The Broncos had to make a decision on Oklahoma State cornerback Perrish Cox. Was he a character risk or a 20-something who had made a mistake or two?
They chose the latter Saturday, selecting Cox in the fifth round of the draft.
“He’s a player who’s certainly more talented than where he was drafted, no question about it,” McDaniels said. “He’s got to live up to his end of the bargain.”
Cox, who was also one of the most talented returners on the draft board with six career touchdowns, was suspended by the Cowboys for the Cotton Bowl last season and was also barred from the team’s pro day in Stillwater.
Cox said the suspension was a result of two separate curfew violations during the team’s bowl week preparations, including one on New Year’s Eve. During interviews at the combine, some scouts said Cox had appeared reluctant or frustrated to talk about the incidents.
McDaniels said he was satisfied with what he heard.
“There wasn’t a hesitation on our part at this point,” McDaniels said. “We understand that he’s had some things happen, and he’s lived up to those things. He’s admitted he’s made some mistakes.”
“It hurt me in a great way (in the draft). I was told I was supposed to go higher than I did,” Cox said. “It was a mistake I made and something I learned from.”
A yes vote.
McDaniels said he enjoyed the draft’s new, three-day format. The first round was held Thursday night, the second and third rounds Friday and the final four rounds Saturday.
Thursday’s first round was filled with trades, including four by the Broncos.
“I really liked it,” McDaniels said. “I think the time that you had between Rounds 1 and Round 2 was really interesting, really good.”
The more you can do.
McDaniels said the new offensive linemen will be working at more than one position once they arrive at the team’s Dove Valley complex.
He said Zane Beadles, a second-round pick, will begin as a tackle but will also work at guard. J.D. Walton, a third- round pick, will begin as a center and also work at guard.
Eric Olsen, a sixth-round pick, would start as a guard and also work at center.
“I think they’re trying to create some competition,” Olsen said.
Return help.
The Broncos positioned themselves to give wide receiver Eddie Royal some relief in the return game. They selected Cox on Saturday, and McDaniels said veteran free-agent signee J.J. Arrington would also be in the mix as a kickoff returner.
The Broncos signed Arrington last year as well but later released him because he was recovering from knee surgery. They re-signed him in March.
“He will definitely be a possible kickoff returner,” McDaniels said.
Veteran LB signs.
The Broncos added a little more competition at the linebacker spot by signing veteran Akin Ayodele. The ninth-year veteran was the Miami Dolphins’ third- leading tackler last season with 71. He is expected to compete with Mario Haggan for the strongside inside spot.
Footnotes.
McDaniels, who employs a “short board” system in the draft that leaves only the players the team would be willing to draft on the board instead of every player with simply a draftable grade, said the team had 96 players on its draft board. . . . Olsen’s father, Andy, is a New York City firefighter and responded to the 9/11 attacks.
