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Denver Broncos 2015 NFL Draft Grades

Posted By:

Chris Ransom on 5/28/2015

Denver Broncos 2015 NFL Draft Grades

Chris Ransom grades the Denver Broncos 2015 NFL Draft. Does Denver have a bright future after trading up to get Shane Ray with the twenty-third pick in the 2015 NFL Draft?

23. Shane Ray, 3-4 ROLB, Missouri A- Grade

There were only 3 things that kept Shane Ray from being a top 5 pick because Ray had a breakout season with 14.5 sacks in 2014. The first was Ray's targeting play that caused him to be ejected from the SEC Title Game. Scouts took a mental note that Ray can hit too hard to the point where you are penalized kind of like James Harrison with the Steelers. Second, Ray missed the 2015 NFL Combine with a leg injury. Third he got busted for marijuana and is now under the NFL's substance abuse program for the next two years. Those three incidents caused Shane Ray to fall nearly 20 spots to Denver at 23.

Besides being an elite sack artist, Ray also trained with Vic Beasley leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft. Shane Ray also had an excellent Pro Day at Missouri. Siting behind DeMarcus Ware at 3-4 right outside linebacker and learning the Broncos' 3-4 scheme while getting clean off the field with his substance abuse program is the best thing for Shane Ray at this point.

Denver gets an A- grade here. The Broncos had Ray graded out as a top 5 player, and John Elway finally had the guts to trade up for him at 23.

59. Tyler Sambrailo, LT, Colorado State A- Grade

Denver had a first round grade on Tyler Sambrailo as well. Sambrailo was originally starting Sambrailo at left guard for the Denver Broncos in 2015-2016 which is why this pick got an A grade.

I loved what I saw from Sambrailo at left tackle until the Senior Bowl. I think this guy is a solid run blocking left guard, but a great pass blocking right guard. With Ryan Clady tearing a ligament, he is on injured reserve. This means that Sambrailo will take over at left tackle. If Sambrailo plays like he did during the regular season then this could be a good pick. If Sambailo plays like he guy we saw during Senior Bowl week then this is gonna be a long year for Peyton Manning.

92. Jeff Heurmann, TE, Ohio State D Grade

Denver already has Owen Daniels and Virgil Green as their starter and #2 tight end after losing Julius Thomas. James Casey is listed as the third string tight end at the moment, but Casey could move to fullback. If that happens Heurmann would be the third string tight end. Right now Heurmann is the fourth string tight end on this depth chart.

I like what Heurmann brings to the table in terms of value. Anyone who takes a fourth string player in the third round gets a D grade regardless of how good the player's value is at this point.

133. Max Garcia, C, Florida B+ Grade

Denver signed Gino Gradkowski of the Baltimore Ravens to be their starting center. Denver also traded last years starting center Manny Ramirez to Detroit.

Like Cameron Erving and Mitch Morse, Max Garcia has the versatility to play any position on the offensive line at left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, or right tackle. Right now Garcia is listed as a backup behind Gradkowski on the Broncos' depth chart.

There's a realistic chance that Garcia might start as a rookie. I could see him beating out Gradkowski for the center job in training camp which is why this pick received a B+ grade.

164. Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane C- Grade

Lorenzo Doss is currently the #6 cornerback on the depth chart. All five corners that had different roles on the team are back this season. Doss will challenge Carter for the quarter cornerback as the #5 cornerback on the depth chart.

203. Darius Kilgo, NT, Maryland B Grade

Darius Kilgo is a 2 down 1 gap penetrator at 6-5 319 lbs. He's effective if he can get by in between the center and the right guard to get to the line of scrimmage. Kilgo can contribute if you give him a 3-4 left end like Calias Campbell or J.J. Watt because those guys make right guards obsolete with their ability at 3-4 left end.

Kilgo could start eventually. For now he will serve as a backup to Sylvester Williams.

250. Trevor Siemian, QB, Northwestern F Grade

Denver has Peyton Manning as a starter, Brock Osweiler as a backup, and Zac Dysert as a third stringer, and Trevor Siemian as a fourth stringer.

This pick makes no sense. If Siemian can keep his roster spot, he could be a third stringer and possibly have a chance to start if Osweiler and Dysert both screw up assuming Osweiler remains a Bronco in the event that Peyton Manning doesn't retire because Osweiler is in a contract year. I thought there were better quarterbacks left as well which is why this pick got an F grade.

251. Taurean Nixon, CB, Tulane F Grade

Denver already had enough cornerbacks on their roster. They didn't need to get another one.

252. Josh Furman, SS, Oklahoma State F Grade

Josh Furman played cornerback at Oklahoma State, but he's moving to strong safety without any experience at the position. I'm not sure being a third string strong safety will get Furman on the final roster.

Denver Broncos Team Grade: C- Grade

Denver got a few good picks for 2016 and beyond with Ray, Garcia, and Kilgo. Right now this looks like a terrible draft short term with only one starter in Sambrailo.

This wasn't Elway's best draft as general manager. Elway laid an egg with the Broncos' final three selections. It's almost like he knows Peyton Manning won't win a second Super Bowl, so he's burning bridges with the team now. If Elway made better choices this would probably be a C+ grade and possibly even a B grade.

Denver Broncos 2014 NFL Draft Grades

Posted By Chris Ransom on 5/30/2014

Chris Ransom breaks down the Broncos 2014 NFL Draft grades.

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Denver Broncos 2015 NFL Draft Grades

Denver Broncos 2015 NFL Draft Grades

23. Shane Ray, 3-4 ROLB, Missouri A- Grade

59. Tyler Sambrailo, LT, Colorado State A- Grade

92. Jeff Heurmann, TE, Ohio State D Grade

133. Max Garcia, C, Florida B+ Grade

164. Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane C- Grade

203. Darius Kilgo, NT, Maryland B Grade

250. Trevor Siemian, QB, Northwestern F Grade

251. Taurean Nixon, CB, Tulane F Grade

252. Josh Furman, SS, Oklahoma State F Grade

Denver Broncos Team Grade: C- Grade

Denver Broncos 2014 NFL Draft Grades

Posted By Chris Ransom on 5/30/2014

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