Denver Broncos 7-round 2021 mock draft: Adding defensive playmakers

The secondary is quickly improved in the first two rounds by adding Caleb Farley and Richie Grant.

An addition of a coverage linebacker would make the defense darn near complete before the season started and the new moves before training camp. If Denver added someone of the likes of Jabril Cox, he has makings of being special in a few years or sooner under Vic Fangio.

This does not make me personally out on Justin Strnad either. Strnad’s potential at linebacker would have placed him higher in the draft, but unfortunately, injury ruined it. That said, think for a moment of the possibilities of a Strnad and Cox in the future together.

The physicality up front would certainly be tested; however, the potential future duo at linebacker would be fast and pro-coverage. Cox’s playmaking is one of his strongest traits at the position and at least with North Dakota State is proven to be a tackling machine.

Cox does not shy away from showing instincts either. He smartly can understand where a player will be before he gets there. One area where Cox will need work is taking better angles. Maybe it was learning LSU’s defense in 2020, but Cox struggled at times to find the best positions to stuff the run or potential short passes.

However, Cox has the elite speed to go sideline to sideline and make playmaking decisions creating turnovers.

To recap this draft, Denver will have added a playmaking corner, a playmaking safety capable to play in the slot/box, and a playmaking linebacker. For a defense that is struggling to create turnovers the past few years, Denver did make it a point of emphasis in this draft.