Denver Broncos: Evaluating this 2021 NFL Draft scenario
Will the Denver Broncos make a trade in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft?
In this scenario, they are presented with trades from two teams.
The Dallas Cowboys wanted pick number nine and were willing to give up the 10th and 75th picks in order to move up one spot.
The Las Vegas Raiders wanted the ninth pick and offered number 17, 48, as well as a fourth-round selection in the 2022 Draft.
First 8 selections:
Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence
Jets: Zach Wilson
49ers: Justin Fields
Falcons: Ja’Marr Chase
Bengals: Rashawn Slater
Dolphins: Penei Sewell
Lions: Trey Lance
Panthers: Jaycee Horn
Options at 9:
Kyle Pitts
Jaylen Waddle
Patrick Surtain
Devonta Smith
Mac Jones
With Lance lasting until the seventh pick, it would have been easier to trade up to take him. They could have traded with the Bengals, who could have potentially gotten Slater at nine.
The question is, are the Broncos in love with either one of the last quarterbacks taken in the top 10 (Fields or Lance)? I touched on that subject in this article.
It is also possible that the team likes Mac Jones, who in this scenario is available. In reality, Jones has been rumored to be a favorite of the 49ers, which could leave one of Fields or Lance available for Denver.
In the scenario above, the Panthers selected cornerback Jaycee Horn, as the first defensive player off the board. Patrick Surtain would be a good fit for the Broncos, as the team doesn’t have a huge investment in the cornerback position at the moment, despite signing two in the offseason.
If they took the Cowboys deal
If the Broncos took the Cowboys deal and moved down one spot, while acquiring the 75th pick, they could go a number of routes. I think that if given the opportunity, the Cowboys would snatch up Kyle Pitts quicker than you can say “Omaha”.
Honestly, as much as I would love Pitts on the Broncos, I feel as if in this situation, the Broncos would take one of either Smith, Waddle, or Surtain.
The most sense would be selecting Surtain, as the Broncos already have a strong receiving group. Despite the rumor of DaeSean Hamilton being on the trade block, the cornerback position is more pressing.
If they took the Raiders deal
First off, it’s pretty unlikely that they do take this trade, but let’s play along with the scenario because it was presented to us.
The Broncos would receive pick 17, 48, and a 2022 fourth-round pick.
If they were to take this offer, I see no way that they go offense with the mid-first round pick.
The only player I’d see on the offensive side of the ball is running back Travis Etienne. While he would be a fun pick for Denver, running back just doesn’t seem like the pick here.
Linebacker Micah Parsons, heavily mocked to the Broncos by experts, could be the pick for Denver in this scenario. The biggest issue with Parsons is his maturity or lack thereof. There are many different stories out there about Parsons.
His on-field performances are no question a big plus.
Let’s talk about another cornerback who could be available: Northwestern’s Greg Newsome. A bump-and-run cornerback, Newsome would provide some nice skills in zone coverage, which the Broncos run.
I really enjoy Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins’ game. He could provide coverage skills for the Broncos, as well as the ability to rush the passer. Though I see them taking this sort of player in a later round, I would be thrilled if they were in a position to take Collins.
What direction do you see the Broncos going, with these scenarios in mind, Broncos Country? Let us know.