BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Pick No. 36 -- Denver Broncos Select Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois

Many thanks to Cannon36 with the prompt and interesting pick at No. 36 for the Denver Broncos. His selection is a guy I've heard next to nothing about, which is why I was pleased that we opted to do a second round. Good stuff. Next up: the Cleveland Brown, represented by the Snow Cone Machine's agent, Dwight White's MissingTooth. - Michael B. -

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With the 36th pick in the NFL Draft the Denver Broncos select - Mikel LeShoure - RB - Illinois

Cons - LeShoure is more of a need pick than a value pick for the Broncos, but it is definitely one that they need to make. LeShoure's maturity will scare off some teams. In 2008 he was involved in a fight with a teammate and ended up with a broken jaw. He was also suspended from the team in 2009 for violation of rules. Since his junior year he has appeared to right himself, but scouts may still be wary of his attitude. He also needs to improve his receiving ability if he ever wants to be considered as a third down back. He also will need to refine his field awareness when it comes to running outside the tackles.

With all of these negative surrounding him, why would the Denver Broncos ever consider him at the 36th slot? Well lets move onto the pros.

Pros:

LeShoure is possibly the best interior running back in the class. He can burst through the line like a raging bull and runs low enough to avoid taking any bruising hits. His moves are very smooth and natural. His biggest strength is definitely his ability to spot any hole his line can create and hit the second level at full speed. Although LeShoure doesn't quite have the mental aspect of outside running understood, he most certainly has the physical tools to do it. He is a very strong runner and makes it difficult for a single defender to bring him down, this results in a lot of broken tackles. He is very much a home run RB, something the Broncos are sorely lacking. LeShoure has said that his previous off-field altercations have made him reconsider his priorities in life. Saying that is one thing, but he has also shown the willingness to become a better football player by studying more film and hitting the weight room. The comparison is a bit obvious, but former Fighting Illini running back Rashard Mendenhall displays this same talent and has really blossomed for our own Steelers.

With Fox as the new head coach we can assume the he will attempt to recreate some of the successes he has had in Carolina over to his new Broncos squad. In my opinion one of his greatest feats for the Panthers was creating such a punishing ground attack by committee. Knowshon Moreno cannot quite be considered a bust yet, but his injuries definitely question his ability to be a feature back on a run-first team. Adding LeShoure to the equation would make things go much smoother for the offense and give Fox the 1-2 punch he became accustomed to in Carolina with Stewart and Williams.

NFL Combine Results
40-Yard Dash: 4.59
Bench press: 21
Vertical jump: 38.0
Broad jump: 10'2
Three-cone drill: 6.82

BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Selections:

ROUND 1

1. Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2. Denver Broncos -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Buffalo Bills -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
4. Cincinnati Bengals -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6. Cleveland Browns -- 'The Snow Cone Machine' A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
7. San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
8. Tennessee Titans -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9. Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
10. Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
11. Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
12. Minnesota Vikings -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
13. Detroit Lions -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
14. St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
15. Miami Dolphons -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
16. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Brooks Reed , DE, Arizona
17. New England Patriots -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
18. San Diego Chargers -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
19. New York Giants -- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
21. Kansas City Chiefs -- Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
22. Indianapolis Colts -- Cameron Jordan, DL, California
23. Philadelphia Eagles -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
24. New Orleans Saints -- Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
25. Seattle Seahawks -- Jake Locker, QB, Washington
26. Baltimore Ravens -- Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
27. Atlanta Falcons -- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
28. New England Patriots -- Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
29. Chicago Bears --Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
30. New York Jets -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
31. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
32. Green Bay Packers -- Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

ROUND 2

1. New England Patriots -- Cameron Hayward, DE, Ohio State (33rd overall)
2. Buffalo Bills -- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame (34th overall)
3. Cincinnati Bengals -- Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State (35th overall)