Peyton Manning Broncos
Peyton Manning might not have the protection he got last year with several of his offensive linemen getting hurt. Reuters

The Denver Broncos had a successful 2012 regular season, but just as disappointing of a finish in the playoffs.

After winning 13 games in Peyton Manning’s first year in Denver, the club was upset by the Baltimore Ravens in their first postseason game. On Thursday, the team will look to add some players that can help prevent a similar letdown in 2013.

Denver has the 28th overall pick the 2013 NFL Draft, and the organization can go several different ways at the end of the first round.

Bjoern Werner

If the majority of mock drafts are correct, there’s a good chance that Werner will end up with the Broncos at No.28.

After losing Elvis Dumervil as a free agent, Denver will likely look to replace the production they lost in the offseason. Dumervil was one of the best defensive ends in the past few seasons, recording 37.5 sacks in the last three years.

Towards the end of the first round, Werner may be the best defensive end available. In 2012, he led Florida State with 13 sacks.

Cornellius Carradine

There’s a chance Werner will be a top-20 pick and long gone before the Broncos are ready to pick. If that’s the case, Werner’s teammate could be the Broncos first selection.

Opposite Werner, “Tank” Carradine sacked the quarterback 11 times. He looked even better than his teammate, at times, as one of the fastest defensive lineman in the 2013 class.

The biggest issue with Carradine might be his health. He tore his ACL against Florida in late November. However, he should be completely healthy for his rookie season.

Desmond Trufant

The Broncos have one of the best cornerbacks of the past decade on their roster, but it might be time that they look for his replacement.

Champ Bailey will be 35 years old at and entering his 15th season in 2013. The club also lost cornerback Tracy Porter, who signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

Trufant may not be as highly touted as a defensive back like Dee Milliner, but he has first-round talent. He registered 25 pass deflections in his last two seasons at Washington and enters the NFL with a lot of experience, having started 47 games in college.

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