Broncos: Top 11 takeaways from George Paton’s pre-free agency presser
6. QB is among options in play with pick no. 9
In case you thought this press conference from George Paton was going to provide clarity about whether the Denver Broncos were going to pursue a quarterback with the 9th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, well…
George Paton, on the QBs in the draft: “We’re open to any position with that first pick. We’re going to take the best player that can help this football team,” regardless of position.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) March 4, 2021
Quarterback is on the table with the 9th pick for the Denver Broncos in the 2021 NFL Draft. Everything that everyone has heard at this point seems to indicate the Broncos hope to bring in competition for Drew Lock, and most in the know think that will be in the form of a veteran.
Does that mean the Broncos would pass on quarterbacks in this draft?
They should not have decided to do that at this point in the process.
The Broncos should evaluate the quarterbacks in this class — a very strong QB class — as though they intend to potentially invest in one. That means running through the pro day gambit, having pre-draft virtual meetings with these guys — the whole nine yards.
Does that mean they have to take one? No, and Paton’s comments don’t indicate that either. The reality is, there is a chance the Broncos could take one. This year’s crop of defensive prospects is not nearly as strong at the top as the offensive side of the ball.
There’s a really good chance that by the time the Broncos are on the clock, the best player on the board will be on the offensive side of the ball. We’ll see how the Broncos go about the next couple of months but the safe bet is that they will be doing all of the homework necessary on these young QBs.