arizona State. 7th Round. The measureables are there for him to grow into a role. He had a rough senior season, but with sub-4.4 wheels and excellent size, he was certainly worth the seventh round flier.
Biggest Reach: Eddie Royal, WR Virginia Tech. 2nd Round. His return skills might have had as much to do with the pick as his receiving talent, but he's too small and he's not the speedster Denver will need him to be.
They Should've ... Taken DeSean Jackson over Royal. If you're going to go small, go with blazing warp speed. Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed were still on the board, too.

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Pick  
12 12 1st Round   Ryan Clady, OT Boise State
A little thought about recruit, Clady turned into pure gold for Boise State as he was a dominant all-around blocker from the start. He proved in the Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma that he could produce at the highest level with a fantastic performance, and he was consistently fantastic his entire career. Arguably the best pass blocker in the draft, he's quick on his feet and can pound away when needed. Already a great prospect, he could be a perennial Pro Bowl performer if he becomes a bit more physical.
CFN Projection: First Round    CFN Position Rank:
2
11 42 2nd Round   Eddie Royal, WR Virginia Tech
An attractive prospect because of his return ability as much as his receiving skills, he never really blew up as a college target, but that was because Virginia Tech wasn't exactly Texas Tech when it came to throwing the ball. He has good speed, but not elite wheels, and he's not big enough to take any sort of a pounding across the middle. He'll bust his tail to find a role somewhere and could eventually become a nice option in the slot. He'll be an underwhelming No. 2 but a great No. 3
CFN Projection: Mid-Third to Fourth Round    CFN Position Rank:
14
20 119 4th Round    Jack Williams, CB Kent State
While he's not huge, at just 5-9 and 186 pounds, he throws his body around well and makes a ton of tackles. An ultra-productive four-year starter, he closed out with a brilliant 93-tackle campaign as he did more than ever for the run defense despite being hurt and playing through some big problems. Speed is hardly a problem with 4.44 wheels, and he has improved when the ball was in the air.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round   CFN Position Rank:
8
4 139 5th Round  Ryan Torain, RB Arizona State
Patience is a virtue. Torain could be a fantastic mid-round investment with a big payoff down the road. At 6-0 and 213 pounds with nice speed, he has the measurables. They might not be first round skills, but they're more than good enough to be an NFL starter. He's a hard runner who can catch the ball and will do whatever is asked of him. But he's hurt. A foot injury, needing to undergo Lisfranc surgery in the middle of last season, he likely won't be the player he should become by 2009 at the earliest. When he's right, he'll be an excellent No. 2 back.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round      
CFN Position Rank: 13
13 148 5th Round  Carlton Powell, DT Virginia Tech
He was fine over the last few years, but he didn't dominate like he should've. At 6-2 and 288 pounds he doesn't have the space-eater body to be a must-have prospect, and he's not in good enough shape to be the type of athlete who'll make a push into the backfield. He might be good in short bursts, but he can't be used for more than a few plays in a row.
CFN Projection:
Late Sixth Round to Early Seventh     
CFN Position Rank: 20
17 183 6th Round    Spencer Larsen, ILB Arizona
An ultra-productive overachiever with nice size, good toughness, and the smarts and leadership to be someone's main man in the middle for a long time if he gets help around him. Not the best of athletes and not the biggest of hitters, he struggles in pass coverage and can get blown up at times, but he makes up for his deficiencies with his drive and effort. He's the type of guy you want on your team.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round  
CFN Position Rank: 16
13 220 7th Round  Josh Barrett, SS Arizona State
4.36. Barrett was a decent prospect at 6-2 and 223 pounds with strong run stopping skills, and he showed the versatility to play either safety spot, and then he ripped off a 4.36 40 and his stock jumped through the roof. Now he has to play up to his measurables. He had a weird senior season as he didn't play well at times, disappeared for long stretches in games, and then came up with just enough big moments to leave everyone wanting more. On athleticism alone he'll be a great pickup, but he'll need a kick in the pants from time to time.
CFN Projection: Second Round 
 CFN Position Rank: 4
20 227 7th Round  Peyton Hillis, FB Arkansas
His money will be made as a receiver. A decent blocker, but not a special one, and not an NFL power runner, he'll find a role as a receiver out of the backfield.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round  
CFN Position Rank: 2


 



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