From my perspective, Denver Broncos first-year general manager George Paton knocked it out of the part in the 2021 NFL Draft. That being said, I was never “team quarterback”, unless it was Trey Lance. It was to my knowledge the Denver Broncos wouldn’t have a shot at drafting Lance, as he was the 49ers’ guy entering the night of the draft’s first round.
In a haul that included a couple of cornerbacks and safeties, as well as an edge rusher, defensive lineman, and linebacker on the defensive side of the ball, the Denver Broncos filled the depth chart out quite well. With the remaining three picks, the Denver Broncos selected an interior offensive lineman, running back, and wide receiver.
The following players drafted by pick were:
- 1 (9). Pat Surtain II, Cornerback, Alabama
- 2 (35). Javonte Williams, Runningback, North Carolina
- 3. (98). Quinn Meinerz, Offensive Lineman, Wisconsin-Whitewater (DIII)
- 3 (105). Baron Browning, Linebacker, Ohio State
- 5 (152). Caden Sterns, Safety, Texas
- 5 (164). Jamar Johnson, Safety, Indiana
- 6 (219). Seth Williams, Wide Receiver, Auburn
- 7 ( 237). Kary Vincent Jr., Cornerback, LSU
- 7 (239). Jonathon Cooper, Edge, Ohio State
- 7 (252). Marquiss Spencer, Defensive End, Mississippi State
Post-draft, what position groups still need to be addressed? Are there any players via free agency or trade that the Denver Broncos could chase?
Offensive Transactions:
Free-Agent Acquisition: Demar Dotson
Many have been clamoring about adding depth to the offensive tackle group, which is valid. Ja’Wuan James is quite interesting. Ja’Wuan James the player, when he is actually on the field is good; when James decides he doesn’t want to play, well he is useless.
James has been one of, if not the most unreliable high-priced acquisition I have seen in a Denver Broncos uniform in quite some time. These emotions arent coming from just myself, current teammates have commented on how he has to earn their trust.
If someone who is supposed to be working with James daily doesn’t trust him, how could fans, or more importantly the front office trust him? They shouldn’t.
Adding a familiar face could be in play here, Demar Dotson could be a target addition to this offensive tackle group. Filling in for leaky Ju’wann James, he played admirably. While limited athletically, he is sound in technique and only committed 3 penalties in 459 snaps last year.
While Dotson isn’t a top 5 offensive tackle, that isn’t what you’re looking for in a shoo-in player. Most importantly, you are looking for stability, accountability, and cheap; Dotson would require a vet minimum type deal, and was there when called upon in 2020.
He is a fantastic character also and provides a great interview.
Trades & Cuts:
Trading for Teddy Bridgewater solidified the Denver Broncos’ decision to move on from 2020 free agent pickup Jeff Driskel at the quarterback position.
There are a couple of current Denver Broncos that could be moved in the time leading up to the 2021 NFL Season, and those players are DaeSean Hamilton and Royce Freeman. Neither of these two is going to bring in outstanding capital, but nevertheless, it is potential capital.
First off, a player like Hamilton could possibly warrant a back-end 6th round pick, maybe a 7th. The former fourth-round pick has not been outstanding, but at times he has shown flashes of ability with current Broncos quarterback Drew Lock.
He seems to be one of the players that feeds off of a rhythm, which causes him to disappear at times when he would experience a costly drop. Penn State’s all-time leading receiver could be shipped to a team like the Miami Dolphins, who could use a possession receiver to balance the deep threats in Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle.
As well as trading Hamilton, I would look to move Royce Freeman. The Cleveland Browns come to mind here. Cleveland has one of the best backfield duos in the NFL, if not the best in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. With Chubb’s physical rushing attack, it would be wise to add another back of his style.
Royce Freeman isn’t going to blow the doors off of a barn, but when pressed into playing time he has been solid in rushing, pass-protection, and actually catching the ball out of the backfield also. Freeman can do everything, and do it well, just not great.
If the Denver Broncos could add a 6th and 7th round draft pick to the 2022 NFL Draft, it would give them a slight improvement in draft capital. They may be shipping multiple picks in a blockbuster deal for a certain quarterback.
Having these long-shot dart throws from trading Freeman and Hamilton would help bring in-depth if nothing else.
Defensive Acquisitions
Free-Agent Acquisition:
Similar to the offensive side of the ball, the Denver Broncos starters are basically set for 2021. With that said, Paton has stated in just about every public setting possible, that he is looking to improve any and every position, as a good GM should.
Paton is not committed to a particular room being average simply because it will suffice, but he is looking to build each room up and out. What I mean by that is he is looking to add depth and potential upgrades to any position that he is able to.
As far as upgrading a particular position, only one sticks out to me in 2021.
Linebacker has been a position that fans and media have desired improvement in since the departure of Danny Trevathan. There actually are a few options out there that could serve as potential upgrades to one of the current starters, Josey Jewell.
