Colorado has been waiting for the Broncos to make a big move this offseason. This big enough?
After dancing with Terrell Owens, Jamal Lewis and Andre Carter, the Broncos got their payoff Saturday: quarterback Jay Cutler, the potential next face of the organization; and Javon Walker, a veteran playmaker Denver had desperately sought. The Broncos finished the first day of the draft by selecting tight end Tony Scheffler of Western Michigan at No. 61.
“It’s a big day,” Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said. “Very exciting.”
In a matter of hours, the team addressed the present and the future of Mike Shanahan’s offense, potentially signaling the end of the Jake Plummer era.
Walker, if he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last September, becomes the team’s best playmaker, and Cutler, the SEC player of the year, has a chance to take over for Plummer as soon as 2007.
“Jake understands competition,” Shanahan said. “We couldn’t pass this up.”
Added general manager Ted Sundquist: “This is not about us being upset with Jake or anything negative. It’s not. We love Jake. It’s all just about the future.”
Denver moved from No. 15 to 11 to snare Cutler, trading the 15th and 68th picks to St. Louis. Then the Broncos sent the No. 37 pick to the Green Bay Packers for Walker, a disgruntled Pro Bowl player entering the final year of his contract.
Sundquist said the team is “very close” to a contract extension for Walker, and Shanahan said the parameters of a six-year deal are set. It is expected to include a signing bonus of about $10 million.
Walker met with four teams in the 48 hours preceding the trade. Until Saturday, Green Bay had been demanding a first-round pick for Walker. The Broncos’ patience ultimately won out, costing them a second- rounder.
“We’re very pleased to get Javon Walker,” Bowlen said. “He helps right away. He can be special. Our guys did very well.”
Added Sundquist: “Javon is healthy and ready to go. He’s a big addition. We look at him as a top 10-pick type player.”
In Cutler, Denver gets one of the Big Three quarterbacks available in the draft. Vince Young of Texas went to Tennessee with the No. 3 pick and USC’s Matt Leinart went one pick ahead of Cutler to Arizona.
Denver has quietly coveted Cutler, a productive, smooth and smart player at Vanderbilt, since early last season. The Broncos scurried to make the deal with the Rams to snap him up.
Denver also talked with Buffalo about moving up to No. 8. to grab either Leinart or Cutler, though Cutler is a better fit for the Broncos’ system because of his mobility. He is the first quarterback Denver has taken in the first round since drafting Tommy Maddox in 1992.
“It was an opportunity you don’t get very often,” Bowlen said. “You hope you picked a guy who can play for you for 15 years.”
Denver spent the past two offseasons trying to acquire a veteran quarterback to compete with backup Bradlee Van Pelt. In Cutler, they have a player who could jump to the starting job after gaining a year of experience as a backup.
Plummer, 31, has four years remaining on a seven-year, $40 million deal, and the Broncos exercised a $6 million option in February 2005. The team will not owe him any more guaranteed money after 2006.
Plummer, who has led Denver to the playoffs three consecutive seasons, was not available for comment Saturday. Earlier this month he spoke about the upcoming draft, looking toward getting more help on offense.
“I think we’ll probably take a playmaker pretty high in the draft,” Plummer said. “I don’t care where. But I know we’ll get some help. As a quarterback you always want weapons.”
Celebrating his 23rd birthday, Cutler, speaking from his home in Santa Claus, Ind., steered clear of a quarterback controversy. He said he wanted to learn under Plummer while saying he eventually wants to play because of his competitive nature.
While Cutler is for the future, Walker is for the present.
Walker visited Denver on Thursday. His knee checked out, and Shanahan said he expects Walker to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. Walker wanted out of Green Bay because of a contract dispute.
Walker emerged as a star in 2004 when he made 89 catches and scored 12 touchdowns. He gives Denver a much-needed boost at receiver and likely will be co-No. 1 receiver with Rod Smith this season.
