The Denver Post is reporting that the Broncos are leaning towards Alabama DT Marcell Dareus with the No. 2 overall pick.
• The Broncos will draft a dominant defensive tackle — Marcell Dareus is the leader in the clubhouse — or trade the pick if they can get Patrick Peterson or Von Miller several picks later. Perhaps they can persuade the 49ers, at No. 7 (yes), the Titans (8), Washington’s Mike Shanahan (10th; he grabbed Jay Cutler at 11) or the Vikings (12) to trade up with additional draft choices for the Broncos’ pick.
With teams being unable to trade 2012, 2013 and 2014 picks, it’s going to be difficult for the Broncos to move down. They’ll either have to take less value than a team holding the No. 2 pick would, or stay put and take whichever player is on the top of their board. I would imagine that the latter is the more likely scenario.
In my latest mock draft (which I compiled earlier this month), I have the Broncos taking Dareus at No. 2:
No. 2 Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
I had the Broncos taking Da’Quan Bowers with this pick in my second mock, but since then they’ve released Jamal Williams and, in a rather surprising move, Justin Bannan. Those moves open up a huge need at defensive tackle and Dareus’ stock continues to soar. The question is, will the Broncos look to trade this pick knowing that QB-needy teams draft behind them? They may lose the opportunity to take Dareus, but maybe they can trade back and still land Nick Fairley (a nice consolation prize).
Combine Comparisons: Marcus Thomas; Corvey Irvin; Red Bryant.
