Sports Krunch w/DKROM

1. Describe the DBC audition process in-depth and explain what makes it so unique

2. In a recent interview with Alexis Rae Perry on Broncos Country Connected, your amazing director Shawna Peters said she has shown some of the questions on that football test to players and they came away a bit surprised at how advanced some of them were. What was your score on the football test this year and can you recall some examples of such questions Shawna was alluding to?

3. If you had to pick your most memorable moment as a DBC so far, what would it be and why?

4. As we mentioned at the top of the program, your full-time job is an Early Intervention Senior Service Coordinator. Describe the basic roles and responsibilities of that job for us

5. You and I have a mutual friend who has been on this podcast multiple times before…and was a teammate of yours in 2016, your DBC rookie season. Of course, I’m talking about Romi Bean, who is now a world-class sports reporter and anchor for CBS Denver. Did you learn anything specifically from Romi during your time on the team together that has stuck with you ever since?  

6. When Romi came on this program last summer, she described what the 2015 Super Bowl-winning season was like. She told me that from start to finish, you could feel a vibe from top to bottom in the organization that suggested something special was going on and that we can win the whole thing. She also said that the cheerleaders had the same kind of special chemistry as the players did that year and implied that literally EVERYONE in the organization cranked their game up to 11. Now fast forward to this season where the Broncos have Russell Wilson now in the fold. Can you sense a similar vibe throughout the organization that Romi did in 2015?

7. How many community service hours are you required to perform per year and what are some of your favorite causes to support in the Denver and Colorado community?

8. COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERLATIVES

-Best song to get you fired up before a game: “Throw It Back” by Keith Urban & Breland

-Best song to celebrate a Broncos TD to: Anything by Kane Brown

-Best song to celebrate a Broncos victory to: “Proud of the House We Built” by Brooks & Dunn

-Best Luke Combs song to perform a Quarter Break routine to (a song you haven’t performed to as of yet): Beer Never Broke My Heart

-Song that best describes the person you are: “When It Rains It Pours” by Luke Combs

9. How would you define the word cheerleader?

(Photo of McKenna by Rob Hawthorne)

This summer, we will be interviewing several of the 2022 Denver Broncos Cheerleaders. But before then, I wanted to share my personal story as to just how much the women on this team past and present have meant to me

1. As you know, we are just a few days away from the 2022 NFL Draft. Hundreds of young men will see their dreams come true as they will get drafted to play in America’s biggest professional sports league. But the pre-draft process, as I’m sure you’d agree having gone through it yourself, is the grind of grinds with all the training, the Combine, Pro Days, top-30 team visits, etc. Describe what a day in the life of a prospect looks like in the days leading up to the draft

2. A few weeks ago, you and your Bears teammates became your 2022 offseason program with a completely new regime in place. What are your early impressions of new Head Coach Matt Eberflus and new GM Ryan Poles?

3. Even though the Bears are currently undergoing a major roster overhaul that will take some time, there is still a lot of optimism amongst Bears fans because of the promising young QB you block for in Justin Fields. In addition, you have a new OC in Luke Getsy, someone that Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams RAVED about and valued highly during their time together in Green Bay. How will Getsy’s offense get the most out of Justin Fields?

4. For the first three years of your pro career, you got to be in the same building with one of the most renowned coaches in modern NFL history, Vic Fangio. As of right now, his defense is the most popular scheme around the entire league. Why do you think that is the case and how does Fangio’s D make life extra difficult on an offense?  

5. There is a hot center prospect in this year’s draft in Tyler Linderbaum from Iowa. He may be the most talented center to enter the league in quite some time. However, there is buzz that suggests that he may fall out of the first round at least in part because he’s strictly a center with little-to-no experience at guard. Why does the NFL put such a huge premium on interior offensive linemen that can play both center and guard like yourself? 

6. As you can tell by the background in my room, I am a huge Denver Broncos fan. And I believe you may know a certain someone on the Broncos. Of course, I’m talking about your fellow K-State offensive linemen Dalton Risner. Do you know Dalton and if so, how often do you communicate these days? How will the Nathaniel Hackett offense (which likely has several similarities to Getsy’s) allow Dalton to play the best ball of his career this season?

7. How does the job of an OL change when blocking for an athletic QB known for extending plays like a Justin Fields or Russell Wilson?