Alexander Johnson is a solid piece in the middle of this defense, and I do not see a need to address his position. Jewell on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. Players like Avery Williamson, KJ Wright, and Kwon Alexander are all current free agents and would be positional upgrades over Jewell.
If I were Paton, I would personally avoid Williamson. This Denver Broncos defense has been built under one philosophy, flexibility.
What I mean by this, Fangio likes players who are multi-dimensional and do not restrict what he able to do as a head coach/coordinator in this defense. For example, Kareem Jackson is a safety that provides the ability to drop in the box and hit just as well as a linebacker.
Another example is linebacker Alexander Johnson, he was sent on a blitz 115 times in 2020 as an inside linebacker. Bryce Callahan is a cornerback that is elite in the slot but has the flexibility to play well on the outside also.
This is why I would turn to KJ Wright or Kwon Alexander. Both have shown the ability to not be a complete liability in pass coverage, ability to be an effective blitzer, and still be a force as a tackling machine.
If KJ Wright does not return to Seattle, he would be the backup option. While he was ok in pass coverage, he still allowed a completion percentage of 77.3% in 2020. He is also a bit older, so there is a concern if he would still be as fluid as he once was.
Wright had a combined 86 tackles and one interception in 2020, along with blitzing on 72 snaps in 16 games played. Wright also offers a bit more reliability than Alexander, as he only played in 12 games in 2020, and has missed quite a few throughout his career.
Kwon Alexander was a member of the San Fransisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints in 2020. As a talented and still young player, Alexander has yet to find a forever home as he has been inept to injuries throughout his carer.
In 2018, he only played in 6 games, and in 2019 he only played in 8 games. This is concerning, but if Josey Jewell is still on this roster, this provides comfortability. Alexander plays well in coverage, he garnished a completion percentage of 59.5% while on the field in 2020.
Additionally, Alexander had four pass deflections and two forced fumbles along with 57 combined tackles. With Alexander only being 26 during the 2020 season and his upside, that is why I would lean towards making him a Denver Bronco in 2021, in comparison to KJ Wright.
Now, this is where Aaron Rodgers is brought into the discussion.
Aaron Rodgers, a Denver Bronco in 2021?
“To be, or not to be? That is the question—Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And, by opposing, end them?” The idea of whether is it better to live or to die.”, the famous Shakespeare quote is phenomenal here.
When I read this quote, it brings up the constant quarterback quandary the Denver Broncos have found themself in since the retirement of Peyton Manning. Rodgers would be the immediate elixir that this franchise has sought out since.
While the potion may only provide you 3-4 years of relief, would you accept pressing the stress down the road if it meant you would be in prime physique over those three to four years?
Absolutely!
Give Broncos Country those few years of immediate success, competition to Patrick Mahomes and the entire NFL. For a pride-ridden fan base, a successful one that does not handle mediocrity well, Rodgers would be an immediate fix.
Yes, I am aware that he is 37 years old. Yes, I am aware he has broken his collarbone twice in his career. I’m also aware that all things considered, he was the league’s MVP last year, succeeding Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, the current kings of the AFC.
With this current roster, the Denver Broncos should vault above everyone else in the entity of the league as Super Bowl favorites.
This defense is ready to press and shut opposing offenses out, even with the potential loss of rising start Bradley Chubb. Additionally, this offense is oozing with young talent, Rodgers would have the best weapons he has ever had.
Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, Melvin Gordon, KJ Hamler, Javonte Williams, and Albert Okwuegbunam would all feast. Rodgers would possess the ability to lead this offense to average 40+ plus a game, easily!
Notice I didn’t add Tim Patrick into that group, that is because I believe he would be a part of the package that could include Bradley Chubb, Teddy Bridgewater, 2 first-round draft picks and 2 second-round draft picks as well.
If Paton can land Rodgers, I would be confident in saying that during his tenure as a Bronco, records will be broken and he will hoist the Lombardi yet again. That would make the Denver Broncos the only franchise to have multiple super bowl championships with quarterbacks who won one under a previous regime, joining Peyton Manning.
Adding Rodgers should be a priority if he is made available. I have faith Paton understands this and would make it happen. Losing the draft picks would not hurt as much as people would expect as free agents would be drawn to play with this team.
Seth Williams is here to replace Tim Patrick regardless, and we could patchwork the edge position to fill the void of Bradley Chubb. Everson Griffen, a familiar face of Paton could be brought in to work a rotation with Malik Reed. Justin Houston, Trent Murphy, and Ryan Kerrigan are still available also.
Denver Broncos: 5 free agents to target post-NFL Draft
With many quality free agents still left on the market, the Denver Broncos should look to sign a few to help fill the remaining holes on the roster.
Aaron Rodgers covers up a lot of miscues, adding him to this roster would make this team a deep playoff team in 2021, if not in the final bout come February.