Who do you want?

[njx9]

so, let's say Carolina either takes, or trades it's pick to someone who wants Newton or Gabbert. meaning we have our pick of every single defensive player. the clock's about to hit zero and you need to make your pick. who's name is on the card?

i know we've gone round and round on DT vs. DE vs. CB, but i honestly have no idea who wants who, specifically, and i'm curious. (also, just added the 5 guys whose names i could remember coming up, it's possible i didn't list someone that someone desperately wants)

[Diehard]

I would take Peterson. I know that won't be popular, but IMO he's the best prospect of the bunch.

I'm leery of both Fairley and Quinn, even though I like what I saw from them on the field. Bowers just had his knee scoped, which isn't encouraging. Dareus is solid but I'm not sure the value is there at #2.

[Cunningham]

i'd take peterson. the guy is a helluva talent, and contrary to popular belief, drafting peterson and improving the front seven are not mutually exclusive.

fairley had an absolutely ridiculous season, and he has all the tools that you could want, but i'd bet a lot of money that he'll end up being a bust. i thought that i wouldn't see another great dt prospect for a while after having both suh and mccoy in last year's draft, and then fairley comes out of nowhere this year. he's too good to be true.

[jCut]

Nick Fairley. Without question. Peterson is the "safe" pick. Fairley's character concerns are overblown. He is nasty on the field, but that is exactly what this defense needs, IMO.

[DanHawkins]

Peterson! Then get Liuget with our first 2nd.

[Timbathia]

at different times in the past month or two I have really wanted PP, Fairley and Bowers if available. I actually dont think I care anymore, as there is a good chance any of them will be an impact player or a disappointment, but right now give me Fairley.

[StrikeAnywhere]

I can't argue with Peterson, I think he's the best talkent in the draft, but I question the impact he can have on a team that can't get at the QB. In my mind, to take that pick I think we have to be sure about a couple of things.

#1 - We have to wipe Ayer's slate clean and be willing to give him a fresh start at DE, believing he can be a real impact player in a 4-3

#2 - We have to be sure that there will be a quality, impact DT to pick up at the top of the 2nd round

If we can do those two things then Peterson makes the most sense in my mind. If we can't, wouldn't we be better off investing in the front 4 and hoping for a boom player there? With constant pressure on the QB we could go far with a fairly average CB combo.

Another player I am interested in is Von Miller. If we could trade down a few spots and grab another pick, I think he would be a great addition to our D.

[njx9]

i think von miller is positionless in a 43. especially when DJ should be playing wlb or should no longer be with the team.

[jCut]

Von Miller could be tried at SLB, but the value just isn't there at #2, to say the least.

[Diehard]

i think von miller is positionless in a 43. especially when DJ should be playing wlb or should no longer be with the team.

It's interesting, Fox was talking about DJ and said he was either a WILL or MIKE in the system they wanted to put in, and the decision where to play him would depend on who they could bring in from the draft/FA. To me, that means they don't like any of the MLB options on the team (since DJ is an obvious fit at WLB) and DJ is their fall-back plan in case they can't get someone who can start in the middle.

As for Von Miller, I think he'd be a good WLB in a 4-3. However, we've already got two decent options at WLB so it seems an unlikely choice.

[njx9]

that would make me really happy. assuming DJ was still half the linebacker he was his rookie year, we'd have roughly 3 of the front seven positions set with talented* players. i haven't looked at any free agency lists, but i have my fingers crossed there's a decent MLB out there and that we can address SLB in the 2nd or 3rd.

* i'm assuming ayers is able to play better at his natural position.

[jCut]

AJ Hawk maybe? He would be the most expensive option.

[Namy]

This would be a tough decision for me. I think I would pull the trigger on Marcel Dareus. He may not have as much "upside" as the other defensive players (whatever the hell that means), but he was a dominant DT in his own right at Alabama.

I think DT is our biggest need and Dareus would fill that void nicely. Fairley is a talented player, but he reminds me too much of Albert Haynesworth: A talented, but lazy and dirty player. With that said, that's all just speculation and Fairley may turn out to be the better DT in the end. Doubt it, but who knows.

Personally, DaQuan Bowers is not far behind Dareus. Either one would be a great pick for the Broncos in my opinion. Reasons to take PP are legitimate. I can sympathize with your arguments, NJX, for getting him. Still, when I think about Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, they can throw all over the field to any receiver if you give them the time. This is where having a push up the middle with Doom and Ayers on the side will be most profitable.

[njx9]

i should note that i won't be upset with any of the options in the poll. anything the coaching staff thinks it needs to improve our defense will make me happy.

i just think, as of right now, that peterson in the first and to DT/DEs in the 2nd maximizes our talent pull. if we go DT/DT/LB, i certainly won't be crying. as down as i may be on fairley and dareus, if fox et al think they're our best picks, more power to them.

[Me Likey Rookies]

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i voted Dareus