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.
18th overall pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
40th Overall Pick: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
50th Overall Pick: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
71st Overall Pick: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
114th Overall Pick: Johnathan Cooper, Edge, Ohio State
152nd Overall Pick: Trill Williams, CB, Syracuse
156th Overall Pick: Shemar Jean-Charles, CB, Appalachian State
191st Overall Pick: Alaric Jackson, OT, Iowa
237th Overall Pick: Tre’ Norwood, Safety, Oklahoma
239th Overall Pick: LaBryan Ray, Edge, Alabama
253rd Overall Pick: Tuf Borland, LB, Ohio State
This mock was built with originality and sightful info that I gathered the entity of the offseason. Broncos Country should be grateful to have insiders like Benjamin Albright, who provides a sense of clarity when everything else is clustered, ala the potential Charles selection.
Some of these picks were made out of prediction, some were made out of need with a hint of best player available. Fit in the Fangio/Shurmur schematics here also played a part.
This Broncos defense definitely improved in this draft, adding multiple linebackers, cornerbacks, and a couple of edge rushers. The addition of JOK could be the answer for AFC West stud tight ends, Travis Kelce and Darren Waller.
Javonte Williams is a powerhouse and will have a year to prepare to hit the ground running in 2022. Offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg should be the future at right tackle as well.
Denver Broncos NFL Draft: First-round pick should be one of these 6 guys
The Denver Broncos' options in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft are not exactly limited, but they should have a pretty narrow list of targets.
The addition of Williams and Eichenberg will potentially allow the Broncos to free up 20 million in cap space in 2022. Furthermore, heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos would also have multiple second and fourth-round picks. This would give Paton the ability to manipulate the draft in whichever way he desires.