Walker’s acquisition may be an indication receiver Ashley Lelie may not be with the team this season. Lelie has asked to be traded and is staying away from the team’s offseason workout program, indicating he wants to be a No. 1 receiver. Now, he has fallen to No. 3 on the depth chart. Denver offered Lelie to Green Bay in the package for Walker, but the Packers balked.
Staff writer Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
FIRST-ROUND PICKS
Thumbs up or thumbs down by Denver Post staff writer Anthony Cotton:
NO. 1 | TEXANS
Mario Williams
DE N.C. State 6-6 1/2 292
Top combination of size, speed and athletic ability, he could develop into a dominating defensive end. Can take most offensive tackles with his first step, and has the upper-
body strength and fluidity to elude those he can’t beat off the line.
Thumbs up: Not as sexy as Reggie Bush but better for the Houston franchise.
NO. 2 | SAINTS
Reggie Bush
RB Southern Cal 5-11 1/2 203
Fast, elusive and nearly impos-
sible to take down in the open field, as multiple highlight reels from his 2005 Heisman-winning season demonstrated. Smaller than ideal for an NFL running back, he’s not the type to move the pile or soak up 30 carries.
Thumbs up: Will sell tickets in New Orleans, San Antonio or Los Angeles.
NO. 3 | TITANS
Vince Young
QB Texas 6-4 233
A nightmare for every defense he faced in college with his combination of accurate passing and elusive, open-field running. Big enough to see over the line, his sidearm delivery worked for him in college, but could lead to more batted passes in the NFL.
Thumbs up: Tennessee’s coaches wanted Matt Leinart, but Young too talented to pass on.
NO. 4 | JETS
D’Brickashaw Ferguson
OT Virginia 6-6 312
Big and beyond nimble, he’s actually athletic, with a great first step and excellent wingspan. Rarely out of position and almost impossible to beat except by brute strength.
Thumbs up: A dominant offensive lineman, but who will he be protecting?
NO. 5 | PACKERS
A.J. Hawk
LB Ohio State 6-1 248
Top linebacker in the draft, Hawk is a complete, sideline-to-sideline player. Quick to diagnose a play, he uses superior speed and block-shedding ability to run down the ball carrier. An excellent tackler, he takes good angles and rarely overpursues.
Thumbs up: Ferocious competitor who will help a porous defense.
NO. 6 | 49ERS
Vernon Davis
TE Maryland 6-3 1/4 254
Not quite as big as some star pros, but has exceptional athleticism and soft hands. Can embarrass defenders in man coverage, and has shown a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage.
Thumbs up: On a team with many holes, as good a choice as any.
NO. 7 | RAIDERS
Michael Huff
DB Texas 5-11 3/4 198
An impressive physical specimen with the speed to play cornerback, size and strength to play safety.
Thumbs up: Despite a strong need at QB, Huff was too good to let go.
NO. 8 | BILLS
Donte Whitner
DB Ohio State 5-10 204
Can make plays all over the field, including as a pass rusher. Reckless with his body in run support. Excellent in deep coverage. At his size, likely to be a free safety in the NFL.
Thumbs down: A big drop from Huff; Buffalo could have traded down to get him.
NO. 9 | LIONS
Ernie Sims
LB Florida State 5-11 3/4 234
Aggressive, but undersized. He’s fast and shows good pursuit angles and natural instincts. Big hitter. Makes excellent plays in pass coverage.
Thumbs up: Should be a solid choice, but somehow things haven’t worked out lately for Detroit.
NO. 10 | CARDINALS
Matt Leinart
QB Southern Cal 6-4 224
Leinart has the height and frame scouts like, and has been praised by scouting services for his instincts, quick reads of defenses and poise. His accuracy is excellent and his arm strength adequate. Thumbs up: Great skill position players around him, and a chance to learn from Kurt Warner.
NO. 11 | BRONCOS
Jay Cutler
QB Vanderbilt 6-3 228
Has all the necessary physical skills to succeed in the NFL, including size, arm strength and scrambling ability. While he’s no Vince Young, he’s still a threat to take off and throw on the run. Needs to improve his mechanics. Consistency is also a concern. Slightly overhyped and could be a reach at this spot. But also could be a gem.
