Be the GM: Broncos Vote Mock 4.0

Over the last month we’ve seen Justin Simmons receive another franchise tag and A.J. Bouye and Jurrell Casey receive walking papers. George Paton had a press conference with plenty of vague answers that leave him plenty of wiggle room in the days ahead.

It’s an exciting time in Broncos Country. Hope springs eternal. What better time than now to have the fourth edition of our Broncos Vote Mock. To add to the fun I’ve decided to throw a bit of a wildcard into this mock - before he gave you the keys, Paton took a future first round pick from New Orleans in a trade down.

Let’s get cooking.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - QB - Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

You know they’re going to do it. I know they’re going to do it. Let’s move on.

2. New York Jets - QB - Zach Wilson - BYU

More and more this looks like a near certainty. I didn’t run with this last Vote Mock, so going to throw it here. Wilson makes a ton of sense in the Shanahan/Kubiak system that the Jets look like they’re gearing up to run. It also gives them a chance to flip Sam Darnold for draft capital.

3. Miami Dolphins - OT - Penei Sewell - Oregon

I don’t expect the Dolphins to make this pick, whether it’s a trade for Deshaun Watson or to a QB needy team. In this scenario no one meets Chris Grier’s demands, and Jack Easterby hates Tua Tagovailoa for some reason. As the clock ticks down, Miami grabs who some consider a generational tackle and leave Brian Flores to figure it out. Maybe Austin Jackson can slide inside?

4. Atlanta Falcons - TE - Kyle Pitts - Florida

QB has been a popular spot here and rightfully so. The Falcons could be a perfect situation for Trey Lance because he’d have time behind Matt Ryan with Arthur Smith’s offense that made Ryan Tannehill relevant. Atlanta could also serve as a homecoming for Georgia native Justin Fields. Instead Terry Fontenot puts a stamp on the franchise with the freaky Pitts.

5. Cincinnati Bengals - WR - Ja’Marr Chase - LSU

Without Sewell to fall back on the Bengals reconnect Joe Burrow with an old friend. Some complain they should have grabbed Slater or Darrisaw.

6. Philadelphia Eagles - WR - Jaylen Waddle - Alabama

When you’re in Love you make a lot of choices you regret later. Philly turns down trade offers to grab their new starter a familiar face in hopes that he can turn easy catches into big plays. Word is the Lions wanted him?

7) Detroit Lions - RB - Najee Harris - Alabama

Half of Michigan is as happy as a bunch of fresh water clams. The lower half is mad that Brad Holmes didn’t even consider a pittance to slide down the board a little. A running back at seven? What is this 2007?

T8. Houston Texans - QB - Mac Jones - Alabama

Deshaun Watson’s a Panther. Mackorkle is going to Texas. Jack Easterby and David Culley set out to save the NFL from the 21st century.

T9) New Orleans Saints - QB - Justin Fields - Ohio State

With three quarterbacks on the board George Paton looks at you and says “I did a deep drive on Drew. Like I said in my press conference, he’s very talented. He was inconsistent at times and has a lot to work on, but I’ve spoken with Drew. I see him every day. He’s here early and he’s working. He really wants to be great. We’re always going to try and bring in competition to every position, the quarterback as well. I like the trek that Drew is on.”

Sean Payton takes Justin Fields and says he can blend the best of Drew Brees with what Taysom Hill did against the Broncos.

10. Dallas Cowboys - CB - Caleb Farley - Virginia Tech

The coaching staff begs for Patrick Surtain, but Jerry sees a burgeoning superstar. He paid good money to call the shots.

11. New York Giants - LB - Micah Parsons - Penn State

Where some see off field concerns, Dave Gettleman sees a future Hall of Famer.

12 San Francisco 49ers - QB - Trey Lance - NDSU

Kyle Shanahan almost kills Lynch when he balks at two firsts to get up to Denver. Shanny almost dies when the Saints wind up at the podium. In the end, he gets his guy and Lance has a chance to sit and learn in a system he can wreck in.

13. Los Angeles Chargers - OL - Rashawn Slater - Northwestern

While everyone else is stuck debating where Slater plays, Tom Telesco grabs a steal. Again.

14. Minnesota Vikings - OT - Christian Darrisaw - Virginia Tech

Rick Spielman lets out a sigh of relief. Darrisaw’s thrown into the fire early in the Kubiak system where he’ll have a chance to make the most of his mobility teeing of on smaller defenders.

15. New England Patriots - Patrick Surtain II - Alabama

There’s a sub on reddit about what Saban said to scouts so Surtain landed with Bill.

16) Arizona Cardinals - ED - Kwity Paye - Michigan

While J.J. Watt’s a huge addition, he costs the Cards a chance to keep both Chandler Jones and Haason Riddick. Paye gives Vance Joseph another versatile chess piece that can play up and down the line of scrimmage. Arizona gives the Wolverine a chance to learn from Watt in a scheme that frees him up for easy one on ones.