8. What are some of your favorite causes off the field to champion and why?

9. COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERLATIVES

-Best pre-game warm-up song: “The Boys Of Fall” –Kenny Chesney

-Best TD song: “They Don’t Know” –Jason Aldean

-Best song to help cope with a loss: “Till You Can’t” –Cody Johnson

-Best victory song: “Proud Of This House We Built” –Brooks & Dunn

-Best song for a first dance at a wedding: “Who I Am With You” –Chris Young

1. As you know this spring in the NFL can be summed up in one word: trades. We have seen star player after star player get traded for a bounty of draft picks…and we may not be done. As ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported on Wednesday, 49ers star WR Deebo Samuel has asked for a trade. While the Niners apparently do not intend to honor that request at this time, you know as well as anybody that things in the NFL can change in a flash. Can you see Deebo getting traded either right before or during the draft?

2. Regardless of how the situation with Deebo Samuel unfolds, Peter King said in his Football Morning in America column a week or so ago that he sees a lot of trades going down during the draft. Saints GM Mickey Loomis told King that since the consensus on draft boards across the league is the smallest it has been in a long time, maybe ever, he expects a player the Saints have graded in their top-20 to be within striking distance for them at 49 overall. Another GM said he could see teams without a first-round pick this year trade next year’s first and second to move as far up the board as possible. Just how robust do you see the trade market being on Draft Day itself?

3. To summarize how much I LOVE football, both my favorite professional sports period are NFL teams. One is the Denver Broncos, and the other (I believe they’re your favorite NFL team) the Chicago Bears. What is the latest intel you’re hearing about the draft plans of both of those teams?

4. LISTENER QUESTION: The Packers have historically preferred to wait until the second round to draft a WR. Do you think Green Bay actually drafts a WR in the first round this year?

5. While this year’s QB class is very underwhelming, quarterbacks still figure to be a central theme for how the first round unfolds. We will very likely see three signal callers get their names called next Thursday night, if not more. The only mystery is when exactly they’ll come off the board. So here’s a hypothetical. Let’s say the Panthers at six stay put and draft one of the top three OT’s, when would you anticipate the first QB being selected? How many QB’s do you think go in the first round when all is set and done?

6. With just a week before the draft, we always tend to get hot buzz about certain players rising up boards and others falling down the boards. Which players do you believe will get drafted much earlier than anticipated, and which players do you believe will be drafted much later than anticipated?

7. MOCK DRAFT 5.0

-Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson

-Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux

-Texans: Travon Walker

-Jets: Sauce Gardner

-Giants: Evan Neal

-Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu

-Chargers [from Giants]: Charles Cross

-Falcons: Kyle Hamilton

-Seahawks: Malik Willis

-Jets: Drake London

-Commanders: Derek Stingley, Jr.

-Vikings: Garrett Wilson

-Texans: Trevor Penning

-Ravens: Jermaine Johnson

-Eagles: Devonte Wyatt

-Saints: Jameson Williams

-Giants (from Chargers): Zion Johnson

-Eagles: Chris Olave

-Saints: Kenny Pickett

-Steelers: Desmond Ridder

-Patriots: Trent McDuffie

-Packers: Jordan Davis

-Cardinals: Andrew Booth, Jr.

-Cowboys: George Karlaftis

-Bills: Jahan Dotson

-Titans: Bernhard Raimann

-Bucs: Tyler Linderbaum

-Packers: Christian Watson

-Chiefs: Treylon Burks

-Chiefs: Devin Lloyd

-Bengals: Kenyon Green

-Lions: Lewis Cine

1. Buzz suggests the Giants are one of the two teams in the top-10 that are most likely to trade back. GM Joe Schoen wants to pull off a similar trade the division-rival Eagles just made with the Saints and get an additional 2023 first-round pick. However, the feeling around the NFL is that there isn’t a player in this draft worth spending such capital to trade up for, which means that such a haul is unlikely for the Giants. That said, should the Giants accept an offer that includes say an extra second AND extra third next year?  

2. In recent weeks, it has become easier to decipher what the Commanders intend to do compared to most teams. First, they give up A LOT to trade for Carson Wentz. And Ron Rivera, who rarely attends Pro Days unless they have players his team is VERY high on, was spotted at the Ohio State Pro Day watching Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Based on those tealeaves, would it be somewhat of a surprise if a WR is not the pick for Washington at 11? 

