The 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft is underway, with each SB Nation blogger making selections for their respective teams. John Bena, lead blogger at SB Nation's Denver Broncos blog, Mile High Report checks in to make the eighth overall selection in this year's mock. Take it away, sir!
2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick 11
With the 11th overall pick in the 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Denver Broncos have selected Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida.
John Bena says: A center at #11? Really? Perhaps a surprise, but I think Josh McDaniels has proven by now he is anything but traditional. The Broncos had 1 major problem in 2009, despite all the attention given to the quarterback position - they were dominated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
The Broncos fixed the defensive line through free agency. The offensive line was not so fotunate. The Broncos were dominated on the interior throughout the season. It seemed every key moment in a game came down to a 3rd or 4th and short situation, and each time the Broncos were stuffed, mainly because of a lack of presence inside. After releasing Casey Weigmann after the season ended, the Broncos really don;t have a center on the roster - save for Dustin Fry. That means the Broncos need an upgrade, why not go after the best prospet in the draft?
Pouncey will provide the Broncos the best interior power blocker in the draft. He has all the intangibles you look for - size, tougness, smarts - and will bring a bit of nasty to the Broncos offensive line. Perhaps that best fit is the fact that Pouncey played at Florida, where the Gators ran a spread offesne. Like the Gators, the Broncos ran much of their offense out of the shotgun. Sure, this might be a bit of a stretch to some, but is getting the 17th or 18th best player at #11, while filling a huge need really that big of a deal? Even if it is a Center? I think not, especially if the Draft goes down the way it has in this Mock Draft.
Mocking Dan reacts: This was a surprising but not inconceivable choice. Pouncey is arguably the best interior blocker in this year's draft. Denver really needs a good center. The current projected starter, Dustin Fry, hasn't started a game and seen little playing time. And every area where Fry is good – toughness, power, phone booth blocking – Pouncey is his equal. Where Pouncey is a clear upgrade is his athletic ability. Like Tom Nalen, he can get out on the move and take on defenders in the open field.
While Pouncey will have to adjust some to always having the quarterback under him, it shouldn’t be an issue. He’s the kind of lineman a team can plug in the starting lineup for years.
Mocking the Draft’s Top 5 remaining prospects: 1 - C.J. Spiller/RB/Clemson, 2 - Derrick Morgan/DE/Georgia Tech, 3 - Dez Bryant/WR/Oklahoma State, 4 - Everson Griffen/DE/USC, 5 - Jermaine Gresham/TE/Oklahoma
Sound off, SB Nation! What say you of the Pouncey pick? Please be sure to check out Mile High Report for all of your Broncos needs.
See More:
