Denver picked up the extra picks when it traded quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago. The Broncos also got a third-round pick in the upcoming draft.

The extra picks make the Broncos a prime candidate to move up into the top 10, perhaps to take an anchor at nose tackle like Boston College's B.J. Raji or Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo. The Broncos certainly have the ammunition to move up and get a top-flight defensive player.

Denver has to weigh whether it would be better off with two mid-round picks or one top-10 pick. The team has a lot of needs. The Broncos need to rebuild their line, could add to the linebackers and need some young talent in the secondary.

The offense also could use some help, and the biggest question will be what Denver does at quarterback. After trading Cutler, it would certainly be enticing to draft someone like USC's Mark Sanchez in the first round, if Sanchez slips. Denver could also use a late-round pick on a quarterback it likes -- following the Patriots' approach, which new coach Josh McDaniels presumably will follow. McDaniels was New England's offensive coordinator before being hired by Denver.

One pressing need for the Broncos is the defensive line. They have little depth on the line, especially for a 3-4 alignment, which Denver will use this season. The Broncos need a nose tackle and an end. LSU's Tyson Jackson appears to be a natural fit if he is available at the 12th overall pick -- assuming the Broncos don't trade it.

Last year the Broncos had what they felt was a good draft, picking up plenty of potential starters in the late rounds. They will need to do that again as they restock the roster. Denver has five picks in the top 84, including two in the third round, single picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds, and two picks in the seventh.

Although the Broncos' needs are apparent, they are a wild card in this year's draft. McDaniels and general manager Brian Xanders have never run a draft before, which makes Denver an unpredictable commodity.

TEAM NEEDS: Defensive tackle, defensive end, inside linebacker, cornerback.

DT -- The Broncos don't have a proven, natural nose tackle on the roster, someone that can clog up the middle in a 3-4. Denver's run defense has been porous the past few years, and it won't get better until the front line improves. The need is so great at nose tackle, a trade up to get Boston College's B.J. Raji can't be ruled out.

DE -- With the Broncos' switching to a 3-4 defense, they no longer define defensive linemen as they had under Mike Shanahan. Ends in the old defense like Elvis Dumervil and Jarvis Moss don't fit as ends in a 3-4, so there is a strong need to stock up in the draft. The Broncos could use a couple of their picks at this position.

ILB -- Although the Broncos have some young talent at linebacker, a star in D.J. Williams and added Andra Davis via free agency, a stout inside linebacker would help. That could allow others to fall into their more natural positions. The Broncos will also need depth at inside linebacker.

CB -- The starting spots are filled by Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman, but there are some questions further down the depth chart. Last year's rookies, Jack Williams and Josh Bell, could prove to be worthy successors, but the Broncos could also decide to draft a young cornerback to fill the nickel cornerback role with an eye to the future.

QB -- Without Jay Cutler, the Broncos have Kyle Orton and Chris Simms. Neither is a sure-fire franchise quarterback, especially since Orton is only signed through this season. The Broncos could pick a quarterback early, or could try to hit a home run late. That worked for the Patriots and Josh McDaniels, who worked with Tom Brady and Matt Cassel the past few years.