The Case for Eddie Lacy

Eddie Lacy may be the key to a Super Bowl win for the Broncos.

There’s 2 prevailing theories come draft day, the first and most predominate for most teams is drafting the best player available. The second is drafting by position. The Broncos should consider drafting by position this season because in my mind without better players at key positions they won’t make the big jump in the playoffs or the Super Bowl. The need for better defensive players is critical for the Broncos, but I think they need to go RB or CB first in the 2013 NFL Draft. Conventional wisdom says draft the best available but is that true this year?

If the Broncos are depending on Willis McGahee to get through a 16 game season and the playoffs they're making a big mistake. McGahee has been one of the great comeback warrior stories in the NFL. The brutal knee injury he had before he came into the NFL was as bad as any ever and at 31 years old, that’s ancient considering his knee. 

As a recent interview with John Elway indicates Knowshon Moreno is the #3 RB behind Ronnie Hillman. So if Hillman is the Broncos primary backup the Broncos can't expect to go deep in the playoffs with him as the starter should McGahee hail out. Elway says he'll draft for immediate impact but I can't believe that a RB wouldn't be high on the list. Maybe the Broncos are looking to trade Moreno and/or pick up a RB in free agency but I’m convinced that depending on McGahee to remain healthy come playoff time is a risky proposition.

The O is in good shape except at RB. They’ll score points but in crunch time they’re going to need a good tough between the tackles, 3rd & short and a goal line RB late in the season.

The Broncos need added depth at DB, DL and LB. The DB situation is far from settled. Champ Bailey is not the same CB he was in his prime, the last 2 years his speed and coverage skills have started to erode. They should move him to Safety and look for a speedy young cover guy to fill his Corner spot. He may not like it but if he’s being honest with himself he knows this is what is best for the team.

But let’s get back to the RB situation for a minute, if the whole idea of signing Peyton Manning was to win the Super Bowl “NOW” I doubt very seriously that with his small window they can do it without one. Too many forget that part of the reason Manning was so successful with the Colts was because they had Edgerrin James in the backfield. Without James in his early years he’s hard to say if Manning would have put up the kind of stats and wins had he not been his teammate.

In his prime he was one of the best in the game. James was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1999 and was All-Pro 4 times. James left Indy in 2005 as their all time leading rusher with 9,226 yards. He had 64 rushing TD’s and 11 receiving TD’s in his career at Indy. In his 11 year career he racked up 12, 246 yards on the ground and 3,364 yards through the air. Super Bowls are won with Defense but you don’t see many even getting there without a quality RB.

So if there’s an opportunity to grab Eddie Lacy from Alabama in the 1st round or make a trade for him the Broncos should jump on him. There are question marks about his receiving and pass blocking abilities because he’ll improve that part of his game but his ground game is tough and solid. He’s just the kind of bruising tough yards RB the Broncos need. IMO he’ll be the biggest impact player the Broncos could ask for if they get him in the draft. It's doubtful we have a shot at him but we can hope there's a way to make it happen. If not Lacy they need to look elsewhere.