Broncos: What will the rest of the 2021 offseason bring?
The 2021 NFL offseason and even just the past 12 hours have brought in some crazy whirlwinds that most were not expecting. With the recent trades in regards to the 2021 NFL Draft, a lot of fans in Broncos Country have become concerned.
From my perspective, and what little we all have seen from newly hired GM George Paton, I would encourage everyone to stay patient. There are very few who know what Paton will do next, but he has proven that he has a good grasp on what is going on around the league. I stand firm in my belief that he will make the right decisions going forward.
After free agency began, there were some out there already questioning his decision-making as he waited patiently. As the free-agent corners began to relocate, Paton seemed to be one step ahead in his wait-and-see approach as he nabbed Kyle Fuller on a relatively cheap one-year deal well into free agency.
This is just an example of how I believe he knows what is going on, and he is aware of every option out there.
So, what’s next? I’d like to begin with a position group that doesn’t begin with “quarter” and end in “back”. I know that it’s a popular discussion, and it very well should be, but let’s begin with the edge position.
Aldon Smith is a name that jumps off the board here. Yes, he may be a shell of his former self that once played for the 49ers Vic Fangio-led defense, but he still could provide immense value for this defense. Like the cornerback position, a team can never have too many pass rushers.
Also, it is important to remember Von Miller missed all of last year and Bradley Chubb missed the majority of the previous season due to injury. Before Aldon Smith signed with the Dallas Cowboys, the Denver Broncos did show some interest in him as well.
The edge position for this defense is particularly thin once you get past the starting rotation. That is no dig at Malik Reed, but what do we really know about Derrek Tuszka? Jerry Attoaochu just signed a deal along with Elijah Wilkinson to join the Chicago Bears, so this unit could use some depth.
Now on to the most important position in all of professional and collegiate sports, the quarterback.
With the outstanding amount of cases arising around Deshaun Watson and the recent trade-up in the 2021 draft from the 49ers, many Broncos fans are in disarray.
With that being said, Zach Wilson looks incredible, and if there was any doubt about the New York Jets selecting him number two overall, his pro day silenced any of it. The “moon ball” he threw, rolling to his left while being off-balance, was Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers-esque. That is something that can not be taught.
That leaves the 49ers sitting there at number three, with the choice of North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, or the wildcard of this draft — Michael McCorkle Jones, aka Mac Jones.
Now, Trevor Lawrence is a lock at one, Wilson will be going two, and I believe Lance will go number three. The 49ers jumped the Atlanta Falcons for what reason? According to Broncos Country Tonight’s insider Benjamin Albright, the Falcons were high on Lance. This leaves a few options for the Denver Broncos in my opinion.
1. Give up whatever it takes to try to move up to number four in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to nab Justin Fields.
2. Sit back and wait, maybe the Falcons pass on a quarterback and kick the can down the road one more year and draft Kyle Pitts. This ultimately would give the Broncos a chance to land Mac Jones as I am certain the Panthers would not let Justin Fields get to number nine.
3. Trade back, build capital, rock with Lock, and revisit the quarterback room in 2022 if he doesn’t pan out. This also leaves the option for Drew Lock to earn himself the nickname of Drew “Lockstar” and in this scenario, he becomes the franchise quarterback Bronco fans are so thirsty for, and again, that feeling is warranted.
4. Swap first-round picks (9 & 23) with the New York Jets for Sam Darnold and the Jets also send a little extra to sweeten the deal, whether that is in the form of CJ Mosley, or maybe a third-round pick.
If I were George Paton, I’m going with option number four. Look, we really can not sit here and say Drew Lock has proven he cant be the guy, and the same goes for Sam Darnold. Both quarterbacks were put in some undesirable situations, and sure — Drew had some playmakers, but this team was the youngest offense in the NFL last year.
Darnold, well I have two words. Adam Gase. That is all. That organization could find a way to ruin Tom Brady, I’m kidding (I think).
In this scenario, the Broncos now have two cheap, young, unproven quarterbacks who can push one another. It is in the human DNA to step your game up when you have someone else pushing you for your job.
This situation still leaves the Broncos with the ability to address the edge/RT/corner/safety position early in the draft to have a stud in the bullpen for 2022 when there is a good chance Kareem Jackson, Ja’Wuan James, Fuller, or Callahan, and maybe even Von could be playing elsewhere.
Between Drew Lock and Sam Darnold, I am fairly confident one of the two will come out as a quality starting quarterback, especially with these weapons.
In conclusion, if this were my team and the decisions were on my shoulders, I am bringing in Aldon Smith on a fair one-year deal and trading for Sam Darnold and calling it. The rest of the cap roll-over will be used to address the signings of players like Courtland Sutton next season.