The Monday Mommy: Who Will Replace Zane Beadles in the Changing of the Guard?
“While disposing of the unused Jello shots and Super Bowl party confetti when you could muster up the heart to do it, you probably realized that the offensive line, which had played well for the bulk of the 2013 season, was now a legitimate cause for concern. “
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Most of us are pumped and ready to move on from the disaster otherwise known as Super Bowl XLVIII. We have tended to and repaired the broken hearts and crushed souls that were thrust upon us that fateful Sunday.
Bolstering the defense via free agency has certainly helped and pushed along the healing. Bringing in T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib to heighten the Broncos secondary along with the addition of linebacker DeMarcus Ware shows that the franchise means business and still have the Lombardi Trophy in the forefront of their mind.
On the offensive side of the ball, there hasn’t been as much movement coming into Denver as there has been heading out. With Chris Kuper deciding to call it a career and Zane Beadles, Eric Decker and Knowshon Moreno all inking contracts with other teams, Denver’s offense has taken a minor hit. The acquisition of former Pittsburgh Steelers’ wideout Emmanuel Sanders should provide Peyton Manning with a greater target than Decker, if- and it’s a big IF, Sanders can remain healthy.
While disposing of the unused Jello shots and Super Bowl party confetti when you could muster up the heart to do it, you probably realized that the offensive line, which had played well for the bulk of the 2013 season, was now a legitimate cause for concern. To make matters worse left guard Zane Beadles, who gave up just one sack in 1,449 snaps last season, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving Denver with zero depth at that position.
With just under six million left in cap space, it’s apparent that John Elway is not going to be signing a big name to the Broncos’ offensive line during free agency. One would have to assume that they are looking to fill that gaping hole with their first round draft pick.
There are two guys who come to mind that fit the bill as first round caliber guards in the upcoming NFL draft. The Broncos should focus on Stanford’s David Yankey and Xavier Su’a-Filo from UCLA. Yankey replaced Jonathan Martin, yes that Martin, at left tackle in 2012 at Stanford but then moved inside to guard for last season, where he earned unanimous All-American honors as well as All Team Pac-12 nod from the league’s coaches. Scouts see him as more suitable in the guard position, where his lateral agility, balance and toughness would be better utilized.
Su’a-Filo, like Yankey played in college at both the left guard and tackle positions. He has been praised for his tireless work ethic, high character and incredible skill set and is a very safe choice for Broncos brass, as he is basically a plug-n-play guy who won’t give you any trouble off the field.
I have always been pretty vocal about my lack of need for mock drafts, both in my column and on the South Stands Fancast. I truly believe they are a waste of time. There are people that spend countless hours creating seven-round mocks of the NFL draft for months in advance of the event, only to have them ripped up and obsolete after the third selection. Picking a few guys that can fill the needs of your team is a more suitable way to analyze the draft as far as I’m concerned.
It is my opinion that the Broncos should focus on the offensive line for their first round selection, but John Elway and the boys could certainly go the defensive tackle or even middle linebacker route. Heck, they could even take a running back for the third year in a row and we wouldn’t be too shocked.
The way the Elway front office era’s drafts have gone so far, nothing should really be too surprising to Bronco fans anymore.
Unless of course they jump up to first pick and grab Johnny Football. Now, that would cause a pretty sweet ruckus.
