The Denver Broncos currently have the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft but sighting some recent developments, that could change.
Depending on how the board falls, the team could choose to trade out of the ninth spot. What if they choose to trade up?
They could go several ways in that trade-up. A lot of it depends on how high they trade up. The expectation is that we could see four quarterbacks off the board in the first four picks.
The first overall pick is out of reach, as the Jacksonville Jaguars will surely want to take Trevor Lawrence. The New York Jets are in desperate need for a quarterback now that they traded Sam Darnold (and even before that trade).
The San Francisco 49ers traded up to the third pick (previously held by the Dolphins)—all indications are that the trade was made with a quarterback in mind.
So, that leaves picks 5-through-8 open for business…Unless the Broncos are confident enough to put all of their chips on the table and make a complete blockbuster of a trade into the top-4.
Let’s say that happens.
With the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select:
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Jets: Zach Wilson, BYU
49ers: Trey Lance, NDSU
Broncos: Justin Fields, Ohio State
Now, this would require quite a haul to pull this trade off. The big question is, do the Denver Broncos think that Fields is worth said haul? Or are they still going to go the Drew Lock & a veteran route?
Here’s the thing: even though the Broncos have the same head coach that drafted Lock, the general manager situation is slightly different with George Paton in town.
I personally don’t think they’ll go quarterback in the first round—maybe not even at all in the draft. But if they do, Fields might be the right player to get.
It is also worth noting that Paton attended Ohio State’s Pro Day on March 30th.
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
At this point, Sewell is probably my favorite option for the Denver Broncos in the 2021 NFL Draft. The big question is, would he be available if the Broncos stayed at nine?
That very well could be a possibility, as it’s been reported that some teams prefer Rashawn Slater over Sewell.
The Broncos would be very fortunate to have either one of them. They signed Garett Bolles to a contract extension after originally declining his fifth-year option, but the right side of the line remains a mess.
If Sewell is in reach for the Denver Broncos, they need to make the move. We can’t seem to trust that Ja’Wuan James will be the future at right tackle, after his first year with the team ended after just 63 snaps, and then opting out in 2020.
Sewell would bring security to the right side despite playing left tackle at Oregon. With Mike Munchak coaching him up, I am sure that Sewell would have no problem transitioning to the right side.
Heck, many thought that Garett Bolles was a lost cause in his first couple of years with the Broncos. Now he earned a contract extension for his play in 2020.
I think moving up to take Sewell would be an incredible move by George Paton.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
I understand that the Broncos have plenty of options for Drew Lock as it stands now, including last 2019’s first-round pick in Noah Fant. However, adding a guy such as Kyle Pitts would be so much fun and could help Lock out tremendously.
Having a two-tight end set with Fant and Pitts would absolutely be dominant if the quarterback play makes a leap.
Pitts is by far the best tight end in this draft class, with his 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame. Any offense would be fortunate to have Pitts, who is listed as a tight end but really could play at wide receiver, too.
Fant was the second-most targeted player in the passing game for the Denver Broncos in 2020. Adding another security blanket for Lock could be a smart move for his growth and development.
5 former Denver Broncos still looking for work in 2021
The Denver Broncos have several former players still looking for a place to call home in 2021. How many of them will find one?
If the team is confident in keeping Lock as the starter, I feel like considering Pitts in a trade-up would be a smart move.