NFL Mock Draft 2013: Denver Broncos Select Bjoern Werner

Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

The Denver Broncos had a very good season in 2012 and managed to secure the #1 seed in the AFC. However, they were bounced out by the eventual champs, the Baltimore Ravens. Peyton Manning came back from missing an entire season and didn't seem to miss a beat. The Broncos have a lot to look forward to in 2013 with Manning at the helm, and a talented young core around him.

The Broncos have been one of the busiest teams in the NFL this offseason. There were some big names they needed to bring back, and some other big decisions to be made. Ryan Clady was brought back, while D.J. Williams was let go and he has signed with the Bears. The Dumervil debacle has seen him move on to the Ravens. But the Broncos still managed to bring in Wes Welker, Stewart Bradley, Terrance Knighton, Louis Vasquez, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

DL: This is one of the weakest areas of the team, specifically in the middle. The Broncos will move to a 4-3 this season, which could help. Justin Bannan has yet to resign with the team. Derek Wolfe, who hasn't been very good, will move to 4-3 DE where he should be better. Kevin Vickerson was resigned and Knighton should compliment him at DT. Robert Ayers is their best DE after losing Dumervil. Knighton helps, but this is not a strong group. Probably the biggest need.

LB: This is possibly their best unit. Von Miller is a star, and Wesley Woodyard compliments him well. Stewart Bradley is decent, and he will help add some depth with Joe Mays playing the middle. Again, up the middle is the weak spot for this team. Losing DJ Williams may be tough, but he could have been odd-LB out after the move to 4-3.

DB: The secondary looked bad in the playoff loss. But Champ Bailey had a good season. The Broncos add DRC to address the CB spot. Rahim Moore is solid at FS, but they could use an upgrade at SS over Mike Adams.

OL: After resigning Clady, and bringing in Vasquez, this is a solid group. LG Zane Beadles made the All-Pro team this past season. Depth or an upgrade at Center is possible, but it isn't a major need.

WR/TE: Bringing in Wes Welker makes this a very dangerous WR trio. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker had breakout seasons. Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme work very well under Peyton Manning and this system.

RB: This is a solid trio of backs. But there are still questions. Willis McGahee is getting older. Knowshon Moreno has yet to live up to his draft pick hype. And Ronnie Hillman may never be a 3-down back. They could add depth in the later rounds.

QB: They have Peyton Manning. There isn't much else to say. But even Manning won't last forever. Brock Osweiler is the backup, and he may be groomed to take over. They could still look to add a QB of the future, as there are not too many needs on this team.

Team Needs:

1. DE
2. DT
3. MLB
4. S
5. CB

When I began to write this analysis out a few weeks ago, I left it open ended. But as the time came to make this pick, it became an extremely easy decision, and the write up did as well. Denver needs a good DE moving to their new 4-3 system. But at this pick, it didn't appear there would be any good options worth taking. So I had everything ready to go BPA. Then one of the best pure 4-3 DE slips all the way down to their pick, and boom. Easy choice. Bjoern Werner had a great season at FSU. At the end of the season he was a consensus top 10 pick. For whatever reason, people believed he should be listed as a DE/OLB. His 40-yard time wasn't an indication of being able to play OLB, so people dropped his stock.... Truth is, he is and always was a pure 4-3 DE. He will be just fine. Game tape says it all. Denver Broncos select Bjoern Werner.

Thanks to all the CSC members who participated in this year's community mock draft. Without your help, none of this would be possible.

Below are the complete results from our community mock draft.

Catch up with all of the mock draft selections in our 2013 CSC Community Draft Section.