Where do the Broncos needs align with the talent in the NFL Draft? That’s the question facing George Paton in his first offseason. After a 5-11 finish the new general manager has the chance to drastically overhaul the Denver Broncos and truly set sail on a brand new era.
With so much uncertainty hanging over the current roster, I thought it time to reveal where my heads at with the upcoming draft. In the name of transparency I want to admit that the following list is based upon the tape I’ve watched as well as reports, interviews, etc. from a number of trusted sources.
- Expand the Box Score
- Sports Info Solutions
- The Draft Network
- Pro Football Focus
- Lance Zierlein
- The Athletic’s Dane Brugler
- Damian Parson
- J.T. Thomas
- Cyril Penn
- Craig Stout
- Matt Williams
- Nate Tice
- Zach Hicks
- Austin Gayle
- Coach Alexander
- Coach Vass
- Coach Vaughn
- Justin Melo
- Seth Galina
- J Moyer
- Nick Korte
- Brad Spielberger
- Ben Glassmire
- Kent Lee Platte
- Derrik Klassen
- Cecil Lammey
- Tim Jenkins
- Dan Hatman
- Mark Schofield
- J.T. O’Sullivan
- Doug Farrar
- Daniel Jeremiah
- Brandon Thorn
I believe that at the end of the day the NFL Draft is the lifeblood of your football team. My hope as a fan of the Denver Broncos is that whoever George Paton drafts will become a Hall of Famer.
As an analyst it is my job to try and provide you with who I believe are the best fits at positions of relative or dire need for the Broncos. At the end of the day this list is hopelessly subjective. There is also a missing ingredient that George Paton and the Broncos have: they have a chance to speak with and interview the players as well as feel out their fit in the locker room and scheme in a way I can’t. They also have the resources to dig into prospects in ways most can hardly imagine.
Without those factors lists can only go so far, and yet I hope that it better informs you on how individual prospects could help the Broncos’ roster.
Tier 1: Trade up candidates
The players Paton should aggressively pursue
1.1 QB1 Trevor Lawrence - Clemson
1.2 QB2 Justin Fields - Ohio State
1.3 QB3 Zach Wilson - BYU+
1.4 OT1 Penei Sewell - Oregon*
1.5 TE - Kyle Pitts - Florida
Tier 2: Ideal at 9
The following prospects look like great picks at the Broncos current draft slot.
1.6 QB4 Trey Lance - NDSU
1.7 CB1 Patrick Surtain II - Alabama CB1
1.8 CB2 Caleb Farley - Virginia Tech+*
1.9 OT2 Rashawn Slater - Northwestern*
Tier 3: First round talent
The following prospects should warrant early consideration from the Broncos.
1.10 OT3 Teven Jenkins - Oklahoma State+
1.11 ED1 Azeez Ojulari - Georgia+
1.12 OT4 Christian Darrisaw - Virginia Tech
1.13 ED2 Kwity Paye - Michigan
1.14 S1 Trevon Moehrig - TCU
1.15 Star Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - Notre Dame
1.16 DL1 Christian Barmore - Alabama
1.17 LB1 Micah Parsons - Penn State*
1.18 CB3 Jaycee Horn - South Carolina
1.19 ED3 Jaelen Phillips - Miami+
1.20 CB4 Greg Newsome - Northwestern+
1.21 LB2 Zaven Collins - Tulsa
1.22 QB5 Mac Jones - Alabama#
* Prospect opted out for the entirety of the 2020 season and ranking reflects best outcome.
+ Prospect has a noteable medical question and ranking reflects best outcome.
#Positional scarcity impacts ranking
BPA?
Due to the Broncos current roster the following prospects currently look miscast. Thanks to the lingering possibility of a Deshaun Watson or even Russell Wilson trade as well as questions about the 2021 status of Tim Patrick, Phillip Lindsay, Alexander Johnson and Melvin Gordon, they need to remain under consideration.
Because I have not studied most of them properly it’s hard to currently weigh them against the rest of the board, so they’re here for now.
WR DeVonta Smith - Alabama
WR Jaylen Waddle - Alabama
WR Ja’Marr Chase - LSU
RB Najee Harris - Alabama
RB Ja’Vonte Williams - North Carolina
WR Rashod Bateman - Minnesota