As the days to the NFL draft tick down to hours, little has changed for the Broncos.
Their top priority for their No. 12 overall pick is to get one of three left tackles — Boise State’s Ryan Clady, Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams or Virginia’s Branden Albert.
If it’s Williams, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler will be nearby. Cutler is in Nashville standing up in the wedding for another former Vanderbilt fullback, Matthew Tant. Williams is having his draft party in Nashville, but he is expected to be drafted about the time Tant’s reception starts.
A key to the Broncos’ day figures to be what their AFC West-rival Kansas City Chiefs do with their No. 5 overall pick. The Chiefs desperately need a left tackle, too, but they may take a pass rusher after trading away defensive end Jared Allen for multiple high-round draft picks earlier this week.
There is a decent chance either Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston or Virginia’s Chris Long could fall to No. 5. The Chiefs also have the No. 17 overall pick, where they could wait and still get a solid left tackle, or package some picks and move up.
A Broncos’ fallback plan would be Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart or Miami safety Kenny Phillips.
The Broncos are not planning on trading out of their No. 12 spot, although they will listen if teams behind them call. Should the Broncos take a left tackle in the first round, their No. 42 overall pick in the second will likely go to a running back, inside linebacker, safety or a player with return skills.
