Denver Broncos way-too-early four-round 2021 NFL mock draft
Denver Broncos way-too-early 2021 four-round mock draft predictions.
The Denver Broncos have assembled an impressive group of young, talented players on both sides of the football, especially on offense through the last three draft classes.
Quarterback Drew Lock has become the foundation piece for the Broncos after the failed 2016 first-round investment in Paxton Lynch.
Lock started five games for the Broncos in 2019 and galvanized a beaten and battered roster, helping them win four of those final five games.
After Lock’s impressive finish to the 2019 season, the Broncos decided to build around him in the 2020 offseason, adding high-priced free agents like offensive guard Graham Glasgow and running back Melvin Gordon before drafting Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, and Lloyd Cushenberry III in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.
It’s clear that the Broncos believe they have a solid defense in place, at least for 2020, to let a young offense grow together with veteran play-caller Pat Shurmur, who has made some lemonade with a lot less talent in recent coaching gigs. Does anyone remember the 2017 Minnesota Vikings?
With what the Broncos have already assembled offensively, how might they attack the 2021 NFL Draft?
It’s impossible to know right now how COVID-19 will impact the Broncos’ player personnel situation in terms of free agency in 2021, but we can project some of their needs based on pending free agents and the likelihood of those players returning to Denver beyond this season.
Based on top free agents, some of the Broncos’ top needs in 2020 could end up being:
- Linebacker (Todd Davis, UFA)
- Safety (Justin Simmons, UFA)
- Offensive tackle (Garett Bolles & Elijah Wilkinson, UFAs)
- Defensive line (Shelby Harris & Mike Purcell, UFAs)
Then, factoring in the fact that the Broncos could have some cap casualties like safety/defensive back Kareem Jackson, possibly even 2020 acquisitions like AJ Bouye if he doesn’t perform up to par, there’s no telling what the team’s priorities for the 2021 NFL Draft could be.
With a very relative level of confidence in some projected needs, let’s try to predict the first four picks of the Broncos’ 2021 NFL Draft.