Shanahan likes Lelie's speed

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the hours ticked by and it became apparent that some highly rated players were falling down the NFL draft board yesterday, the Denver Broncos waited to see who they could unexpectedly catch.

They ended up with maybe the best catch available: receiver Ashley Lelie of the University of Hawai'i.

Breaking a trend that had seen them draft defensive players in the first round of the NFL draft in five of the past six years, the Broncos used the 19th pick of the first round to solidify a position that was clearly in need of help last season.

"It's hard to find a guy at that size, with that speed and that type of smarts who can catch the ball as consistently as he has," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of Lelie.

Lelie immediately moves into the third receiver spot for the Broncos, behind Pro Bowlers Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey.

Lelie caught 194 passes for 3,341 yards and 32 touchdowns in three seasons at Hawai'i, and was rated by most draft analysts as one of the top two receivers available.

"I thought Lelie would be gone (before Denver's pick)," Shanahan said.

Shanahan told the Rocky Mountain News that Lelie's experience in June Jones' shotgun offense at Hawai'i should help.

"One of the things that he has going for him is how much they've thrown the ball at Hawai'i with June Jones," Shanahan said. "I talked to June. He felt like he was probably the best wide receiver he's had since he's been coaching."