2011 BGN Community Mock Draft Pick #46: The Denver Broncos

by Bob_Q on Apr 15, 2011 8:01 PM EDT in Events

With the forty-sixth pick in the 2011 BGN Mock Draft, David_K selects...

Kyle Rudolph - TE, Notre Dame

So far in this draft, the Broncos have been drafting defensively with CB Patrick Peterson and DT Marvin Austin- two strong players that should make an immediate impact. While there are still many holes in this defense, I am going to go with an offensive pick. Kyle Rudolph is the best tight end coming into this draft. He's got great size at 6'6" 265.

Now, I know, I know.... nobody likes Notre Dame so I am expecting to hear from a lot of naysayers, but there's no denying that he is a solid blocker with excellent catching ability. Especially with RT being a weak spot for the Broncos, Rudolph will be able to pick up some slack and help bring the Broncos out of the "top 10 most sacked" club.

The Broncos' Daniel Graham is 32 years old and just not cutting it anymore. Also, any time you can get a #1 prospect in their respective position with the 46th pick, you should jump on it. I debated choosing an ILB, but decided against it due to the depth of LB's still available: Greg Jones, Bruce Carter, Quan Sturdivant, Brooks Reed, KJ Wright... the list goes on. The Broncos can still grab good LBs down the line (which they desperately need). I also thought about Safeties, but there aren't really any worth taking this high especially after drafting Peterson. That being said, I think most picks after this one should weigh heavily on the defensive side of the ball.

More after the jump...

In the last six years, a Bronco's tight end has only gone over 300 yards receiving once, and the following number of touchdowns since from 05-10 (six seasons) starting with the most recent: 0, 1, 4, 2, 2, 3. That's not much offensive help. With a team that is ranked 7th in passing yards and tied for only 15th in TD's, they need help in the red zone. This is where Rudolph with his large size and dependable hands comes into play. He reminds me of a young Tony Gonzales. With his blocking ability and red zone assistance, I think Rudolph would make a great fit with the Broncos.

The one glaring downside to this is that he injured his hamstring last season that eventually became a season-ending injury (missed last 6 games). He was actually on pace to having a record-breaking season at Notre Dame. Luckily, hamstrings most always heal back 100% as opposed to ACL/MCL injuries so I do not think it will be a problem in his future. He participated during his pro day at a very high level and showed he is fully recovered.

Next on the clock will be firstroundpick with the St. Louis Rams.

Previous Picks: 1 - Nick Fairley 2 - Patrick Peterson 3 - Blaine Gabbert 4 - Cam Newton 5 - Von Miller 6 - Marcell Dareus 7 - Prince Amukamara 8 - A.J. Green 9 - Da'Quan Bowers 10 - Corey Liuget 11 - Robert Quinn 12 - Julio Jones 13 - Tyron Smith 14 - Jimmy Smith 15 - Mark Ingram 16 - Cameron Jordan 17 - Ryan Kerrigan 18 - Anthony Castonzo 19 - Mike Pouncey 20 - Adrian Clayborn 21 - Phil Taylor 22- Stephen Paea 23 - Brandon Harris 24 - Aldon Smith 25 - Gabe Carimi 26 - Torrey Smith 27 - Justin Houston 28- J.J. Watt 29 - Nate Solder 30 - Akeem Ayers 31- Derek Sherrod 32 - Cameron Heyward 33- Muhammad Wilkerson 34 - Allen Bailey 35 - Jabaal Sheard 36 - Marvin Austin 37 - Jonathan Baldwin 38 - Jake Locker 39 - Colin Kaepernick 40 - James Carpenter 41 - Christian Ponder 42 - Aaron Williams 43 - Ryan Mallett 44 - Rahim Moore 45 - Leonard Hankerson

Poll

Do you agree with this pick?

Yes

102 votes

No

38 votes

140 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I definitely see why you went for a TE and not LB or S. RB might have also been an option with LeShoure still available.

