New general manager George Paton and the Denver Broncos were big winners on day two of the 2021 NFL Draft. Paton made three trades and ultimately wound up with three selections, bringing in some impact players for 2021 and beyond in running back Javonte Williams, offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, and linebacker Baron Browning.
Paton decided to pass on quarterbacks Justin Fields and Mac Jones with the 9th overall pick, then he passed on the quarterbacks that wound up being selected on day two in favor of his new, bruising running back.
Heading into day three, the Denver Broncos do not — at present — have any fourth-round draft choices. They used their fourth-round pick (114th overall) to move up for Javonte Williams. They recouped a selection in that range, however, when they traded down twice in the third round and ended up with picks 98 and 105 overall.
Where do the Denver Broncos currently stand in terms of day three picks?
Denver Broncos remaining 2021 NFL Draft picks (Day 3)
5th round: 152nd overall
5th round: 164th overall
6th round: 219th overall
7th round: 237th overall
7th round: 239th overall
7th round: 253rd overall
When the second day of the Draft concluded, George Paton noted to the media that he was slightly disappointed to not have a fourth-round pick, so you have to think he’s going to be working the phones to try and get back in. There are a lot of prospects that would interest the Denver Broncos at this point, including fan-favorite LSU linebacker Jabril Cox.
What about trades?
The latest on the Aaron Rodgers situation is worth monitoring. There has been plenty of buzz on Twitter about the Denver Broncos and the league MVP, and it sounds like that is definitely something the Broncos will explore in the next month.
The Aaron Rodgers story as I know it.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) May 1, 2021
Obviously Rodgers had been dissatisfied for some time. Several teams made post season inquiries this year, including the Rams prior to trading for Stafford although that went nowhere with GB FO.
Rodgers recently has begun telling teammates
Besides the potential trade for Rodgers, there are players who could be on the move for the Denver Broncos on day three.
It would not be shocking to see wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton on the move as it was rumored in the pre-draft process that he might be.
Running back Royce Freeman has become the odd man out with the additions of Javonte Williams and free agent Mike Boone.
With the number of interior linemen the Denver Broncos have, could they trade veteran Graham Glasgow? That’s probably a stretch, but you never know if the right offer comes along.
For whatever reason, Jeff Driskel is still on the roster. Would some NFL team trade for him at his low salary? That doesn’t seem likely, but again, you never know what NFL teams are thinking.
Another move that might be surprising but could make sense given the Broncos’ moves this offseason would be a trade of Bryce Callahan, who has missed time with injuries the last three years. Vic Fangio said after the first round of the draft that Callahan is 100 percent healthy at present.
The Denver Broncos have six selections on day three and while they could target certain positions specifically, you’re looking for guys on day three who have big potential and the ability to contribute on special teams.
Denver Broncos were big winners on day two of the 2021 NFL Draft
The Denver Broncos came away from day two of the 2021 NFL Draft big winners. We take a look at the pieces they added on both sides of the ball.
The Broncos’ streak of three years in a row taking an Iowa Hawkeyes player, it should be noted, could still stay alive with players like Daviyon Nixon, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Alaric Jackson, Nick Niemann, and others on the board.