Why the Broncos didn't feel the need to draft an offensive lineman

The Broncos' decision to draft Shane Ray bucked expectations from analysts that Denver would go with an offensive lineman.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — For the past couple months as we tracked the trends of analyst predictions of what the Broncos would do in the first round, once free agency moves started shaking out the general consensus was that the Broncos would address the offensive line with their first pick of the draft.

However, mock draft predictions can be tossed out the window once the draft gets underway and the unpredictable becomes reality.

In short, the Broncos traded up to take outside linebacker Shane Ray because they valued him at a position much higher than where they were able to…