Maybe if life ever let up, John Lynch would have been as compelled as anyone else by the players the Broncos took in the NFL draft last weekend.
There seemed to be reason for Lynch to pay attention, as there had been speculation the Broncos might make a career-affecting decision by drafting a safety.
This is the time of year, though, when football drops precipitously on Lynch’s list of weekend priorities. For Lynch and wife Linda, weekends are controlled by Jake, 8; Lindsay, 6; Lilly, 4; and Leah Rose, 7 weeks.
“I used to watch every bit of the draft,” Lynch said. “But this year, it was lacrosse at 9, soccer at 11, on to ballet and then a birthday party. My wife was saying, ‘I know it’s too late now, but are you rethinking having your fourth kid?’ Because she knows how much I love the draft. And Saturday I didn’t get a lick of it. We had good laugh about that.”
Had he been the type, Lynch, 35, also could have laughed at the expense of those who once again wondered whether the Broncos would deem a fresh set of safety legs a top priority. And once again, the team ignored such concerns.
Among their four draft picks, the Broncos took three defensive linemen, one left tackle – and zero safeties. Not that Lynch relaxed once he found out about the draft he didn’t watch.
“I think your attitude in this league is they’re always trying to replace you,” said Lynch, who played in his eighth Pro Bowl three months ago. “You’re foolish if you don’t think otherwise. You can take it personal, but that’s their job. They’re supposed to constantly upgrade your roster.
“Just like these D-linemen. They can look at the draft as a slap in the face, but it doesn’t matter how you look at it just as long as you’re ready to compete. The good players, and the great players, welcome the competition.”
Five who could thrive
Upon completing their draft, the Broncos picked up five players they believed were the best among the undrafted.
Before presenting the undrafted five, though, it may be worth reviewing history. The Broncos’ two starting offensive tackles this season – Matt Lepsis and Erik Pears – were undrafted out of Colorado and Colorado State, respectively.
Broncos fullback Cecil Sapp also wasn’t drafted out of CSU. Just last year, the Broncos picked up three undrafted rookies in running back Mike Bell, defensive tackle Antwon Burton and receiver and returner Brian Clark.
Then there’s arguably the greatest undrafted player of them all, receiver Rod Smith.
So the following five Broncos should not be dismissed just because they weren’t drafted:
Auburn guard Tim Duckworth. A two-year starter and all-Southeastern Conference selection, the 6-foot-3, 306-pound Duckworth continues the Broncos’ quest to add bulk upfront.
Wisconsin safety Roderick Rogers. The undrafted free- agent pool is where the Broncos found their fresh pair of safety legs.
Hampton University receiver Marquay McDaniel. The Broncos’ lone small-college signee had 14 touchdown catches last year.
Florida defensive tackle Steven Harris and Texas running back Selvin Young, the team confirming earlier reports of their signings.
Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
