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Denver Broncos: Early look at possible 2021 NFL Draft needs

By Sayre Bedinger

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: President of Football Operations and General Manager John Elway of the Denver Broncos interviews during the first day of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: President of Football Operations and General Manager John Elway of the Denver Broncos interviews during the first day of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Draft, Alaric Jackson, Denver Broncos
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 26: Alaric Jackson #77 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on the field in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 26, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

1. Offensive tackle

A large section of the Denver Broncos’ fan base would argue that offensive tackle — specifically left tackle — was the team’s biggest need in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Broncos didn’t take a tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they didn’t sign anyone in free agency.

They also declined Garett Bolles’ fifth-year option.

John Elway has talked about the team being frustrated with Bolles, and stated that Bolles would be in competition with Elijah Wilkinson for the starting left tackle position in 2020.

This makes left tackle the team’s biggest need heading into the 2020 season and a primary area of focus for the 2021 offseason as a whole.

The Broncos may prefer the veteran route at left tackle, and may even go that route in 2020 with someone like Jason Peters or Kelvin Beachum yet, but there are some good offensive tackles to be had in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Oregon’s Penei Sewell is the cream of the crop, a number one overall pick candidate that the Broncos will not likely have a chance to take.

Behind him, it’s anyone’s guess.

Some felt that Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood could have gone in the first round had he left school this past season, but he returned to the Crimson Tide for more.

The latest mock draft over at NFLMocks.com has the Broncos selecting Tennessee tackle Cade Mays, a Georgia transfer who has high expectations for the 2020 season.

One player to keep an eye on as the Broncos have taken a liking to Iowa Hawkeyes prospects in the last three years is left tackle Alaric Jackson. Jackson missed three games due to injury in 2019 and was clearly affected in the 10 games he played.

He may not be the level of prospect Tristan Wirfs was this year, but Jackson should be a fine NFL player in time and has a chance to re-establish himself as a top 64 hopeful this season.

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