2nd Round Draft Picks Rahim Moore and Orlando Franklin
With their back-to-back picks in the second round, the Denver Broncos drafted UCLA safety Rahim Moore and Miami offensive lineman Orlando Franklin.
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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After trading the No. 36 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft to San Francisco for the 45th, 108th and 141st picks, the Broncos had back-to-back picks at 45 and 46 in the second round.
With those selections, the team picked UCLA safety Rahim Moore (pictured above) and Miami offensive lineman Orlando Franklin.
RAHIM MOORE
Moore starred at defensive back for the UCLA Bruins, leading the nation with 10 interceptions as a sophomore and earning first-team All-America honors from scout.com.
As a junior last season, Moore's interception totals dropped, but he was still named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News.
"Every year you’re not going to have your best stats," Moore said at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. "But I think this year I showed more I can come downhill, tackle and made other plays. Interceptions are not everything. You have to make tackles for loss, sacks and pass breakups. I think I showed what I can do."
In his career, the 6-foot, 202-pound safety accumulated 186 tackles, 14 interceptions, 15 pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
"If a team drafts me they won’t have to worry about the safety position for the next 10-12 years," he said at the combine. "I believe I’m special, and I mean that in the most humble way. I’m going to get in early. I’m going to leave late. I’m going to put in the same amount of hours, maybe more than the coaching staff."
While he played safety for the Bruins, he said he wouldn't be opposed to translating his game to the cornerback position if it was required of him.
"Sometimes you would come to my practices and think I’m a corner, because you might see me pressing up or making plays out there," he said. "I’ve been blessed with some corner skills. Whatever a team needs -- strong safety, free safety, corner -- when you play secondary and love football you should be able to play all three positions."
"During my whole life I’ve never sat down, even my freshman year," he said. "I started 37 consecutive games. My main goal is to go in there and learn, then be able to succeed and make plays."
ORLANDO FRANKLIN
Franklin played in 51 games for the Miami Hurricanes, making 39 starts from 2007-10. The two-time All-ACC honoree helped the Canes offense rack up the second- (2010) and fourth-most (2009) yards in school history.
He played three seasons at guard, but moved to offensive tackle last season as a senior.
“I’ll play any position they’ll have me at," Franklin said at the combine. "If you look at the situation, I’m more comfortable at guard because I’ve been playing it for three years, but if they need me to go in and get it done at tackle I can definitely get it done.”
He did hint that he likes playing inside on the line -- "I feel as if I'm a beast at guard," he smiled -- but he said that with a little technique work, he could be "a great tackle in the NFL."
Franklin's story began in Jamaica, where he was born. His mother left him there at age 2 to move to Toronto, and once she got her paperwork as a legal Canadian citizen, she brought him with her to Toronto.
When he was 15, he decided he wanted to play football, and felt Florida would be the best place for his career to get started. So his mom quit her job to help Franklin follow his dream.
"I've got a great mom that will do anything to see her children succeed," he said. "She’s definitely been there for me for 100 percent and I wouldn’t be anywhere without her.”
CONFERENCE CALLS
On a conference call with the Denver media, Moore said he can't wait to play alongside Brian Dawkins.
"I wish I could meet him professionally where he could never age and me and him could play for several years," he said. "I'm excited to learn from a hall of famer and Champ Bailey These guys are my favorite -- Champ and BD -- ever. You know, I even have a picture of them on my phone and my laptop. I'm a huge fan. I can't wait to get hooked up with them and get to work."
He said he's already excited about the Broncos' 2011 draft class, with Denver still holding five more picks on day three.
"Defense wins championships," Moore said Von Miller is a big-time talent. He has every little bit of a second (overall) pick you can think of. He's just that type of guy. I can't wait to make plays on the field with him."
Finally, he said he met Shannon Sharpe in New York and got him to sign a Broncos helmet. He said he had an inkling Denver would be the team that would take him.
"I was confident at the combine I was a possible pick, but when I woke up I knew I was going to be a Bronco," he recalled. "I just felt it; I knew what they needed. I'm excited; I can't wait."
"Today I feel like I went No. 1 overall. I'm so excited. I can't wait to get to work and get to Denver."
As for Franklin, he told the Denver media that the team told him he fits in at right tackle on the offensive line.
"I am a physical player that is going to do whatever he can to get on the field as quick as possible and that is going to work hard for 60 minutes and bust my behind to make everyone around me better," Franklin said.
He emphasized that his physicality is his biggest strength.
"I like to think of myself as the most physical offensive lineman that was in this draft, and I am looking forward to bringing that nature to the Denver Broncos."
posted by Franklin @ 12:05 PM
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