Denver Broncos: Grading entire 2021 draft class

Denver Broncos 2021 NFL Draft, Javonte Williams. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos 2021 NFL Draft, Javonte Williams. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /
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Quinn Meinerz, Denver Broncos, 2021 NFL Draft
Denver Broncos 2021 NFL Draft: Quinn Meinerz; Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3, No. 98 overall: Quinn Meinerz, OL, Wisconsin-Whitewater

Coming out of a Division III school, it’s likely that most Broncos fans have never heard the name of Quinn Meinerz, but this was a sensational pick.

If you haven’t seen those guys workout video, it really is a must. He is strong as an ox and plays likeit, holding his own against just about any opponent he has faced, including stiffer competition in the Senior Bowl.

He plays with great leverage and has a high football I.Q. to go along with supreme toughness. He was a guard at Wisconsin-Whitewater but has the traits to move over to center, where he actually might be even better.

I don’t see how the Broncos are going ti be able to keep this guy off the field, despite having Graham Glasgow, Lloyd Cushenberry and Dalton Risner as starting interior offensive linemen.

This might have been Denver’s best pick in this draft.

Can you imagine Williams running behind this guy? Yikes.

Grade: A

Round 3, No. 105 overall: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State

Browning was a top recruit coming out of high school and landed at one of the top programs in the nation. His college career wasn’t as good as many thought it could be, but he still has a high ceiling and could easily be a starter in the future.

He went to the right spot for a linebacker to have his true potential brought out, one in which Vic Fangio is the head coach. He will be more of a rotational guy as a rookie in all likelihood, but could develop into a key defender down the road.

This wasn’t an excellent pick but there’s not much to dislike about it either.

Grade: B