17. Las Vegas Raiders - DL - Christian Barmore - Alabama

The jokes about Mayock scouting three games continue.

18. Miami Dolphins - WR - DeVonta Smith - Alabama

Miami gets their WR1 and Tua quickly changes Smith’s tune.

T19. Pittsburgh Steelers - OL - Alijah Vera-Tucker - USC

The Big Ben retirement tour demands big bodies to keep him upright.

T20. Seattle Seahawks - ED - Ronnie Perkins - Oklahoma

Tell me this would surprise you after the last five years.

21. Indianapolis Colts - WR - Rashod Bateman - Minnesota

Chris Ballard digs Big Ten prospects and Bateman gives Carson Wentz another big target to throw to.

22. Tennessee Titans - OT - Teven Jenkins - OSU

With limited funds to upgrade the roster in free agency Robinson chases some fliers on receivers and corners with an eye on the lines of scrimmage in the draft.

23. New York Jets - CB - Jaycee Horn - South Carolina

Horn lands in a perfect spot to maximize his strengths and quickly becomes the face of Saleh’s defense.

T24. Green Bay Packers - Jaelen Phillips - Miami

Given another chance at picks Martin Mayhew falls further down the board. The Pack move up to add punch to their pass rush and shrug off concerns about Phillips’ injury history.

25. New England Patriots - LB - Zaven Collins - Tulsa

Given the opportunity at a loaded secondary, Belichick instead trades Stephon Gilmore to his old friend. With the 25th pick in the NFL Draft he takes a swing on the freaky fish from a small pond.

26. Cleveland Browns - ED - Azeez Ojulari - Georgia

The Browns want to make Myles Garett’s life easier and the Bulldog should do just that.

T27. Kansas City Chiefs - OT - Samuel Cosmi - Texas

After watching Patrick Mahomes’ best piñata impression, Reid grabs a bookend to insure against Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz’ injuries and age.

28) Denver Broncos - YOU Decide

Who would you pick Broncos’ Country?

Your Broncos’ News

District attorney will not file charges against Broncos DE Von Miller

There will be no criminal charges filed against Denver Broncos pass rusher Von Miller, the District Attorney’s Office of Centennial, Colorado announced Friday in a statement.

Denver Broncos have placed the franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons - Mile High Report

The Denver Broncos are keeping Justin Simmons with the team for at least one more season.

NFL free agent profile: Tackle Elijah Wilkinson - Mile High Report

Does it make sense for the Broncos to bring back Elijah Wilkinson? Does he want to stay in Denver?

NFL free agent profile: Defensive end DeMarcus Walker - Mile High Report

The Denver Broncos defense relies on a solid rotation of defensive linemen. Will DeMarcus Walker be resigned to be part of the rotation?

Report: Broncos met virtually with Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins - Mile High Report

The Broncos are showing interest in the projected first-round linebacker.

Denver Broncos to decide on Bradley Chubb’s fifth-year option after draft - Mile High Report

It is unlikely the Denver Broncos skip out on Bradley Chubb’s fifth-year option, but they will wait until they get through the 2021 NFL Draft to make that decision.

Denver Broncos plan to tender RFA Phillip Lindsay - Mile High Report

The Broncos need more from their running game, but will they resign the highly talented Phillip Lindsay?

NFL free agent profile: Quarterback Alex Smith - Mile High Report

Should the Broncos add a former Chief?

NFL News

Roundup: Cardinals releasing kicker Zane Gonzalez

The Washington Football Team released quarterback Alex Smith, with head coach Ron Rivera issuing a statement that “we decided that it would be best for both parties to move on and we will be granting Alex his request to be released.”

Is Daniel Snyder using bots to boost his case with the NFL? - ProFootballTalk

Via Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, someone has purchased Facebook ads that promote an article touting Snyder’s charitable activities. The article appears on NYCTalk.org, a sporadically-updated website that (among other things) currently asks the question, “What’s for Dinner this Valentine’s Day in NYC?” Then there are the bots.

Via Phillips, “A number of new users also appeared on Twitter — all female, all accounts created in October 2020, that have been tweeting out praise of Snyder’s efforts over the past week. The accounts appear to be ‘bots,’ which means they don’t represent actual people.”

Report: Bears’ top priority at QB is a Russell Wilson trade - ProFootballTalk

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bears have prioritized trading for Wilson as they make their plans to upgrade at quarterback this offseason.

Bills sign safety Micah Hyde to two-year extension through 2023

The Buffalo Bills have signed safety Micah Hyde to a two-year extension, the team announced Friday. The deal is worth $19.25 million