Denver Broncos get multiple first-round picks in 2021 7-round mock draft
For the last couple of years, the Denver Broncos have been jonesing for a linebacker near the top of their draft class.
In 2019, the team nearly used the 10th overall selection on Michigan’s Devin Bush. They ended up trading that pick (and the rights to draft Bush) to the Pittsburgh Steelers for three picks that turned into Noah Fant, Drew Lock, and Lloyd Cushenberry.
In 2020, the team nearly traded into the first round for a second selection after picking Jerry Jeudy to pick LSU linebacker Patrick Queen. He went to the Baltimore Ravens instead after a deal couldn’t be struck.
In 2021, will the third time be the charm?
Especially in a trade-down scenario, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah makes a ton of sense for the Denver Broncos. Taking an off-ball linebacker with a first-round pick is not the best use of your assets when other maybe more valuable positions are available, but Owusu-Koramoah is a three-down player with tremendous playmaking abilities both in coverage and against the run.
His play speed is absolutely outstanding, and he was able to be utilized all over the Notre Dame defensive formation the past couple of seasons with reps on the line as a pass rusher and lined up in the slot against receivers.
He’s truly a unique player at the position, and as much as has been made of George Paton’s presence at the pro days of quarterbacks in this draft class, not enough has been made about Paton’s presence at Owusu-Koramoah’s pro day.
His change of direction skills are tremendous, and his ability to match up in coverage is something the Denver Broncos have coveted for a long time.
Sure, this pick is not a quarterback. There are those who don’t believe in Drew Lock as the long-term answer, but the Denver Broncos still might. Even though there is a chance the Broncos could take a Justin Fields or Trey Lance if they are available in round one, Owusu-Koramoah is one of a short list of players that should be on the team should be targeting in a trade-down scenario.