Clayton: Broncos can be flexible, take best available at No. 9
Apr 9, 2021, 4:03 PM | Updated: 4:23 pm
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft has two situations that could affect the Denver Broncos.
First, he had the Detroit Lions taking Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields with the seven pick. Now that the Carolina Panthers have Sam Darnold as their quarterback for the next two years, he had the Panthers taking Rashawn Slater with the eighth pick.
Though I don’t agree with this, he has tackle Penei Sewell falling to Denver at No.9 with the Atlanta Falcons taking North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance at No. 4.
Getting Sewell will be an incredible steal for the Broncos, but I don’t see that happening. I have the Falcons taking Sewell and if that doesn’t happen, the Cincinnati Bengals won’t let him go beyond the fifth pick.
The Panthers possible selection of Slater at No. 8 makes sense. Left tackle Russell Okung is an unsigned Panthers free agent. They could take a cornerback or a wide receiver, but the second best blocker in the draft is a good fit.
In my second mock draft, I had the Broncos taking Slater. He has the best technique of the first-round offensive line prospects.
The Broncos have the option of taking the best player available. If Slater is gone, they might go with a defensive player — cornerback Patrick Surtain or linebacker Micah Parson.
The way I see my mock going, I could see Lance falling to the Broncos, but there could be another interesting option.
A story out of Washington indicates the Washington Football Team is willing to pay a lot to get Lance. That type of trade could be an interesting consideration for the Broncos. They can load up on draft choices this year and next year, with next year being more valuable.
While Lance would be intriguing for the Broncos, he’s not going to play much this season. He’s a quarterback for the future, not now. The Broncos need to win now.
They can get a good player with the ninth overall pick. Lance only has 17 games under his belt in college and only one last year. The Broncos want someone to compete against Drew Lock, not to eventually replace him.
As we get closer to the draft each day, situations get more interesting.
