No one is quite sure whom and at which position the Broncos will draft once NFL commissioner Roger Goodell commences the events Saturday morning – including the Broncos.
The team has spent the better part of the offseason and much of this week gauging opportunities to move up in the draft from their No. 21 spot. Expect the Broncos to continue to work the phones, and if they don’t make a deal to move up, they could move down once they are on the clock.
A safe bet is that the Broncos will look for defense early and often, but there’s also a case to be made for wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Last month, the Broncos twice tried to jump to the No. 2 spot, attempting to get the Georgia Tech star many believe is the best available player. That is unlikely, but the Broncos still could make some calls to the Detroit Lions, who hold the No. 2 pick.
“You have to study every possibility and then consider how it best fits your needs,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said last month. “There are a lot of scenarios to work through.”
The first scenario the Broncos will consider is trading up in the first round, which, if it took place, likely would happen while the draft is in progress. Last season when the Broncos moved up from No. 16 to No. 11 to take quarterback Jay Cutler, it was while the Rams were on the clock at No. 11. Two teams the Broncos could have talks with during the draft are Houston, which is scheduled to draft No. 10, and San Francisco, at No. 11.
If the Broncos move that high, Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye might be a prime target. The Broncos have been studying the 19-year-old, who will be the youngest player to enter the league. Okoye is 6-feet-2, weighs 302 pounds and has plenty of room to grow. He fits the mold of big defensive tackles desired by Jim Bates, the Broncos’ new assistant head coach in charge of defense. The position is one of the team’s biggest needs.
Washington could take Okoye at No. 6. He surely won’t fall past No. 13, where St. Louis is scheduled to pick.
“We don’t know much about Denver’s interest, but are confident whoever takes Amobi, it will be early,” said Ian Greengross, one of Okoye’s agents.
After the Broncos signed veteran outsider linebackers Warrick Holdman and D.D. Lewis on Thursday, it is unlikely they will make an early run at a linebacker. Speculation the team would target Mississippi standout Patrick Willis seems off the mark now.
If the Broncos stay at No. 21, they most likely will go after the best available defensive lineman. It is a strong year for defensive ends, with Nebraska’s Adam Carriker, Florida’s Jarvis Moss, Jamaal Anderson of Arkansas and Purdue’s Anthony Spencer likely to go in the No. 11-25 range. It is likely one or two of those players will be available when the Broncos’ pick. Spencer has the potential to be a top-notch pass rusher and should be available.
Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch also could fall to No. 21. The New Mexico native initially was projected to be a top-five pick, but questions about a poor workout and his level of motivation could cause Branch to slip. At 6-5, 325 pounds, Branch would be intriguing to Denver and be a value pick.
“I think my versatility is what a lot of teams get with me, because really I’m big, but I’ve got a lot of explosiveness coming out of the gate,” Branch said.
If the Broncos stray from the defensive line in the first round, they could go for safety Reggie Nelson, but he is getting interest from several teams scheduled to pick higher than the Broncos.
After the first round, the Broncos are likely to address issues at linebacker, safety, returner and possibly receiver. Utah’s defensive tackle Paul Soliai, Notre Dame defensive end Victor Abiamiri, Michigan linebacker David Harris and Hampton linebacker Justin Durant are possibilities.
The Broncos also could look at veterans available in trades, such as Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who likely will be traded this weekend. St. Louis appears to be the leading candidate to land Jenkins, whose price tag could be steep.
Denver’s scenarios remain wide open.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
Looking at defense
Broncos reporter Bill Williamson offers analysis on some of the players the team might look at in the early rounds of this weekend’s draft:
Anthony Spencer
The Purdue defensive end is one of several first-round quality players at his position. He should be on the board when the Broncos are scheduled to pick at No. 21. Has strong pass-rushing skills.
Jarvis Moss
The Florida product also is one of the top defensive ends and could fall to No. 21. He was the star of the game for the Gators in their BCS title game victory against Ohio State. He has big-time pass-rushing ability.
Reggie Nelson
The Florida safety likely is high on Denver’s list. The Broncos will check out defensive linemen first, but if their top options are gone, they could look at this hard hitter, especially if Ohio State star receiver Ted Ginn Jr. is off the board.
Lawrence Timmons
The Broncos will take a linebacker early, and this Florida State product is a possibility. Others may include Miami’s Jon Beason, Michigan’s David Harris and Hampton’s Justin Durant.
Paul Soliai
The massive Utah defensive tackle is what defensive boss Jim Bates seeks in men in the middle. Soliai weighs 344 pounds. He’ll attract interest from teams in the second or third rounds.
Amobi Okoye
This 19-year-old DT from Louisville would require a big trade up in the first round. He would fill a major need.
Online: Follow each selection during this weekend’s NFL draft from New York’s Radio City Music Hall with The Denver Post’s up-to-the-minute Draft Tracker. Analyze 200 prospect profiles, team-impact analysis for the first three rounds and a series of mock drafts. Discuss each of Denver’s selections on the All Things Broncos blog. Pore over draft boards by team and round. Watch video of Mike Shanahan’s press conferences. And track the maneuvering at Dove Valley with exclusive updates from The Post’s Tom Kensler on Saturday and Sunday. www.denverpost.com/broncos
