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

First things first, the charges against Melvin Gordon were dropped which means the likelihood of a possible suspension will not happen.

Gordon enters 2021 as the frontrunner to be the leading back. The Denver Broncos will be looking at another change of pace back or one to challenge either Phillip Lindsay/Royce Freeman. My first initial guess is Freeman will be first in the room the team looks into upgrading. Talent is still there it seems, but injury and potential too much tread on his tires from college begs the question of if he will be the same back as he was in 2018 as a rookie and with Oregon.

This is where Jemar Jefferson enters the mix, another productive PAC-12 running back with the potential to be a starter down the line. Jefferson is athletic to move the sticks and at times shows a propensity to be a home-run hitter in the NFL.

In no form is Jefferson an elusive Lindsay, but he is effective to be tough on short yardage. Jefferson is an instinctual runner knowing when the right moment to break open bigger runs.

With him being productive one would wonder if he will even be available at this point. Since running backs can be found in later rounds or as undrafted free agents maybe Denver will have eyes on someone else. In this scenario, Jefferson is too good to pass up.