Denver Broncos get multiple first-round picks in 2021 7-round mock draft

The 2021 NFL Draft is merely days away, and the Denver Broncos have big decisions to make. At this point, the biggest question is undoubtedly this — what will the team do at the quarterback position?

At the very least, there seems to be a decent chance the team will move forward with Drew Lock as the starting quarterback in the 2021 season with potentially a rookie like Trey Lance or Justin Fields coming in via the first round of the draft, or a veteran hedge like Teddy Bridgewater coming in after the draft to compete with Lock.

No matter what the scenario at this point, the Denver Broncos are in prime position to further boost a roster that looks vastly improved both with players coming back from injury and the additions George Paton has made.

Heading into the draft, what are the Broncos’ primary needs or areas to upgrade? In no particular order:

• Quarterback – Paton may not love Drew Lock but he also may prefer him to unknowns/alternatives
• Linebacker – Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell are in contract years, Jewell could be upgraded on
• Safety – Kareem Jackson will be a free agent again in 2022, the depth behind him is thin
• Running back – Melvin Gordon will be a free agent in 2022, Phillip Lindsay walked in free agency
• Tight end – Albert Okwuegbunam coming off of a major injury, Nick Vannett released
• Offensive tackle – Does the team like Calvin Anderson enough to pass on the top guys in this OT class?

Beyond these areas of need, you can also look at spots like edge defender behind Von Miller who will be a free agent in 2022 as well as wide receiver where DaeSean Hamilton is apparently on the trade block and a number of players are in the final year of their contracts (Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Diontae Spencer).

A general manager’s work is never finished, right?

Still, if the Denver Broncos had to strap up this coming Sunday, they would be fielding a very talented starting lineup. The future will have to be considered with this draft class as well as the present.

With that being said, we know that George Paton’s philosophy is to get as many darts to throw at the board as possible. The Broncos currently own nine selections in this draft class including the 9th overall selection.

Using the TDN mock draft simulator, I want to look at a scenario where the Broncos trade down from the 9th overall pick (sorry to the QB-only fans) and then move into the first round for a second time.

Regardless of where they are slotted, let’s get to the picks in this mock draft scenario.