2021 NFL Draft: Huge QB trades in pre-Super Bowl mock draft
2021 NFL Draft: 9th pick
45. Oregon. Penei Sewell. 9. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OT
This selection for the Denver Broncos would come down to an offensive tackle, cornerback, or likely trade down possibilities. Maybe they would go with Trey Lance if they fall in love with him as a staff.
New general manager George Paton comes over from the Minnesota Vikings, inheriting a roster he called a “sleeping giant”.
The Broncos won seven games in 2019 with a very young offensive roster. Getting even younger in 2020, the team took a step back with more injuries than just about any other team in the league (the 49ers would like a word).
Because of the team’s injuries and veterans on defense, it will be interesting to see what strings Paton starts pulling.
On the offensive side of the ball, the work is not done. The Broncos signed Ja’Wuan James in 2019 to be their right tackle and he barely played in his first year with the team due to a knee injury that had him uncomfortable all year despite being medically cleared to play.
In 2020, James opted out of the season and his contract tolled to 2021.
The Broncos are contractually tied to James in 2021 but that’s just about it. They would be under no obligation to play him if a situation like this presented itself.
Penei Sewell could go in the top five picks easily, but a number of scenarios have had him falling outside of the top 10 lately and I think the Broncos — who spent a ton of time scouting Justin Herbert at Oregon — would have a really good idea of the type of player they’d be getting here.
Sewell would kick over to the right tackle position with Garett Bolles having a breakthrough in 2020, and this pick would set Denver’s offensive line for years to come.