Broncos get some needed talent

by Ryan Ebert

After not having a pick in the first round, the Denver Broncos make three solid picks in the second day of the 2012 NFL Draft.  The team filled a needed position on defense, added security, and depth in the second and third rounds.  The players drafted in the second round were announced by Bronco great Terrell Davis.

The Broncos first pick at thirty-six overall was used to get Derek Wolfe, a 6'5" 300 lbs. defensive tackle from Cincinnati, with the thirty-sixth overall pick.  Wolfe in four seasons with the Bearcats accumulated 162 tackles (89 solo), a forced fumble, and 19.5 sacks with 9.5 of them coming in his senior season in which he was named the Co-Big East Defensive player of the Year.  Fans at first may have been shocked at the selection, but Denver drafted Wolfe because he is reliable and consistent unlike Jerel Worthy who is talented, but inconsistent.

The second player Denver drafted in the second round with the fifty-seventh overall pick was Arizona St. quarterback Brock Osweiler.  The 6'7" quarterback threw for 4,036 yards, 33 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and had a 63.2 completion percentage in his senior season.  He is expected to be the backup to Manning.  Even though Denver has Caleb Hanie and Adam Weber it is believed that Osweiler will be the number two quarterback.  Though there is a history of quarterbacks with such a height of 6'6" and taller that do not have success in the NFL.  The only real successes in the NFL of quarterbacks who stand 6'6" or taller are Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and the Panthers Cam Newton.

The final pick for Denver of the day was San Diego St. running back Ronnie Hillman drafted at sixty-seventh in the Draft.  Hillman, who stands at 5'9" 200 lbs., put up 1,711 rushing yards with 19 touchdowns and a 5.5 average along with 24 receptions for 270 yards, a touchdown and a 11.3 average in his senior season.  He had a 99 yard run against Wyoming last year, and even topped a few of Marshall Faulk's old school records at San Diego St.  NFL Network's Mike Mayock said, "He's a guy that I think provides instant offense for the Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning's going to love him."

The Broncos still have a few more needs to get in the secondary and could get some depth at the linebacker and wide receiver position, but these picks look to be solid.  Derek Wolfe brings youth to the defensive line and will be playing under Ty Warren, Justin Bannan, and Kevin Vickerson who are all 29 years of age and older.  Brock Osweiler has a tremendous opportunity to learn from one of the best to ever play the game, and is very intelligent of the game himself.  Ronnie Hillman who could bring that "instant offense" may replace Knowshon Moreno if Moreno doesn't step up his game here soon.  Hillman will also be learning from veteran running back Willis McGahee ,who is in his ninth season and will turn 31 in October.

On the last day the Broncos own the 101st, 108th, 137th, and 188th draft picks in rounds four through seven.  Hoping Denver find a few gems and a future star!