Denver Broncos: Nightmare 2021 NFL Draft scenarios

Running Back

Technology has become a bigger part of every industry across the globe, including the football industry. The heavy use of technology has allowed front offices and organizations to develop an analytics department, responsible for finding mathematical edges in an organization.

One of the major trends we’ve seen is the insistence of not taking running backs high in the NFL Draft. George Paton and the Denver Broncos should stick to the “Analytics’ Take” on this one.

The 2021 NFL Draft features a trio of excellent running backs at the top of the class in Travis Etienne, Najee Harris, and Javonte Williams. All three have versatile skillsets, and could easily overtake Melvin Gordon‘s job as the lead back in the Broncos’ backfield.

But are any of them worth the 9th overall pick?

Simply put, no. The Broncos have an opportunity to acquire a top-flight quarterback in the top 10 picks or to find a blue-chip player in this class. If the Denver Broncos are unwavering in their desire to take a running back highly, the 9th overall pick isn’t the place to find their guy.

Teams looking to trade into the top ten picks could look to Denver as a jumping point, and the Broncos could be in a position to trade back for a large haul. While a 1st-round running back doesn’t make financial sense, the mid-to-late twenties is a much more palpable spot to draft a running back as opposed to a top ten selection.

Furthermore, this running back class is deep. Players like Rhamondre Stevenson, Khalil Herbert, and Trey Sermon all possess different skillsets and could be plug-and-play starters for the Broncos from day one. Even better? All three can likely be in the third round or later.

For a team like the Denver Broncos with a fairly complete roster, quarterback aside, drafting a running back with the 9th overall pick just simply doesn’t make sense. I think we can all agree that this would be a nightmare scenario for Denver.