Broncos Pick Linebacker In 6th, Tight End In 7th

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- The Denver Broncos took another linebacker in the draft, selecting Mike Mohamed of California in the sixth round Saturday. The team followed that pick with tight end Virgil Green of Nevada in the 7th round.

The 6-foot-2, 238-pound Mohamed was rated eighth among inside linebackers in Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2011 Draft Report, ahead of North Carolina State's Nate Irving, who was selected by the team in the third round.

Denver also took Von Miller of Texas A&M with the second overall pick as the team tries to fix the league's worst defense.

Mohamed can play both inside and outside linebacker, splitting time between both spots in his time with the Bears. He finished with 339 tackles in his career, the fourth-best total in school history.

Green's selection in the 7th round gives the Broncos two tight ends on the final day of the draft.  Earlier in the day, Denver traded up to select tight end Julius Thomas from Portland State.

Initially a wide receiver, Green added 30 pounds and developed into an elite tight end. He became the favorite target of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who went in the second round to the San Francisco 49ers. Green caught 72 passes for 939 yards and 11 touchdowns last season for the Wolfpack.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)