Draft Preview: Wide Receivers

I've already touched on the receivers currently on Denver's roster. Rod Smith's play dropped off drastically last year, especially with regard to holding onto the ball, and he can't be counted on as anything more than a third wideout. Unfortunately, no one else on the roster has proven to be capable of stepping up to take over the starter's spot. I know there's hope for Brandon Marshall, but I'd like to respond with this:

• Patrick Jeffers
• Marcus Nash
• Travis McGriff
• Chad Plummer
• Billy Miller
• Chris Cole
• Muneer Moore
• Leroy Fields
• Kevin Kaspar
• Ashley Lelie
• Herb Haygood
• Adrian Madise
• Darius Watts
• Triandos Luke

Those are every receiver drafted by the Broncos under Mike Shanahan before 2005. Not one of them developed into anything resembling an NFL receiver. Even Rod Smith can't be counted, since Denver has the Wade Phillips era to thank for him (to be fair, Jeffers had one decent year with Carolina before being undone by injuries). The best example of Denver's wideout futility can be traced to last offseason, when Denver traded for Javon Walker and traded away Ashley Lelie. No problem, except that Walker was taken with the pick directly after Lelie, meaning Denver basically just admitted to fucking up. So forgive me if I'm from Missouri regarding Marshall.

The glimmer of hope I see is that Mike Heimerdinger is back with Denver, and McCaffrey and Smith both developed the most with him as the receivers coach. It's something at least. Despite the 11 or so receivers already on the roster, there are still some guys who might look good to Denver, especially Jacoby Jones from Lane College. He's 6'3" and 210 pounds, and Shanahan loves him some receivers at around that size from small schools (Marshall, Hixon, Watts, et cetera). Other guys who pass the Shanahan test and should be available late include:

• Legedu Naanee Boise St. 6'2"225 lbs 4.41 40 time
• Jordan Kent Oregon 6'4" 221 lbs 4.50 40 time
• Mike Walker Central Florida 6'2" 209 lbs 4.35 40 time
• Ryan Moore Miami (FL) 6'2" 217 lbs 4.54 40 time
• Aaron Fairooz Central Arkansas 6'5" 209 lbs 4.55 40 time

At the end of the day, I'm not sure it matters who Denver drafts, since history suggests that they're going to suck anyway. Once again- I'd really like to see Brandon Marshall succeed. He and Walker would be a great combo, and almost unstoppable in the red zone. We will see. Another option for a 7th round pick could be Jeff Samardzija, just in case he flames out in baseball.

*Oh, and I'm not going to bother with a tight end preview, since Dan Graham signed a big deal, Scheffler is Cutler's BFF (and put on 30 pounds this offseason), Alexander took a pay cut, and Chad Mustard, Nate Jackson, and Mike Leach are still on the roster. I've even read talk of a Wesley Duke comeback. but if Denver does take one, I'd like it to be Matt Trannon from Michigan State, who's a former basketball player, stands 6'6" 215 lbs, and ran a 4.5 40 yard dash. He's listed as a wide receiver, but I see him more as a tight end.*