Kiz: Well, with the Los Angeles Rams giving away everything except Venice Beach and the giant Hollywood sign to obtain the No. 1 overall pick, it appears the run on quarterbacks has begun. Not sure that’s good for the Broncos, particularly if you would like to see them trade up for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, which is a drum I’ve been beating. Maybe I need to change my tune.
Renck: The Rams recognized Rule No. 1 of the L.A. market: Stars are required. The Rams can’t open the season selling tickets to see Case Keenum play. My early prediction is that they select California’s Jared Goff. He is the most polished of the prospects, though Carson Wentz projects more upside. Regardless, the Rams’ move makes it more difficult for the Broncos. If the Broncos want Lynch, they probably will have to move into the top 20 to pull it off.
Kiz: Where’s the fun or what’s the advantage of being the Super Bowl champion if you draft for need at the end of the first round? Yes, the Broncos took hits at quarterback, linebacker and the defensive line in free agency. But the way a smart champion stays a legit contender is to draft the best talent available and find a way to allow that rookie to make an immediate impact.
Renck: General manager John Elway runs an organization like the Ravens. To stay elite, it requires difficult decisions with free agents and a constant wave of young talent. Elway isn’t afraid to be bold and take risks in the first round. It paid dividends the past two seasons with cornerback Bradley Roby and outside linebacker Shane Ray. So will Elway follow suit and draft defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche? Character and effort questions surround him. But would the Denver locker room help him mature and contribute?
Kiz: The Broncos could play it safe and take somebody like Germain Ifedi, an offensive lineman from Texas A&M. But since when does Elway do anything the safe way? While I still hold out hope Elway finds a way to trade for Lynch, if that becomes cost prohibitive, here is my next crazy idea: Bolster the run game. At No. 31 in the opening round, take bruising Alabama tailback Derrick Henry.
Renck: Kiz, come on. The Broncos don’t need a running back after giving C.J. Anderson a four-year, $18 million deal. Henry is a beast, but he is a straight-line runner. Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott is the only tailback worth drafting in the first round, and he will be gone in the first 10 picks. The best-case scenario for Denver involves acquiring a quarterback — through a trade for Colin Kaepernick or by drafting Lynch. If not, go with what works: defense. Take Nkemdiche or Alabama brute A’Shawn Robinson.
