1 - Ryan Clady, T, Boise State (6-6, 311); 2 - Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech (5-10, 184); 4 - Kory Lichtensteiger, C, Bowling Green (6-2, 298); 4 - Jack Williams, CB, Kent State (5-9, 186); 5 - Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State (6-1, 221); 5 - Carlton Powell, DT, Virginia Tech (6-2, 288); 6 - Spencer Larsen, LB, Arizona (6-2, 234); 7 - Josh Barrett, SS, Arizona State (6-2, 223); 7 - Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas (6-1, 240)
Analysis: Denver shocked absolutely no one by taking Clady, who will immediately step into the team's left tackle hole, at No. 12. The selection of Royal was a bit more curious, since more highly-touted (and bigger) players like Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed were there for the taking. Lichtensteiger will make the team as a backup if he takes to the club's zone-blocking scheme, and look for Torain or even Hillis to be trotted out as the next low-round running back marvel in Denver. Williams and Barrett were good value picks for the Broncos in the secondary, Barrett was seen as a Top-3 strong safety candidate in this draft by some. The team failed to locate a top-notch linebacker, as Larsen projects as more of a special teams type.
Bottom Line: Clady looks like a stud, and there a handful of diamonds-in-the- rough among the other eight selections.
Grade: B+
