Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

After two years in a row of three players from my "draft value list", last year the Broncos only grabbed one (Crowder) and go their lowest draft grade from me since I started grading drafts in 2002.  This year they are back to three and since they are a round six player, a round seven player, and a free agent, you know I am going to love the late value the Broncos stole in this draft.  In fact, my only question in this draft, which is a minor point, is that Royal is a true slot receiver (albeit a good one), and the Broncos need a reliable #2.  Stokely is also best served in the slot, and I don't have faith in Jackson as a consistent #2 receiver (too many drops that kill drives).  Therefore, Hawkins would have been my pick.  He is going to be a very good starter in the NFL.  However, Royal will be a force in the offense from the slot after he adjusts to the NFL.

DRAFT PICKS

For some reason Clady went from the logical option for Kansas City at number five after Long was off the board to behind Albert, to falling out of the top ten.  Lucky Broncos.  Clady is an athletic left6 tackle who is immediately a much better option than Ryan Harris and could end up the best left tackle to come out of this draft in the long run.

Royal is fast, makes sharp cuts, knows how to get open and is an elusive receiver.  Even though he lacks size and bulk he has good strength so will be able to get off the line.  Before getting too excited know that the most catches he had in a year at Virginia Tech was 33 and the most yards 497.  His upside is as a top slot receiver.

Lichtensteiger is Nalen's heir apparent.  In the meantime he can also fill in at guard if needed.  He held his own during the Senior Bowl when he had to step up against tougher competition than he faced at Bowling Green.

Jack Williams is an interesting player.  While on the small size he is built very compactly, has good strength and terrific speed.  He is also a great athlete and has top-end change of direction skills.  At corner he shows good cover skills and has a nose for the ball.  Personally, I would like to see him add 10 to 15 pounds and move to free safety where he could be a special player if he can maintain his speed and agility at that weight.  His strength/change-of-direction/ball skills fit perfectly there.

Denver drafts a running back in round five and he immediately becomes a "sleeper" on hundreds of fantasy football sites.  Before getting too excited remember that he is coming off Lisfranc surgery and you may not see what he can really do until 2009 (assuming he makes it all the way).  When healthy he has the skill set to do well in Denver's zone blocking system.

Powell is an undersized, athletic defensive tackle who could help in the nickel and provide depth.

Larsen is the first of three players from my "draft value list".  Larsen is plain and simple, a football player.  His size indicates he should play in the middle in a 4-3, his measureables are more in line to play inside in a 3-4.  Larsen is a strong, instinctive kid with more quickness than you think.  It wouldn't surprise me if he winds up as Denver's starting middle linebacker at some point during 2008.

Josh Barrett in round seven is an out-and-out steal.  This kid was my number one rated strong safety.  He's big, can hit, and has rare speed for a strong safety.  Some question his ability to learn complex systems,  He thinks too much and doesn't play instinctively.  However, give him some time and you could have an in-the-box presence like Roy Williams, with Bob Sanders speed.  Worst case Denver has a monster special teams player.

Peyton Hillis is the ideal west coast fullback.  He is an excellent receiver with good size, strength and speed.  He was my top-rated fullback.  He also blocked for two first round picks in this draft (McFadden and Jones).

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Alridge is a Darren-Sproles type of player.  He is fast, quick, cuts on a dime and is an explosive athlete.  He also catches the ball very well and can line up in the slot or out wide and run patterns down the field.  He is also a good return man.  However, un-like Sproles who is short, Alridge is small.  Alridge is an intriguing signing who could play dividends as a spot player if Denver can afford a spot for him on their roster.

Polumbus is the type of athletic tackle that Denver prefers.  He is a big man who should, at worst, be a practice squad member.

Sam is a one-dimensional, big, strong receiver.  He has his work cut out for him to make the roster.

Hartley will get a look in camp because of the Elam defection. 

Kern is an underrated punter.  He has a real chance to win the job in preseason.

Woodyard was one of the best free agent signings by any team.  This kid is an active player who has good speed and quickness.  He is undersized which caused him to fall out of the draft.  Certainly he didn't fall out of the draft because he is over-aggressive which causes him to miss some tackles because that is coachable.  Woodyard will be a special teams staple and could force his way onto the field on defense down the line.  This kid isn't NFL-starter-ready now, but could be a solid weakside "tackle-hound" linebacker in the future.