Denver Broncos: Way too early 2021 mock draft predictions
3. Richard LeCounte III, S, Georgia
The Broncos currently have one of the best safety duos in the NFL in Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons.
Some even believe it’s the best safety duo in the league.
Jackson and Simmons present a versatile, physical duo for the Broncos and they made a ton of plays on the ball in the 2019 season.
At the end of the 2020 season, Jackson will be entering his age 33 season. Simmons, though everyone expects a deal to eventually get done, is currently on the franchise tag for the Broncos and slated for free agency in 2021.
No one believes he will get there, but what if the team has to compromise by letting go of Jackson to create additional cap space for whatever reason?
His cap hit will be $13 million with only $3 million in dead money so there is a possibility he could be a cap casualty.
Although the Broncos don’t seem too strapped for cash, even if they were to keep Jackson they could prioritize the safety position in the 2021 NFL Draft with their current depth at the position and the possible need for a new starter as soon as 2022.
They took Justin Simmons one the year after Darian Stewart and TJ Ward helped lead them to a Super Bowl 50 win.
Richard LeCounte III is a playmaker for the Georgia Bulldogs who could interest the Broncos much earlier than the third round.
He was available in the simulator though, so I took him.
Last season for the Bulldogs, LeCounte showed off his versatility with 61 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and a pair of forced fumbles.
He has a very similar style of play to that of Kareem Jackson as a safety and is fearless attacking the line of scrimmage.
LeCounte’s versatility as a blitzer and deep safety could help tremendously in elevating his 2021 NFL Draft stock over the course of the next six months.
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He has the look of an instant-starter type in the NFL and would be a fantastic fit for Vic Fangio’s defense.