Thumbs up: No rush to play right away, but may be best long-term prospect.
NO. 12 | RAVENS
Haloti Ngata
DT Oregon 6-4 1/4 338
An immovable object, he can hold his ground against double teams, and sometimes still make the play. Could be an excellent pocket-collapsing bull rusher and run stuffer. But occasionally takes plays off.
Thumbs up: Not a lot of publicity, but has a strong upside.
NO. 13 | BROWNS
Kamerion Wimbley
DE Florida State 6-3 3/4 248
Could be a great fit at outside linebacker for the Browns because they run a 3-4 defense. Very quick, he can change direction fast.
Thumbs up: After giving all their D-linemen to Denver, Wimbley fills an obvious need.
NO. 14 | EAGLES
Brodrick Bunkley
DT Florida State 6-2 1/2 304
A versatile defensive tackle who can rush the passer and stuff the run. Not particularly fast, but is quick and can usually gain leverage at the point of attack.
Thumbs down: Eagles had greater needs, including wide receiver.
NO. 15 | RAMS
Tye Hill
DB Clemson 5-9 1/2 185
Quick and fast, he’s probably the best cornerback suited to zone coverage in the draft. Also excels at man coverage.
Thumbs up: Picked up extra choice from Denver and got a solid player.
NO. 16 | DOLPHINS
Jason Allen
DB Tennessee 6-0 3/4 213
Would be a nice counter to have against big, physical wide receivers, because of his leaping ability and long arms.
Thumbs down: Good player today, but hip injuries may limit career.
NO. 17 | VIKINGS
Chad Greenway
LB Iowa 6-2 1/2 240
Slightly bigger than Hawk, not quite as fast or as strong, but comparable in every other way. He’s probably better in pass coverage, with excellent instincts and a nose for the ball. Good tackler. Relentless pass rusher.
Thumbs up: A week ago, Minnesota was wondering about holes at linebacker. Today the Vikings feel much better.
NO. 18 | COWBOYS
Bobby Carpenter
LB Ohio State 6-2 1/2 256
Shows nice upside, especially as a pass defender. Matches up well and has good range and speed. Against the run, he tackles well, but struggles to avoid blockers and can be stood up. Versatile, but probably projects best as an outside linebacker for a 3-4 team. Thumbs up: Another team needing a wideout, but this is a good choice.
NO. 19 | CHARGERS
Antonio Cromartie
DB Florida State 6-2 1/4 203
A potential boom-or-bust pick, he sat out the 2005 season with a torn knee ligament. Has raw talent in buckets, with plenty of speed to go along with his size. Excellent leaper, he has long arms and can reach the ball in traffic. Occasionally relies too much on natural ability, needs to improve his technique and learn to anticipate routes better.
Thumbs up: Good pick given the likes of AFC wideouts Randy Moss, Rod Smith and Javon Walker.
NO. 20 | CHIEFS
Tamba Hali
DE Penn State 6-2 1/2 263
Short but powerful player with a strong upper body and the agility to elude the first punch of offensive tackles. Very sharp at diagnosing plays early, he will make plays in pursuit. Big offensive tackles, however, could swallow him up. Thumbs down: Intriguing long-term prospect, but may be a bit of a stretch.
NO. 21 | PATRIOTS
Laurence Maroney
RB Minnesota 5-10 1/2 211
Explosive and fast, he’s tough to bring down in the open field, but should be stoppable in traffic. Doesn’t hesitate to hit the hole. Needs work to become useful as a receiver or as a blocker, but could potentially excel at both, especially pass catching.
Thumbs up: If Bill Belichick takes him, it must be a good choice.
