Denver Broncos at NFL Draft 2021: Which players could they pick?

Last year was a measly season for the Denver Broncos, and much of the deception fell on the shoulders of their 2019 draft pick Drew Lock. Entering this years draft, opinions are mixed in the Mile High City.

The Broncos went 5-11 and struggled terribly on the offensive side of the ball. A dreadful passing game led to a hampered running attack as opposing defenses flooded the line, forcing Lock to beat them in the air.

Many placed blame on Lock for sub .500 seas

While many in the Colorado capital will lay the blame solely on the shoulders their play caller, there were plenty of short comings on the offensive end.

It’s true that Lock threw just one more touchdown than interceptions last year, and the league lead in INT’s last season with 16. But the run game was dreadful all season long. Denver’s starting running back Melvin Gordon failed to reach 1,000 yards, and the backs combined for just 13 rushing TD’s in 16 regular season games.

The positions Denver are looking to fill on the offensive end are: quarterback, running back and offensive tackle On the defensive end they have already sured up one piece of the secondary scooping up Ronald Darby in the free agency. They could use some strengthening at corner and linebacker.

John Elway and GM George Patton will have many decisions to make, but none will be more important than what they do with the ninth pick in the draft.

Patton has admitted he is open to the idea of trading either up or down from the ninth spot if the right offer presents itself.

There is no guarantee the executives will take a QB with their first pick in this years draft. A lot depends on what happens in the first eight picks but if Justin Fields or Trey Lance fall to the ninth spot. John Elway is long overdue to bring in a quality quarterback that will be the face of the future, and if the opportunity presents itself look for the Broncos to pounce.

Denver could go defensive if a QB is taken in the first round

CBS Sports has Texas Longhorn edge rusher Joseph Ossai going to Denver in the 40th pick. UCF’s Richie Grant could be another option for the Mile High franchise, Grant was a ball hawk at safety over the last few years and would give more depth to the Bronco secondary.

If they wait until the later rounds to draft a running back to play behind Melvin Gordon, Pooka Williams might be someone to keep an eye on. The KU Jayhayk runs a sub 4.4 forty and can catch out of the back field. He was also used as a kick returner in college, which could add a bit flair to a flat Denver Special Teams squad who struggled last season.

The headline for Denver will be who they selected with the ninth pick, if they don’t trade it away. But one player won’t fix all the problems the Broncos encountered last year. A good draft will certainly help them if not immediate future, in the years to come.