Who should the Broncos take in the Mile High Mock?

Over the next few days 31 NFL fans will participate in a live mock draft event. Their goal? To select the best players available for their respective franchises. There’s only one team in need of a general manager.

Your Denver Broncos.

What follows are the first eight picks in the Mile High Mock with a couple of thoughts from yours truly. My hope is that you find it informative and fun to consider what the Broncos should do at ninth overall.

After you vote, be sure to check back tomorrow at 12 to see who will wear orange and blue!

1.1 Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence - QB - Clemson

When Lucas Schuh was reached for comment he put to words what many have thought for months.

“Trevor Lawrence is the best QB in this draft class and the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck,” Schuh said. “He’s the perfect player for a rebuilding Jaguars franchise.”

1.2 New York Jets - Zach Wilson - QB - BYU

With the weeks between draft day and BYU’s pro day some had begun to wonder if Randall would take his Jets in another direction, but he stuck to the plan. When reached for comment he laid out his plan to get his new franchise passer up to speed.

“The Jets have not had a decent QB since, dare I say - early Mark Sanchez,” Randall said. “With the 2nd pick Saleh gets a young cornerstone to mold while he recreates a strong D in NYJ. I’d suspect a veteran QB like Alex Smith would bridge any learning curves early on. Wilson might have the highest ceiling in this draft, but will not be a day 1 impact maker, I’d assume. Eyes look to rebuild on a terrible offense.”

T.1.3 San Francisco 49ers - Mac Jones - QB - Alabama

After all sorts of smoke, we finally see the fire. The Niners really did trade three first round picks for Jones. Alabama’s signal caller is now the next in line to quarterback for Kyle Shanahan.

Taylor Kothe could not be reached for comment at this time.

1.4 Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts - TE - Florida

With the 49ers taking Jones there was all sorts of intrigue about what the Falcons would do. They only just restructured Matt Ryan’s contract and that proved enough to sway them away from the 4th QB in this 2021 class. Instead Matt Holder and Arthur Smith would add a unicorn to their offense.

1.5 Cincinnati Bengals - Ja’Marr Chase - WR - LSU

Pitts landing in Atlanta didn’t phase Ben Chase and the Bengals, who never considered the Florida tight end. The pick was all about reuniting Joe Burrow with his superstar teammate.

T.1.6 Miami Dolphins - Penei Sewell - OT - Oregon

According to my sources, Nick and the Miami Dolphins did want to take Pitts or Chase. With both gone, they chose to solidify the trenches. Sewell has been working at right and left tackle in the lead up to the draft, something that should only help him if the Phins wish for him to protect Tua Tagovailo’s blindside.

1.7 Detroit Lions - Justin Fields - QB - Ohio State

No one knew what to expect from the rebuilding Lions. To his credit, Jake Schwanitz played things close to the vest. He’d be an outstanding poker player if this GM thing doesn’t work out, but now that the Buckeye is coming to Michigan, plan B will have to wait.

1.8 Carolina Panthers - Rashawn Slater - OT - Northwestern

I have it on good authority that the Carolina Panthers were hoping Pitts would slide to them. The hope was Pitts could help provide Sam Darnold with a dominant tight end who could grow into his go-to weapon. With him off the board, Julian Trujillo chose the next best thing: a ghostbuster.

9. Who should the Denver Broncos select?