Be the GM: Broncos Vote Mock 3.0

The last time we dove into a GM mock, Trevor Lawrence looked destined for the big apple. A lot has changed since then. Today I’m fortunate to be joined by one of my best friends and fellow draft nerd J.T. Thomas. We’ll swap back and forth as we try to fix each team leading up to your Denver Broncos.

Let’s get running.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - QB - Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

Simply put, Lawrence is the best quarterback prospect I’ve ever seen. Not only is he a great athlete, but an advanced passer who has thrived on the biggest stages that college football has to offer. I have every reason to believe that he’ll been an all pro type player in just a few years.

- J.T.

2. New York Jets - WR - Ja’Marr Chase

Joe Douglas shocks the NFL world by declining any trade offers to add a weapon. Chase has questions about his ability to separate, but he’s a bully at the catch point and can also take advantage of the intermediate area that a player like Denzel Mims could help to open up in year 2.

-Joe

T3) San Francisco 49ers - QB - Justin Fields

It feels like the 49ers are a quarterback away from being back in the super bowl. And sitting at pick 12, now is the time to move up and get a trigger man who can elevate the offense. Fields is athletic and accurate. And while I have e some questions with his mental processing, there might be no better situation for a quarterback in the NFL in terms of making things easy on the quarterback. A match made in heaven.

- J.T.

4. Atlanta Falcons - TE - Kyle Pitts

Arthur Smith is a former tight end coach and recongizes Pitts for what he is: a weapon who can step in and lift the whole offense. The Gator is sturdy enough to play inline in 11 personnel or motion into the slot or out wide and cause a litany of matchup problems. The draft value arguments will lit, and so will the scoreboard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

- Joe

5. Cincinnati Bengals - OT - Penei Sewell

The Bengals drafted their franchise quarterback first overall last year only to watch a promising rookie season come to an abrupt end. Protecting Joe Burrow has to be the top priority. And although I like current left tackle, Jonah Williams, I have confidence that the team can move one of these first round talents to the right side and have a pair of bookend bodyguards to protect the passer.

- J.T.

6. Philadelphia Eagles - Patrick Surtain II

I see this pick as one of the big wildcards near the top of the board. The Eagles are so far over the cap so their roster could look significantly different by the time the draft rolls around. At present corner looks like an urgent need and given the steep fall off for day 1 starters, Howie Roseman grabs a pro-ready Surtain.

- Joe

T7) Washington Football Team - QB - Zach Wilson

After a massive swing and miss on Dwayne Haskins two years ago, Football Team has to pay extra to move up and get their guy. This investment should provide great returns though. Wilson is ready to step in and lead an NFL offense. His mobility and ability to make “wow” throws all over the field will make him the offensive spark that Washington desperately needs. Combine that with the defense they already have and you can pencil them in for a return trip to the playoffs next season.

- J.T.

8. Carolina Panthers - LB - Micah Parsons

According to Sports Info Solutions, Brian Burns generated 50 individual pass pressures a year, twice what any other Panther notched. Carolina was also an abysmal team at defending the middle of the field against the pass. Parsons is one of the prospects in this class who should be able to immediately help Matt Rhule improve the pass rush while also bolstering a subpar off ball linebacking corps. He doesn’t come without questions, but in this scenario his off field concerns check out.

- Joe

9) Denver Broncos - YOU Decide

J.T’s vote: ED - Aziz Ojulari

I’m a firm believer that elite strengths win championships. So I want to make this Denver defense and their ability to get to the quarterback one of the best units in the NFL. And while Trey Lance is certainly worthy of consideration, I don’t trust the Broncos to develop him when they’re trying to move on from the last young quarterback they failed to develop.

Who would you pick Broncos’ Country?

Your Broncos’ News

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The Denver Broncos were not considered the better team when they hosted the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 of 2015, but they came away from that game still unbeaten.

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If the Broncos want to add a linebacker in 2021, these NFL Draft prospects are worth considering.

Bucky Brooks mocks cornerback Patrick Surtain II to Denver Broncos - Mile High Report

In Bucky Brooks latest mock draft, he has the Denver Broncos selecting Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II with the ninth overall selection.

If Deshaun isn’t a possibility, what about Dak? - Mile High Report

On Monday’s Broncos Country Tonight, Ryan Edwards and Benjamin Allbright discussed how going after Dak Prescott if he becomes available is the better blockbuster move for the Broncos.

The Broncos biggest issue is becoming irrelevant - Mile High Report

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NFL News

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Texans adding DC Lovie Smith’s son, Miles, as linebackers coach - ProFootballTalk

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Brett Favre throw stones at Deshaun Watson from the porch of a glass house - ProFootballTalk

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Ron Rivera on Cam Newton: Nothing is off the table - ProFootballTalk

“I think the biggest thing we can say, guys, is that we’re exploring all of our options,” Rivera said when asked about Newton, via Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports Washington. “Nothing is off the table. Again, as we go through this, we’re going to do what we believe is best for us.”

Sean Payton anticipates an “announcement” from Drew Brees within the next “week, week and a half” - ProFootballTalk

“I think within the next week, week-and-a-half we’ll get a little bit more information relative to Drew,” Saints coach Sean Payton told PFT Live on Wednesday. “We’ll wait on Drew’s announcement.”

Report: Some clinicians fear concussion settlement discriminates against Black players - ProFootballTalk

“The NFL insists that its concussion settlement program does not require the clinicians who evaluate former players for payouts to make race a factor in their determinations. Several of those clinicians, however, appear to disagree, and some of them fear that the league’s recommended protocols discriminate against Black players.”

Andy Reid: Chiefs’ offensive line isn’t pretty, but it’s scrappy - ProFootballTalk

The Chiefs’ offensive line is, heading into Super Bowl LV, practically held together by scotch tape. But Andy Reid isn’t panicking.

Clark Hunt thinks Competition Committee will look at end zone fumble rule - ProFootballTalk

“I do think the Competition Committee will look at that rule this year,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt told Chris “Mad Dog” Russo of SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio. “A lot of times it takes a catalyst play in an important game for the Competition Committee to dig in and think about changing a rule that’s been around for a long time. And certainly that play hurt the Browns, helped the Chiefs, had an impact on the course of the game so I do think there’s a good chance it’ll be looked at. I don’t know where the Committee will come down but I can see arguments on both sides.”

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Aaron Donald: Rams ‘shocked’ by Jared Goff trade, excited for Matthew Stafford’s arrival

Jared Goff’s trade didn’t surprise his former teammate, Todd Gurley, but stunned his current — and now former — teammates. One of those teammates was all-world defensive tackle Aaron Donald.