NO. 22 | 49ERS
Manny Lawson
DE N.C. State 6-5 238
Another athletic tweener whose measurables might spell OLB to the right team. A raw but potentially dangerous pass rusher. Excellent speed for his size, he has a good closing burst on the QB, and can run down RBs from behind. Solid open-field tackler, which could be handy if he gets moved to OLB. Thumbs up: There are some in NFL who liked him as much as Mario Williams.
NO. 23 | BUCCANEERS
Davin Joseph
G Oklahoma 6-2 1/2 311
Mean streak and aggressiveness help make up for smallish size. Good mobile blocker, can clear out linebackers when pulling and trapping. Played left tackle for the Sooners, but is likely to be a guard in the NFL.
Thumbs up: Probably the second-best offensive lineman in the draft.
NO. 24 | BENGALS
Johnathan Joseph
DB South Carolina 5-11 189
An enticing but raw prospect. Very fast and athletic, can turn and run quickly and close on the receiver. A broken foot in 2004 means he has only one season as a starter in D-I, so there could be lot of room for improvement – but health will be a concern. Is a decent tackler in run support.
Thumbs down: Depth is a plus, but they’ve already got Deltha O’Neal and Tory James.
NO. 25 | STEELERS
Santonio Holmes
WR Ohio State 5-10 1/2 187
Sneaky, elusive speedster who is skilled at getting open against zone and man coverages. Secure hands, albeit has the occasional lapse in concentration. Can make defenders miss after the catch and is fearless going over the middle. Should be able to contribute as a punt returner, too.
Thumbs up: May be the perfect replacement for Antwaan Randle-El.
NO. 26 | BILLS
John McCargo
DT N.C. State 6-2 295
Undersized, but has the raw material to become a disruptive one-gap tackle. Good intelligence and work ethic. A potential pocket collapser, but a touch overlooked playing on the same unit as first overall pick Mario Williams and 22nd choice Manny Lawson.
Thumbs down: Tough day for Buffalo; another player who would have been around later.
NO. 27 | PANTHERS
DeAngelo Williams
RB Memphis 5-8 1/2 217
An elite all-around prospect, he’s quick and compact, but also elusive and difficult to tackle. He’s also a good pass catcher. With his balance and strength, he should be adequate at pass protection, too, once he becomes more adept at picking up the blitz.
Thumbs down: With Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster shaky, it makes sense. But will Williams become a star?
NO. 28 | JAGUARS
Marcedes Lewis
TE UCLA 6-6 1/2 261
Good receiver and big target who excels at catching the jump ball. Very agile and athletic. Has been praised for consistent ability to take out moving LBs. Will probably struggle to block DEs along the line, though.
Thumbs up: Talented player who provides Byron Leftwich with a consistent target.
NO. 29 | JETS
Nick Mangold
C Ohio State 6-3 1/2 300
The top center in the draft by far. Strong, but not overpowering, he should be adequate except against mammoth, two-gap tackles. Thumbs up: With D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Jets now have two solid rookie offensive linemen.
NO. 30 | COLTS
Joseph Addai
RB Louisiana State 5-11 214
A decisive runner who hits the hole immediately and with good burst. Has an excellent second gear after finding space. He’s also a dangerous runner after catching a pass.
Thumbs down: Needed a replacement for Edgerrin James, but Addai may not be the answer.
NO. 31 | SEAHAWKS
Kelly Jennings
DB Miami 5-10 1/2 178
Smooth and quick to react, he was one of the top shutdown corners in college football. Could stand to get bigger and stronger. Needs to improve his technique in bump-and-run coverage. Skilled tackler.
Thumbs down: Seahawks stockpiling defensive backs, but Jennings won’t have immediate impact.
NO. 32 | GIANTS
Mathias Kiwanuka
DE Boston College 6-5 1/2 261
Excellent pass rusher skilled at anticipating the snap count and getting around most tackles. His moves will need some work, but he’s shown the agility and nose for the QB that suggest he’ll become adept in the NFL.
Thumbs down: Giants already have two Pro Bowl defensive ends, and Kiwanuka was destroyed by D’Brickashaw Ferguson in the Senior Bowl.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
