Draft Review: Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos

1st Round, Pick #28:  Sylvester Williams DT North Carolina
This was one of the best values of round one.  Denver's run defense was patched together last year with retreads, and they needed to infuse some talent.  They signed Terrence Knighton to play the NT spot and now have a new starting 3 technique defensive tackle.  Williams is a stout defender who can play the run and has the speed and quickness to be a disrupter.  Williams also fits in extremely well because on passing downs they'll be able to slide Williams down to the NT spot when they move Derek Wolfe from DE to the 3 technique spot.  Need meets value
Pick Grade:  A

2nd Round, Pick #58:  Monte Ball RB Wisconsin
It was only a matter of time before the Broncos went after a new running back to be their starter.  However you have to wonder if they made a mistake here.  Ball is talented and proven (1,830 yards and 22 TDs last year), but he has a TON of mileage (983 touches if four years).    Either the Broncos found their next back or they got somebody who will be out of the league in a couple of years.  Also throw in that Ball isn't very explosive athlete and you wonder how much more punishment he will take.  Not saying this is a bad pick, but you would have liked to see this in the third or fourth rounds.
Pick Grade:  D

3rd Round, Pick #90:  Kayvon Webster CB South Florida
Champ Bailey can't play forever can he?  The Broncos take Kayvon Webster here who not only is fluid in and out of his cuts but is one of the top run defenders at the cornerback position.  He can play outside or move inside and take advantage of his quick feet.  This should help him get on the field quicker.
Pick Grade:  B

5th Round, Pick #146:  Quanterus Smith DE Western Kentucky
So because of a fax/communications error the Broncos lost Elvis Dummervil and now have a huge hole at defensive end.  Shaun Phillips was signed and him and Robert Ayers (remember him?) will get the first look.  However they also went out and brought in the talented but questionable Quanterus Smith.  Smith is a flat out rush the passer as he showed with three sacks against Alabama, but isn't always consistent.  They'll bring him along as a situational player but their hoping he can be the full time player that Dummervil was.
Pick Grade: A

5th Round, Pick #161:  Tavarres King WR Georgia
Peyton Manning has had all sorts of luck with late round or unknown receivers and King might just be another success story.  King has elite speed and excels in deep routes.  With the exception of Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos dont' have anybody to take the top off.  Adding King's speed to the unit along with Thomas could do wonders to open up the field for Welker and Decker.
Pick Grade: A

6th Round, Pick #173:  Vinston Painter OT Virginia Tech
Armed with good size and length and surprising mobility for his size Vinston Painter is a prototypical  zone blocking tackle that the Broncos have had success with in the past.  Unfortunately Painter comes to Denver without much production at the college level.  If Alex Gibbs and the coaching staff can develop him he could turn out to be a great steal.
Pick Grade:  B+

7th Round, Pick #234:  Zac Dysert QB Miami (OH)
Knowing that Peyton Manning probably only has a couple of years left, the Broncos add another promising quarterback who could become the next starter.  Sure Brock Oseweiler is more than likely the future, but Dysert has the arm that NFL teams love.  Having him learn behind Manning could only improve his decision making and preparation skills.
Pick Grade:  A

Overal  Grade:  B

Player Profile: Sylvester Williams

Sylvester Williams

Height:  6'3
Weight:  313
School:  North Carolina
Position:  Defensive Tackle
Ranking:  #4 Defensive Tackle
Projection:  Top 25

Strengths
-Good size and bulk for the DT position
-Long arms (33") that allow him to keep blockers off his body
-Good strength (27 reps) that he uses to shed blockers
-Great quickness he uses to fire off the ball
-Uses speed and quickness to penetrate into the backfield
-Doesn't give up against double teams
-Good anchor.  Hard to move off spot
-Uses his big hands (10") to win hand fights and keep himself clean
-Great motor.  Always going hard.  Never gives up on plays.
-Position flexibility.  Can play both DT spots in the 4-3 and the DE in the 3-4
-Has a knack for blocking kicks

Weaknesses
-Can struggle to disengage from double teams
-No pass rushing moves.  Needs to develop something
-Inconsistent pad level.  Gets too high at times
-Raw.  Only played 5 years of football
-Can overpersue or bite on fakes
-Can disappear in games

Summary
Sylvester Williams has all the tools to be an All Pro defensive tackle.  Williams has the size and bulk that teams like and is a good athlete.  He has good quickness and explosion that allows him to fire off the ball that can disrupt the backfield.  Williams uses his strength to be a stout run defenders.  He uses his long arms to take on blockers and then shed them when he needs to make a play.  His strong anchor makes it very difficult to move him off his spot and really can clog up the middle.  The problem with Williams is that he is still raw.  He's only played five years of football and it shows up at time.  Despite his size and athletic ability, he isn't a dominant pass rusher.  A big part of that is he hasn't developed any strong moves.  But with his lack of experience he should be able to develop something with a little more coaching.  Williams projects as a 3 technique DT who can use that speed and quickness to penetrate and disrupt.  However with his strength and run stopping ability he could also play the NT spot in the 4-3 and the 5 technique in the 3-4.  That versitility will make him attractive to a lot of different teams.  Williams could go as high as Dallas at 18 but shouldn't fall past the Broncos at the end of the first round.  Teams will fall in love with his skill set and potential.