Denver Broncos mock draft: Trey Lance leads 7-round haul

The Denver Broncos, for the first time since 2011, will be going into the NFL Draft with someone other than John Elway in charge of things.

Former Minnesota Vikings executive George Paton, the right-hand man of Rick Spielman, has finally taken a general manager job after nearly a decade of receiving offers from around the league. How is he going to approach his first-ever draft as the man in charge?

The 2021 NFL Draft boasts a fascinating group of quarterbacks and offensive skill players. Could Paton go there after Drew Lock’s struggles in the 2020 season? It’s not impossible. In fact, it seems like that could be the direction things are heading for him.

Paton, along with Denver Broncos director of scouting (Paton’s de facto no. 2 in the front office) Brian Stark, and quarterbacks coach Mike Shula have attended the pro days of Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Zach Wilson.

The Broncos obviously know they don’t really have a shot at Wilson, so they probably went to Provo to see Wilson “just in case”.

Furthermore, the Denver Broncos sent offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to Justin Fields’ second throwing session at Ohio State, and Shurmur will be in attendance for Trey Lance’s second pro day session as well.

With all of that said, considering all of the rumors surrounding the San Francisco 49ers at pick no. 3 overall in this draft are centered around Mac Jones at the moment, it seems like the Denver Broncos would at least have a shot of one of Justin Fields or Trey Lance beyond the third pick, possibly even sticking around at pick number nine overall.

The Falcons may or may not take a QB at four. The Bengals are not taking one at five, nor are the Dolphins at six. The Lions could take one at seven, but that seems unlikely. The Panthers traded for Sam Darnold, so they don’t seem likely to take one at pick eight either.

Even if the Denver Broncos had to trade up a few picks, they could be in prime position to go after a young QB.

What could the 2021 NFL Draft look like for them if they do? (Note, this mock draft was made using Dane Brugler’s draft prospect rankings)