April 26, 2008 5:09 PM
Happy returns
The Broncos used their second pick of the day -- 42nd overall -- to get the kick returner they coveted in Eddie Royal.
The Virginia Tech wide receiver is a little undersized for some coaches' tastes -- 5-9 5/8, 184 -- but he plays a physical game and he is one of the best kick returners on the board. An explosive player who averaged an eye-opening 14.7 yards per punt return in '07 with two TDs and averaged 13.2 yards per punt return in '06 with a touchdown.
This is an area the Broncos had a huge need in their continued struggles with field position in the kicking game in recent seasons.
He ran 4.4s in his 40s in his workouts and 24 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press showed his strength.
Really decisive in the return game, finds the seam and hits it.
April 26, 2008
8:47 PM
chartguy writes:
The Royal pick is as bad as the Clady pick was good.
The blockers on special teams are players from the second string defense. The first string Bronco defenders aren't very good, so the second stringers are lousy. That's why the stats have been so bad on special teams, because there's been no depth on defense, for years. This should have been a defensive player. I don't care whether it was D-line, linebacker or safety, but they needed somebody on D, more than a receiver/returner.
Even if Royal's a great returner, he's not going to have the blocking to break free. They'll sour on him, and trade him for not much, and he'll do well with somebody else. That's why Domenik Hixon worked for the Giants, but didn't work here -- he didn't have the blockers.
April 26, 2008
8:48 PM
LinNM writes:
I hate this pick! With only 2 picks in the top 100, the 2nd second round pick needed to be a potential starter. A kick returner!?!?
He'll touch the ball *maybe* 2-3 times a game.
This is why the Denver drafts have been horrible. After the first round we over-reach OR worse draft interesting projects in rounds 2 through 4
April 27, 2008
8:23 AM
macBronco writes:
I see this as a great pick for "balance." If Royal helps us get better field position, the offense will be more effective because they're working a shorter field.
They're more effective, they score more. Less nonproductive drives means less punts from deep in our own end. Therefore, defense is on the field less, meaning they aren't as tired and should perform at a higher level.
All this stems from better starting field position.
Plus, it makes juice and peels potatoes!