3. It’s been two weeks since Eagles GM Howie Roseman shook up the draft with that aforementioned blockbuster trade of draft capital with the Saints. And given Roseman’s trademark for always being willing to wheel and deal his way both up and down the board, he may not be done. Do you think it’s more likely he spends one of his two remaining firsts and one of his two thirds to trade up on draft day, or do you think it’s more likely he trades back from one of those two firsts?

4. Looking at the Cowboys roster needs and their pre-draft activity, I think the pick at 24 overall will either be an interior offensive lineman to replace Connor Williams, a WR to help replace Amari Cooper or a defensive end to replace Randy Gregory. Do you see the Cowboys going in any other directions with that pick? 

5. Giants 3-Round Mock

-(5): Kayvon Thibodeaux

-(7): Sauce Gardner

-(36): Devin Lloyd

-(67): Daniel Faalele

-(81): Darian Kinnard

6. Commanders 3-Round Mock

-(11): Drake London

-(47): Breece Hall

7. Eagles 3-Round Mock

-(15): Chris Olave

-(18): Devonte Wyatt

-(51): Christian Harris

-(83): Isaiah Likely

-(101): Martin Emerson

8. Cowboys 3-Round Mock

-(24): Kenyon Green

-(56): Quay Walker

-(88): Jeremy Ruckert

1. As of right now, buzz suggests the Jaguars decision on who to select with that first overall pick will come down to pass rushers Aidan Hutchinson or Travon Walker. But there is a level of risk in selecting either one of them and a big reason why is this: it can be argued that either Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu are better than any of the Jaguars OT’s right now and thus Jacksonville might be passing on a GOLDEN opportunity to better protect Trevor Lawrence. So, in your view, is it better for the Jags to upgrade the OT position or juice up the pass rush with either Hutchinson or Walker?

2. The Texans enter this draft with eleven total picks (including five in the top-80) and the worst overall roster in the NFL. Thus, they could literally go in any direction with their two first-round picks. But my educated guess is that Nick Caserio and Lovie Smith would ideally love to leave Day 1 of the draft with a new EDGE and OT. So here’s a hypothetical: If the Texans go OT at 3 yet no EDGE they like is available at 13 (and vice versa), what would be the best direction at that pick (CB, WR, other)?

3. The Colts biggest moves this spring were shipping Carson Wentz off to Washington and then subsequently trading for Matt Ryan, who I personally believe is a huge upgrade over Wentz. Does the addition of Matt Ryan make the Colts co-favorites (if not favorites) to win the division this season? 

4. When you look at this Titans roster, they need better OL talent (iOL and OT alike) and more WR/TE depth to help Ryan Tannehill return to his 2019/2020 form. Should the Titans highly consider trading back from 26 in order to give themselves a better shot of addressing those needs in the first two days of the draft? 

5. Jaguars 3-Round Mock

-(1): Kayvon Thibodeaux

-(33): Tyler Smith

-(65): DeMarvin Leal

-(70): Dylan Parham

6. Texans 3-Round Mock

-(3): Evan Neal

-(13): Jermaine Johnson II

-(37): Travis Jones

-(68): Chad Muma

-(80): Jelani Woods

7. Colts 3-Round Mock

-(42): Perrion Winfrey

-(73): Calvin Austin III

8. Titans 3-Round Mock

-(26): Kenyon Green

-(90): Cade Otton

1. If you’re Broncos GM George Paton, do you use the five picks you currently have in the top-150 to move up 10-15 picks in the second round to select a Day 1 difference maker that falls, or do you trade back and accumulate more draft capital, including 2023 picks? 

2. Are the Chargers, at least on paper, currently the most talented team in the AFC West?  

3. While the Raiders may have a scary pass rush tandem and arguably the best cache of offensive weapons in the entire NFL, their offensive line and secondary remain troublesome. In addition, some notable writers said that trading for Davante Adams is riskier than many would think. Why would you think that’s the case…aside from punting on the first two rounds of this draft?  

4. When you look at this Chiefs team right now, arguably the biggest strength on their team outside of Mahomes is their offensive line. Can you see Brett Veach capitalizing on that strength by using this draft to build the Chiefs into more of a physical, “bully ball” team?

