The Denver Broncos ranked in the top half of the league in sacks and QB hits allowed in 2014. They also fared pretty well in the running game. Now, a lot of that can be attributed to Peyton Manning's quick decisions and release. But as we saw, Manning began to wear down towards the end of the season and the entire team suffered because of it. So to better protect Manning and to improve the team's 15th ranked rushing offense, the Broncos should be looking at offensive linemen in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Florida State's Cameron Erving would be a quality addition to this roster that has been on the cusp of a championship over the last several seasons.
"On the First Draft podcast posted...we discussed how Erving is a remarkable story as a player who actually increased his draft stock when he moved from left tackle to center, where he was absolutely dominant down the stretch for the Seminoles last season," ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. wrote in his Mock Draft 4.0. "The Broncos have the quarterback, and they have the weapons, but to remain Super Bowl contenders they need to solidify the interior of the offensive line, and it's hard to do any better than Erving at this point. He's a versatile offensive lineman and the kind of player who will help Denver keep the title window wide open."
Denver's line is in a bit of limbo at the moment and Erving could be a stabilizing force for years to come. Not only would he help keep Manning's ever shrinking title window open a bit longer, but he could also fit perfectly into head coach Gary Kubiak's zone running scheme. Really, this move makes perfect sense for both sides and the Broncos should seriously consider it with the 28th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
