April 24, 2008 11:44 AM

Jeff Legwold on the NFL draft

Mark_Wolf(Q) How is this class rated overall and what are the strongest areas?
Jeff_Legwold(A) It's likely considered an average class overall, but very strong at offensive tackle, strong at cornerback, strong at running -- with all of the juniors that came in at the position -- and fairly strong at returner. Defensively it's thin at linebacker, defensive tackle and safety so you may see a lot of teams that lean more toward offense over the weekend.

BigOrange(Q) The Broncos need defensive help. Will they go after a defensive tackle in the first round?
Jeff_Legwold(A) Defensive tackle is one of the thinnest positions on the board...the Broncos won't have a chance at the two best defensive tackles -- Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis -- picking at No. 12. and after that there are no real slam-dunk every-down guys who would contribute as a rookie. they continue to talk to the Jets about trading for Dewayne Robertson. Robertson already failed their physical, the broncos have said, but they continue to talk and that deal is expected to be finalized this weekend.

Mark_Wolf(Q) You're writing about offensive linemen in tomorrow's Rocky. With Matt Lepsis' retirement that would seem an area of need. Who's likely to be available at No. 12 and would Denver use its top pick there?\
Jeff_Legwold(A) If things fall right for the Broncos they would have a shot at Boise State's Ryan Clady or Vanderbilt's Chris Williams. both fit what they do. Clady will have to get past Baltimore and Cincinnati, both teams are looking at tackles and the Bengals have Clady right behind Jake Long on their board.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Many of the mock drafts have Clady falling to the Broncos. What can you tell us about him?
Jeff_Legwold(A) Very athletic tackle, moves well and spent his college career in a spread offense, which means he is farther along in pass protection than a lot of other players. it also means he spent his career largely in a two-point stance and would have to adjust to playing at the point of attack in a more traditional run game. He has played both left and right tackle at boise and came into the draft as a junior. started 37 games in his career -- or every game that he played. needs a little more lower body strength if he's going to be able to handle to power moves of opposing defensive ends, but a little time in an nfl weight room should fix that.

BigOrange(Q) I like Kenny Phillips from Miami. Is he good enough to take at 12?
Jeff_Legwold(A) That's way high for Phillips. Many teams are split between phillips and North Carolina State's Dajuan Morgan as the top safety on the board. but at 12 it would be a reach for both players and it would also mean leaving a lot of other, more highly-rated players on the board to do it and a team should never do that in the first round.

Mark_Wolf(Q) What are the chances Leodis McKelvin will be available at No. 12 and would the Broncos take him there?
Jeff_Legwold (A): Also possible, but there are a few teams above Denver -- Baltimore and New Orleans just to name two -- who would be interested in McKelvin as their second choice if the player they wanted isn't there. He would give immediate impact in the return game and could compete for the nickel spot on defense. My gut says, however, after watching his team struggle to finish drives for a couple years now and the '07 draft being so heavy on defense, the Broncos will lean more toward the offense this year.

BigOrange(Q) Calais Campbell out of Miami by way of Denver South High School saw his production slip some last year. Would he be in the Broncos' plans and do you think they'd look at a defensive linemen in the first two rounds?
Jeff_Legwold(A) They may be more likely to look in the second round -- the 42nd pick, i believe is what they have. that's a good spot and there would be some other defensive linemen there. Campbell has gotten some interest from some 3-4 teams who think he could play end in that look. Campbell could still be around at that point depending when somebody like Kentawn Balmer goes off the board as the third defensive tackle; that would put Campbell in play. if Balmer doesn't go off until late, like say Pittsburgh, then Campbell could wait a little longer to hear his name.

Mark_Wolf(Q) How do you think Brandon Marshall's arm injury has affected the Broncos draft planning?
Jeff_Legwold (A) i think it affected free agency more. They were intent on adding some bodies and did that signing three receivers -- Parker, Colbert and Jackson -- all of whom have started games in the league. So the effect of that likely was that they wouldn't feel the need to draft a receiver very early unless the guy was also a big-time returner, which they do need.

john7(Q) Any chance the Broncos will take a running back?
Jeff_Legwold (A) Mike Shanahan has never done it in the first round, but the opportunity will likely present itself. at least one of the top three backs will be available if the broncos stay put at 12. they were close in '06 and would have taken Maroney if the trade with the rams had not allowed them to move up and take Cutler. So yes there is a chance because they have a lot of questions regarding Travis Henry's injury problems -- he hasn't started 16 games in a season since his second year in the league.

Mark_Wolf(Q) From Jared Matthiesen: Hi Jeff: Who do the Broncos take at #12 and their second round pick? I keep hearing RB Stewart form Oregon but I think C Williams from Vandy should be our guy! Thanks!
Jeff_Legwold (A) Stewart would likely be there. If the Broncos didn't take him he's probably going to Carolina with the following pick. At 12, that may be a few slots too high for Williams, but he's certainly fits what they do and is a tremendous athlete at the position. In the second round, the value of the board there would be an offensive tackle -- a really deep year -- if they haven't already taken one or a returner. i could see a returner at that point who also happens to be a position player as well, somebody like Virginia Tech wide receiver Eddie Royal -- a really good returner.

Mark_Wolf(Q) If Clady isn't available, what about Brandon Albert from Virginia as a first-round pick?
Jeff_Legwold (A) He has a first-round grade to be sure. He's started 37 games at guard. moves well and some people thinks he could move smoothly to tackle as a pro. some in the league believe he's going earlier, possibly to somebody like new england at no. 10.

BigOrange(Q) A little off-topic but what do you think fallout has been to what Jay Cutler had to say about Brandon Marshall?
Jeff_Legwold(A) The fallout is minimal since cutler had just seen marshall -- they went to a Nuggets game together -- a few days before the comments. I think it shows leadership on Cutler's part and the fact he's willing to step forward. For Cutler, though, it means he has to also lead the way in terms of working hard, if he's going to publicly hold others to that standard. but if he's working, getting better and performing well, he is almost expected to raise the level of accountability in the locker room, that's what quarterbacks do.