Looking back since early January, mock drafts have been swarming in. That necessarily isn’t a bad thing, as front offices actually use these to predict the outcome of every possible scenario. They are also a bit of fun for fans. Personally, I have made quite a few mock drafts to project which scenario could be best for the Denver Broncos. Should they trade up, trade back, or stay put and take the best player available?
In some of the scenarios I approached, I had the Broncos:
- Trading up for a quarterback
- Trading down and addressing needs
- Staying put and addressing needs
- Trading back and basically loading up on the defensive side of the ball
Once said and done, spoiler alert, I do not think the Denver Broncos will be selecting a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. With recent rumblings, and some critical thinking, I suspect Trey Lance will be the third quarterback selected in the 2021 NFL Draft; I believe Lance is Paton’s guy.
As the #49ers close in on their decision of which QB to take at No. 3, sources say they are down to two prospects — and the belief is those two are #Bama QB Mac Jones and #NDSU QB Trey Lance. Several sources say the focus does appear to have shifted to those two.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2021
Don’t fret though, Paton has a plan.
First-year GM, George Paton has a strong relationship with Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier. Both now GM’s served on the Miami Dolphins staff in the early 2000s. As Paton said in his presser, he has had conversations with Grier in regards to the draft.
With the Cincinnati Bengals looking to select Ja’Marr Chase 5th overall, I believe the Miami Dolphins could select Penei Sewell with the 6th overall pick. The Dolphins just traded away a projected starter on their offensive line in Ereck Flowers. Trading starters doesn’t happen without a plan to replace him, not two days before the draft.
Grier still wants to select one of the Alabama wide receivers to give second-year quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa a familiar weapon (Waddle is my guess).
Paton answers Grier’s call, and the Denver Broncos move down to pick number 18 in exchange for:
- 50th overall
- 156th overall
- Future 2nd round pick
- Future 4th round pick
This trade is similar to the one that the Broncos’ made with the Steelers back in 2019.
With the 18th overall pick, the Denver Broncos select Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah, LB, Notre Dame.
After adding Koromoah, the city of Denver is loaded with JOK’s, as the should-be MVP reigns supreme for the Nuggets.