5. Broncos 3-Round Mock

-(64): Jalen Pitre

-(75): James Cook

-(96): Channing Tindall

6. Chargers 3-Round Mock

-(17): Jameson Williams

-(79): Sam Williams

7. Raiders 3-Round Mock

-(86): Cole Strange

8. Chiefs 3-Round Mock

-(29): Boye Mafe

-(30): Travis Jones

-(50): Roger McCreary

-(62): Kenneth Walker III

-(94): Greg Dulcich

-(103): Velus Jones, Jr.

1. This spring, the Jets heavily pursued Chandler Jones in free agency and were one of the two finalists to acquire Tyreek Hill via trade. Thus, many believe the Jets will be targeting an EDGE pass rusher and a WR with their two top-10 picks. However, there is also a lot of buzz that the Jets could be eyeing Sauce Gardner, arguably the best corner in this class, at 4 overall. That said, as valuable as the cornerback position is, only four corners have been top five picks over the past 11 drafts. Why would Sauce Gardner be a great pick for the Jets at that spot?

2. After trading for Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins do not pick until 102 overall. But there is a reasonable argument to be made that they’ve quietly built a VERY strong roster on both sides of the ball. On defense, they have an underrated front with Emmanuel Ogbah, Jaelan Phillips and Christian Wilkins and a STACKED secondary with Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Jevon Holland. On offense, they significantly upgraded the offensive line by signing Terron Armstead and acquiring Tyreek Hill gives them one of the scariest groups of offensive weapons in the entire league with Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki, Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. I just can’t find a glaring hole on this Dolphins team outside of the mystery that is Tua Tagovailoa. Can you?

3. When it comes to the Patriots, it can be argued that corner and EDGE are their biggest areas of need, but there’s a decent chance the cupboard in terms of value at both positions could be bare when the Patriots are on the clock at 21 overall. Should that be the case, two other directions they could go are at guard after the departures of Ted Karras and Shaq Mason or off-ball linebacker. If both Devin Lloyd and Zion Johnson are available for the Patriots, who would you take and why?

4. The Bills will be headed into 2022 as a strong Super Bowl favorite, and the acquisition of Von Miller in free agency could indeed turn out to be the final piece of the puzzle. But there are still some areas of concern on this otherwise strong roster. Buffalo could use another boundary corner to line up opposite Tre’Davious White, and they can use a legitimate lead-dog at running back. I am FAR from the biggest fan of selecting a running back in the first round, but if no corner that’s available meets the value of the 25th overall pick, would Breece Hall be a good pick for the Bills there? 

5. Jets 3-Round Mock

-(4): Kayvon Thibodeaux

-(10): Drake London

-(35): Jaquan Brisker

-(38): Tyler Smith

-(69): Chad Muma

6. Dolphins 3-Round Mock

-(102): Channing Tindall

7. Patriots 3-Round Mock

-(21): Jameson Williams

-(54): Roger McCreary

-(85):  Cole Strange

8. Bills 3-Round Mock

-(25): Kaiir Elam

-(57): Breece Hall

-(89): Alec Pierce

1. The defending Super Bowl champion Rams built their championship roster by trading premium draft picks for proven, star talent. They haven’t had a first-round selection since 2016 and will (yet again) only have one pick in the first three rounds this year. And as the saying goes, the NFL is a copycat league, and boy has the Rams strategy been replicated this spring. Star players like Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Khalil Mack, et al were traded in deals that involved a combined seven first-round picks, the most ever in a single month in the common draft era. Is the Rams “F--- them picks” model the new norm in the NFL? 

2. There are varying opinions on the current state of the Seahawks roster. Some, myself included, see a bottom-five roster in the NFL. Yet some others see a team like last year’s Broncos, with solid talent across the board yet a gaping hole at QB. What do you think of Seattle’s roster as it currently stands, and if you’re John Schneider and Pete Carroll, what would be the most ideal place on this roster to begin this post-Russell Wilson rebuild?

3. Even as Draft Day inches closer, the main headline when it comes to the 49ers does not involve who they will select. It remains the future of Jimmy Garoppolo. After trading this and next year’s first-round picks to move up for Trey Lance, the 49ers seemed set to trade Jimmy G but offseason shoulder surgery immediately sunk his trade market and most, if not all the seats in the 2022 edition of “QB Musical Chairs” have already been filled. While the investment in Lance strongly suggests the Niners should hand him the reins this year, the solution is not as simple as many think. Jimmy Garoppolo is still universally LOVED in that locker room. If the 49ers are unable to trade Jimmy G, should he be their starter in 2022?

4. The Arizona Cardinals may have a bit of a dilemma in this draft. On one hand, you have a somewhat disgruntled Pro Bowl QB in Kyler Murray who needs better protection up front (especially on the interior) yet you have a pass rush with a crater-sized hole in it given the departure of Chandler Jones. In the event the board presents equally valid options on both sides, would you prioritize making Kyler Murray happy or filling the void at EDGE?

5. Seahawks 3-Round Mock

-(9): Sauce Gardner

-(40): Matt Corral

-(41): Arnold Ebiketie

-(72): Abraham Lucas

6. 49ers 3-Round Mock

-(61): Travis Jones

-(93): Cam Taylor-Britt

-(105): Cole Strange

7. Cardinals 3-Round Mock

-(23): Zion Johnson

-(55): Logan Hall

-(87):  Myjai Sander

8. Rams 3-Round Mock

-(104): Coby Bryant

1. All the latest speculation when it comes to the Panthers suggests they just might take a swing on a QB in the first round. That is not a surprise given that Matt Rhule’s job is on the line plus how aggressive they’ve been in looking for a long-term heir to Cam Newton for nearly two years. But as you know, this 2022 QB class is underwhelming to say the least…and the Panthers only have one pick in the first 135 selections at this time. If the apple of Matt Rhule’s eye is indeed Kenny Pickett (as many have been speculating for months given Rhule’s attempt to recruit Pickett to go to Temple), shouldn’t the Panthers do everything they possible can to trade back a handful of spots and get more picks, especially if the trade-up market for Pickett isn’t robust? 

2.By trading away Matt Ryan to the Colts, the Falcons have put themselves squarely in the conversation for having the worst roster in the entire NFL outside of Houston. But they now have five top-100 picks (a first, two seconds, and two thirds) in this deep draft and thus a golden opportunity to lay down a solid foundation for the future. Last year, when they had the fourth overall pick, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot went with the absolute best player on their board in Kyle Pitts, even though Pitts plays a position that is not regarded as one of high value. Should Fontenot follow the same approach in this draft, positional value be damned?

3. As of this morning, the Saints had one first-round pick at 18 overall. And just hours before we started recording, they agreed to a BLOCKBUSTER trade of draft picks with the Eagles. Philly dealt picks 16, 19, and 194 to the Saints for picks, 18, 101, and 236 plus a 2023 first-rounder AND a 2024 second-rounder. This gives the Saints three picks in the top 50, including two in the top-20. That means that should the Saints want to move up for a QB, they now have the ammo to do so. However, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller said last week that based on the Saints offseason moves so far, he believes they are prioritizing drafting a left tackle early to replace Terron Armstead rather than a QB. And based on the signings of Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton, this belief makes sense to me. That said, based on what you’re hearing, do you think it’s more likely the Saints make a big move up the board for a QB or LT?

4. Since Tom Brady’s un-retirement, the Bucs have loaded the cannons right back up for another Super Bowl run as Ryan Jensen, Carlton Davis and Chris Godwin re-signed. Plus with the Packers losing Davante Adams and the Rams losing Von Miller, they will likely be the consensus favorite to win the NFC headed into the season. In your view, what area of this Bucs roster needs to be addressed the most in this draft in order for Tampa to maintain pole position in the conference?

5. Panthers 3-Round Mock

-(6): Charles Cross

6. Falcons 3-Round Mock

-(8): Kayvon Thibodeaux

-(43): Nakobe Dean

-(58): Breece Hall

-(74): Trey McBride

-(82): Jalen Tolbert

7. Saints 3-Round Mock

-(16): Kenny Pickett

-(19): Jameson Williams

-(49): Bernhard Reimann

-(98): Greg Dulcich

8. Bucs 3-Round Mock

-(27): George Karlaftis

-(60): Kenneth Walker III

-(91): Carson Strong