There have been plenty of rumors/speculation surrounding the Denver Broncos this offseason. One thing is for sure: They have been very busy. The team signed some free agents, including cornerbacks Kyle Fuller, and Ronald Darby, as well as defensive lineman Shamar Stephen.
Gone are running back Phillip Lindsay (replaced at the position by Mike Boone—formerly of the Minnesota Vikings).
They also re-signed safety Kareem Jackson and gave their other star safety, Justin Simmons, a record-breaking contract extension, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
Now comes the 2021 NFL Draft. The Broncos currently have the ninth overall pick, the first of nine total selections.
There are some players that are currently on the roster that hypothetically could get traded during the draft, depending on whether or not the team feels like they can find their replacement among the draftees or any late free agent signings.
The roster is currently quite young, with just five players at the age of 30 or older. Could they look at acquiring some players via trades that are more experienced than what they have? It’s certainly a possibility.
There are going to be certain scenarios that dictate whether or not a player will be on the move. If those moves don’t play out, I am sure that the Broncos will stick with what they have, in addition to what they can do in the Draft.
With that being said, here are four players that very well could be on different teams when the 2021 NFL Draft comes to a conclusion.
Quarterback Drew Lock
Let’s start off with the elephant in the room.
If the right quarterback ends up falling to the Denver Broncos at the ninth overall pick or at least far enough to where the team feels comfortable trading up, it feels like that’s what they’re going to do: get their guy.
The question is, who is their guy?
Drew Lock may or may not be. Even though there has been endless talk about the 2019 second-round pick competing for the starting job, the Broncos still could trade him.
The team has not done anything roster-wise in terms of bringing in that competition. That doesn’t mean they don’t have a plan outside of Lock, however.
The Deshaun Watson-to-Denver talk slowly died down after the Texans quarterback was accused of sexual assault or harassment by over 20 women.
Matthew Stafford was another quarterback rumored to be an option for the Broncos, but that fizzled when he was part of a trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and three draft picks.
One factor in a potential decision to move on from Lock is the injury concern. He missed time during his rookie season because of a thumb injury, and he missed three games in 2020 because of a sprained AC joint he suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 2.
Some may view that as unfair, but as the saying goes, the best ability is availability.
Franchise quarterbacks need to stay healthy.
Inside Linebacker Alexander Johnson
Alexander Johnson is known as the velociraptor on the Denver Broncos, and there are some solid things in his game that another team could use.
For instance, Johnson had 124 tackles for the Broncos in 2020, which led the team.
As an inside linebacker, however, the Denver Broncos seek a player that can do a productive job covering running backs and tight ends. It is one of the things that has plagued the team for a number of years now.
According to Pro Football Reference, Johnson has allowed 48 of 67 receptions that were considered his assignment in two seasons. That is an unfortunate percentage of 71.6. He allowed 81 percent (34 of 42) during the 2019 season).
He is not a bad linebacker by any means. He just might not be the guy that fits what the Broncos want in an inside linebacker. With the 2021 NFL Draft stacked at coverage linebackers, there could be a change there, and Johnson might be on his way to a different team—one who can appreciate what he does bring to the table.
Johnson is still just 29-years old, so I am sure that there would be some interest from other teams with one year on his deal at a very team-friendly price.
Wide Receiver Tim Patrick
Wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton was rumored to be a trade candidate of the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason. While that still may happen, our focus here is on another wide receiver.
Tim Patrick would provide more value in a trade, given that he has produced more than Hamilton has, in seven less games.
While I don’t necessarily suggest that the Broncos should trade Tim Patrick, they still could. With Courtland Sutton coming back from a torn ACL, and the recent draftings of Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, it might be worth trying to get something for one of the other wide receivers they have at their disposal.
Patrick may not be very well-known to fans of other teams, but he has been quite productive for Denver.
Maybe compensation for Patrick would include another player, or maybe it would just require a draft pick. Either way, any team that would acquire Patrick would be getting a solid number two receiver who has made some pretty nice catches during his career.
Don’t get me wrong: If the Denver Broncos do retain Patrick, I won’t be disappointed. I just feel that they could get some quality in a trade that features him.
Tackle Ja’Wuan James
Unfortunately, the Ja’Wuan James signing had not worked out for either the Denver Broncos or he himself. James was signed to a 4-year, $51 million deal with $32 million in guaranteed money.
What the Broncos have gotten in return is 63 snaps in three total games—in two years. That includes 2020, in which he opted out of due to COVID-19 concerns.
The current expectation is that James will return as the starter at right tackle for the Broncos in 2021, but as you may know, in the NFL, there’s no such thing as a guarantee.
The Broncos would not have signed James to such a large contract if they had
In virtually every article that mentions James, or the Broncos offensive line in general, Mike Munchak’s name comes up.
Munchak has turned some offensive linemen into real stars during his time as an offensive line coach. Unfortunately, like I mentioned on the Drew Lock slide, the best ability a player can have is availability. That’s not something James has been able to show.
Denver Broncos: Players that fans don’t want to see drafted to a division rival
The NFL Draft is less than one week away and while thinking of who will land with the Denver Broncos, these are players we don't want to see in the AFC West
It is possible that another team can figure out how to condition him so that he doesn’t get hurt as frequently as he does. Either way, it might be worth figuring out a new long-term plan at right tackle.