AR should have to wear a Flava Flav necklace until he learns how to manage a fucking clock.

by KByars on Apr 15, 2011 8:43 PM EDT reply actions

This could be a great pick, but John Fox thinks talented tight end’s a stupid. No way he drafts one before the 4th, if he does at all.

Fly Eagles Fly, on the road to Vicktory!

by KeepSwinging on Apr 15, 2011 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

Does he?

I didn’t read that anywhere. I did read somewhere that running back and TE were their most glaring holes. I think that is a pretty ridiculous statement considering they had one of the worst (if not THE worst) defenses in the league last year.

I don’t agree with Fox on that statement though. An effective tight end can absolutely be a game changer and keep the defense off balance and protect the quarterback. Seems pretty important to me.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Apr 16, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m with you on a talented TE being a game changer, especially in the red zone. I don’t know why Fox doesn’t think more highly of them. I read on Walter Football about his lack of interest in them and looking at who’s played TE for them in the past backs it up.

Fly Eagles Fly, on the road to Vicktory!

by KeepSwinging on Apr 16, 2011 3:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Young Tony G?, that is a bold statement my friend.

by The Reddgie on Apr 15, 2011 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Tis

I did say “reminds” and “young” so I’m not saying he will be the next TG. He might though. Ya never know.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Apr 16, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

@Bob_Q

did you get my e-mail?

"If Revis has an Island, Asomugha should have a continent." - #5
"Or if the rest of the defense if even decent then
our two Rookie safety’s don’t have to go all Ed Reed-Palamolu-Dawkins-super sayan badass mode to help us win." - W_E
Sending pics of your junk > dog killing > generally being a douche > sexual assault allegations > being on the Cowboys.

by number5 on Apr 16, 2011 3:11 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah

Just replied. Thanks!

"I like prime rib and I'd love to win a Super Bowl. I'm hungry for both of them." -Andy Reid

by Bob_Q on Apr 16, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

No DT so far

I don’t like this at all. Fox doesn’t really use pass catching TE’s and has never drafted a TE this early. TE, while a slight need, isn’t really a high priority. The Broncos need at least two quality DT’s and one good LB in this draft.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 16, 2011 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

Did you read what I wrote first? I explained in my very first sentence that they did get a DT with Marvin Austin and I explained why a LB wasn’t drafted here. After Austin, talent in the DL drops significantly. I do agree with you in that traditionally Fox hasn’t used TE’s but it’s because he’s never really had talent there. I also think it’s time for him to make some changes in the way he coaches football teams.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Apr 16, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you are misunderstanding me

Denver needs two starter worthy DT’s, and having one rookie and Kevin Vickerson isn’t where Denver wants to be. As for Fox and TE’s, he, personally, has never drafted a TE this high, ever, has never used a TE taken this high, and has never run a scheme that uses TE. Neither has OC McCoy, who worked with both Fox, who doesn’t use them, and McDaniels, who never used them. Fox could change, but he was hired to fix the ship, not tinker with his coaching strategy for a few seasons.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 17, 2011 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I must admit

I’m quite impressed with your knowledge of John Fox’s and McCoy’s use and opinion of tight ends. May I ask who you might have drafted? Would you have gone with the next best DT? There aren’t many on the board that can’t be had with their 67th pick.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Apr 18, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I would have gone with another DT

Allen Bailey for example. Also RB is a need considering our roster is pretty thin and there is no FA. If there is FA, RB is an easy fix. Lastly RT is a need for the early rounds as well, since the Broncos really have no RT on the roster, with starter Harris likely being a FA.

The only reason I know so much about Fox and McCoy’s system is because it’s a big debate on MHR, so being uneducated on this topic is a bad thing. I am a fan of TE heavy systems, but just from a logical standpoint, it seems unlikely.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 19, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Ah, I did not realize you were a Broncos fan

Makes more sense. If Bailey were still on the board I would have grabbed him in a heartbeat. Unfortunately he was picked 14 picks ahead of this one as were most other good DT’s worth taking. You can see all the picks in the article. Very shallow on DT’s. Leshoure could have been an option though.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Apr 19, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions