The NFLDraftguys staff is going simulate playing the GM of each of the 31 teams picking in the first round and justify their picks. You can look forward to a new pick every day leading up to April 28, when the staff will be in Radio City Music Hall to see if they took our advice.

Don't forget to go over to The 1.21 OTC Thread at The Shark Pool, where the authors and the best football community anywhere are discussing this question. The Shark Pool is part of Footballguys, the only place to get your fantasy football advice and analysis. If you haven't already done it, sign up for the footballguys email update, they scour the offseason news so you don't have to!

Follow the progress of the On The Clock Draft Board, where you can see exactly how the first round would play out if the NFLDraftguys staff were making the calls in the war room.

Sean Baca

With the twenty first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft the Denver Broncos SHOULD take Adam Carriker , DE, Nebraska

Please try to get a "D" lineman not from Cleveland, I beg of you. Carriker is still available in my mock and this kid is easily one of the best lineman in the draft. Square peg fits square hole.

The Broncos have had no pass rush to speak of in a long time and that needs to change. There is a lot of talent on the line but nobody that comes off the edge the way Carriker would. IF he slips and that is a big if the Broncos have to take him. They have been trying to get Jenkins from Carolina and if they do than they should look to Timmons or Beason to replace the captain Al Wilson. Carriker is perhaps the second best lineman in the draft but with the D-end position so thick in this years draft there is an outside chance of him or even Anderson slipping to them.

Marc Faletti

With the 21st pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos SHOULD selected Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee.

Mike Shanahan seldom stays put in a draft, and I could easily imagine him moving up to snare Alan Branch if he slips or dropping down to grab Jarvis Moss, Brandon Meriweather, or my secret "I think Shanny will surprise everyone and go get this guy" guy, Steve Smith.

But if the Broncos do stay put, they'd be wise to look somewhere other than Cleveland for the defensive line and grab the fiery leader of the Tennessee defense, Justin Harrell. Everything I mentioned about Jon Beason's intangibles in OTC 20 can be doubled for Tennessee team captain Harrell. His gutty performance against Florida -- a game he played with a torn bicep -- helped inspire his team to a near-upset of the eventual champs.

Harrell isn't a polished lineman, but he is relentless. He gets a fair amount of pressure (though not a lot of sacks), and he usually requires a double-team to contain him because he's constantly churning his legs until the end of every play. Once someone helps him use his hands more effectively, he should be a reliable every-down pain in the rear for offenses.

Cecil Lammey

With the 21st pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos SHOULD take Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia Bulldogs.

I don't believe that the Broncos are going to stay put at #21. My sources are telling me that Denver is VERY interested in moving up (with Houston maybe) to put themselves in a position to draft the great Patrick Willis. Well, in this mock we'll just go ahead and assume that the Broncos stay put.

Denver is in dire need of a pass rush, and Johnson is the 3rd best DE in this draft class IMHO. Charles Johnson is a big and strong brute that can push his way around down in the trenches. He has the size and physicality that would make him a perfect fit for the Broncos Defensive Line. With Elvis Dumervil on one side, and Johnson on the other, the Broncos would see a significant increase to their QB pressure. With the defensive backfield set with Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, the Broncos would only need a slight increase to see a big difference on the field. I believe that Johnson would command a lot of attention (and double-teams) on the line of scrimmage, which would open things up for the likes of Elvis Dumervil, Ian Gold, or any sort of safety blitz.

The most impressive thing about the Broncos is the fact that Coach Shanahan has an amazing desire to win, and will do whatever it takes to get the players that he wants. Denver is one of those teams that is only a couple of pieces away from competing for a Super Bowl. In Denver, where the memory of back to back titles is fading fast, nothing but a Super Bowl Championship will due.

Sigmund Bloom

With the 21st pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos SHOULD take Anthony Spencer, DE, Denver Broncos.

I doubt Spencer is ranked this high on any team's boards, but if you're looking for an instant pass rush boost, there might not be a better impact DE in the draft than Anthony Spencer. With Dre Bly and Champ Bailey locking down the wideouts, the Ponies need a pincher to pair with Elvis Dumervil on passing downs. Spencer would immediately fill that need, and I believe he's got a much better chance of becoming a solid two way end than Jarvis Moss, who has a more ideal DE frame than Spencer, but lacks the strength to hold up at the point of attack.

The Broncos are always movers and shakers on draft day, so if there's a player they truly covet, they will pull out all the stops to land him. In the wake of the release of Al Wilson, a trade up for Patrick Willis has to be tempting. If Jamaal Anderson slides through the teens, he could be a target. Alan Branch could provide the immovable object in the middle of the defensive line that the Broncos seem to be lacking. I'm not sure who the Broncos would make a move to get, but I am sure that they will be one of the most active teams during the draft.