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Fantasy Football Impact: Denver Broncos 2013 Draft

Draft Recap

Most of Denver’s needs coming into the draft were on defense, but Peyton Manning can hide a lot of weaknesses. Denver focused on improving their D early in this draft, taking three defenders in their first four picks. The pick in this draft that is most notable to fantasy owners is the second round selection of Wisconsin RB Montee Ball. Ball is a proven workhorse who does all the little things that Manning requires of his backs. Denver added Georgia WR Tavarres King in the 5th round and Miami (OH) QB Zac Dysert in the 7th as their only other offensive skill players taken in the draft.

Fantasy Impact

John Elway’s comparison of Montee Ball to Terrell Davis isa bit of a stretch, but expecting a rookie season similar to the top rookie RBs from last season may not be. Clearly, the organization has high expectations for Ball so he should be expected to get plenty of opportunities out of the gates. He has shown the ability to be consistently productive in college while playing in the Big Ten and as a Peyton Manning running back, he’ll gte the benefit of only six- or seven-man fronts, which should open up some running lanes. Expect Ball to be one of the higher drafted rookies in fantasy drafts this fall, and he is in position to provide good return on that investment as he climbs the depth chart this season.

Tavarres King has talent, but was not consistent in his career at Georgia. Still, Manning can make average WRs seem elite, but he will not stand for a lack of focus. If King can keep his head in the game and learn the offense he could eventually become a factor. However, with the depth at wide receiver that the Broncos currently have, targets could be few and far between during King’s rookie campaign. Keep an eye on him in dynasty formats, but this is not a guy you need to draft in redraft formats.

Denver had a somewhat underrated Defense last season, but also lost some key pieces in free agency. The unit got better in the draft with the additions of North Carolina DT Sylvester Williams and USF CB Kayvon Webster, while failing to get a premiere pass rusher to replace Elivs Dummerville.

Draft Results

RoundPickPlayerPositionCollege
128Sylvester WilliamsDTNorth Carolina
258Montee BallRBWisconsin
390Kayvon WebsterCBSouth Florida
5146Quanterus SmithDEWestern Kentucky
5161Tavarres KingWRGeorgia
6173Vinston PainterTVirginia Tech
7234Zac DysertQBMiami (OH)

 

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