With the 11th pick of the Revenge of the Birds community mock draft, the Denver Broncos select...
Rolando McClain | Linebacker | Alabama
Strengths: McClain is clearly the best inside linebacker of the draft, and for him to slip to the 11th pick would be a blessing in disguise for the Broncos. He can read and react quickly to the offense, has the speed to shoot the gap and make a play on the ball, and will commit himself to studying opponents game in and game out. McClain has a good initial drop in coverage and will stay stride for stride with a receiver. He's a machine for a tackler and likes to lay big hits on the ball carriers. He's an instant leader of the defense, even as a rookie.
Weaknesses: There aren't many holes in his game, other then his pass rushing techniques. He relies on bull rushing and needs to learn how to use better handwork for the offensive lineman in the NFL. He can get caught up in the mix sometimes and find himself out of position. Although he's very quick for a linebacker his size, he can get beat in pass coverage at times and may give up in pursuit of the receiver is out of reach.
Why the Broncos will draft him: Denver had the 26th worst run D in the league last year. They have shored up their NT position for the time being with 33 year old Jamal Williams signed to a 3 year deal. McClain, who played on a similar style D at Alabama, could provide them with a starter in the middle to replace recently cut Andra Davis, and could be a lead signal caller on the Defense for years to come.
Thanks to AJBirdwatcher for making the pick for the Broncos. That puts AlaskanCard on the clock with the Miami Dolphins pick and lorenzothedog on deck with the San Francisco 49ers pick. The picks and who selected who are after the jump...
- St. Louis - Sam Bradford, QB
- Detroit - Russell Okung, OT
- Tampa Bay - Ndamukong Suh, DT
- Washington - Bryan Bulaga, OT
- Kansas City - Eric Berry, S
- Seattle - Gerald McCoy, DT
- Cleveland - Jimmy Clausen, QB
- Oakland - Trent Williams, OT
- Buffalo - Bruce Campbell, OT
- Jacksonville - Joe Haden, CB
- Denver - Rolando McClain, LB
- Miami - AlaskanCard
- San Francisco - lorenzothedog
- Seattle - 7ftCard
- New York Giants - najmsh
- Tennessee - kj197728
- San Francisco - lorenzothedog
- Pittsburgh - Cardscrazy247
- Atlanta - durst
- Houston - DaCards
- Cincinnati - LAcardsfan
- New England - Hadrarius
- Green Bay - notliketheboardgame
- Philadelphia - robloosli
- Baltimore - Skii
- Arizona - ROTB community
- Dallas - manderson367
- San Diego - WhiffSD
- New York Jets - Drullin'OverDaCards
- Minnesota - tooman234
- Indianapolis - TheAngelsColts
- New Orleans - Reo Hayes