Are you mocking me? A way-too-early 2021 Broncos mock draft

Let’s play GM. | Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images

Who should the Broncos select?

It’s never too early to dig into the the draft, and this week that means it’s time to start our inaugural 2021 Mock draft series! I know for many it’s hard to get too into future needs with 15 games left to be played, but if the Broncos are going to “win from now on,” I sure hope Elway is paying attention to college football.

A couple things before we get rolling:

1. I’m using the Draft Network’s Mock Machine. So any complaints about draft order should go their way.
2. My thoughts on prospects will change as we get more information leading up to the draft. I’m learning about next year’s draftees just as you are. At this point in the process I’m leaning pretty heavily on scouting reports and what I already know about the Broncos’ scheme. So I’d love to discuss your thoughts on the players I pick.

Let’s get rolling!

T.1.22. Shaun Wade - Cornerback - Ohio State

Following the loss to the Tennessee Titans last Monday, the Broncos are now slated for 11th in the draft order. Rather than grind my teeth over that, I took advantage. Trey Lance is hanging around at 11 and three different teams called me with offers. The Pittsburgh Steelers offered a first, second, and sixth so I had to take it. Ben Roethlisberger has his heir, and I have more ammo.

When it came to the pick I had a choice between Georgia’s Tyson Campbell and Wade. While the former is far more proven on the boundary, Wade’s experience and versatility won me over. He’s a physical player and isn’t afraid to mix it up with receivers, blockers, or ball carriers. Keep an eye on him this year as he will get a chance to play outside now that he’s returned to Ohio State.

Other than Campbell, I was tempted to take a chance on Texas tackle Samuel Cosimi. He’s a toolsy blindside protector that could step in and thrive under Mike Munchak’s tutelage. I thought Wade too good to pass up on, especially with questions about both A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan’s durability.

Ohio State CB Shaun Wade just announced on SportsCenter that he is opting into the 2020 college football season. One of the best players in the country is back for the Buckeyes.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 17, 2020

T.2.43. Chazz Surratt - Linebacker - North Carolina

It’s hard to forget how many different athletic linebackers the Broncos showed interest in last year. If the Baltimore Ravens hadn’t selected him, we’d be rooting for Patrick Queen this fall. While Josey Jewell looked good in his debut, I suspect Fangio knows his athletic limitations will still damn the defense against Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Enter Surratt, a freaky athlete with the range and explosiveness to grow into a second level stopper.

Prospect that I came away impressed by the most from the UNC-Syracuse game was LB Chazz Surratt (6-2, 227). HIGH energy, physical as a blitzer/tackler and highly aware in coverage (former QB).

9 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and 2.0 sacks.

— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) September 15, 2020

T.2.47. Ar’Darius Washington - Safety - TCU

For the price of a sixth-rounder, the Bears let me get up to snag the heir to Kareem Jackson. Ar’Darius Washington is pretty undersized at just 5’8 and only 180lbs when he’s soaking wet, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in tenacity and aggressiveness. Reading this jumped out to me:

Physicality as a run supporter shows up often and he’s often been able to save the day as the last line of defense. While not afforded opportunities to play it often except in the red zone, he’s shown to be adequate in man coverage as he has the smoothness and athleticism to cover slot options.

The Broncos want safeties who can mirror in coverage as well as a fearlessness to attack the run in the alley. What’s more, the Horned Frogs play a ton of Quarters coverage which is on the rise as the league tries to find a way to combat all of the spread concepts.

TCU's Ar'Darius Washington (@ad_washington24) is something SPECIAL.

Natural ball skills and playmaking ability
Fluid hips and quality range
Triggers downhill with intensity
Undersized, but sound and tenacious tackler
Earl Thomas vibes?

Definite name to monitor. pic.twitter.com/xa2Co2fovr

— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick3) June 12, 2020

3.75. Liam Eichenberg - Left Tackle - Notre Dame

I got three different trade offers for this pick and never thought twice about any of them. While I want to spend more time watching Eichenberg’s play in the run game and how he’d fit the Broncos rushing game under Pat Shurmur, his prowess in pass protection would be nice. I also like that he’s battle tested on the blindside with more than 20 starts and counting.

Some will hate this pick because Garett Bolles played above expectations Monday night. Keep in mind that with his fifth year option declined he is eligible to become a free agent in 2021, so even if he blossoms this year under Munchak it is no guarantee he sticks around.

Liam Eichenberg on the evolution of Notre Dame’s running game: “One of the things we didn’t do a good job in last year was trusting outside zone. That’s one of the things coach Rees wants to run and we need to run to be an efficient offense.”

— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) September 15, 2020

Broncos News

Should the Denver Broncos fire Vic Fangio after one week? - Mile High Report

No. No they shouldn’t.

Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers final injury report: Week 2 - Mile High Report

The Denver Broncos could be without Courtland Sutton in Week 2 as the star wide receiver was listed as questionable in the teams final practice report.

Broncos sign another backup linebacker - Mile High Report

Anthony Chickillo, a former Steeler who most recently was on the Saints’ practice squad, was signed on Friday.

Denver Broncos film breakdown: Defending crossing routes - Mile High Report

Taking a deep dive into one of the defense’s struggles from the Denver Broncos 16-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Things I think I think about the Denver Broncos after one week - Mile High Report

Encouraging play from a painful loss.

NFL News

C.J. Anderson retires after seven professional seasons

“I got to play in three [Super Bowls] and almost had a chance to win one two years ago, which is amazing,” Anderson said Friday, via DenverBroncos.com. “I think Super Bowl 50, even though I didn’t end it like Jerome Bettis did at home, but it was [near] home. I had a lot family and friends there. I had a lot of family and friends come up. To win, to play successfully in the game, to have 100 yards all-purpose, ... to have a bulk of the yards on the offense and being locked in, that was fun. And everything that came after it was even better.

James Conner good to go for Sunday - ProFootballTalk

Conner was a full participant in practice the last two days and he was not given an injury designation for Week Two.

Rams, WR Robert Woods agree to four-year, $65 million extension

Woods gets $4.5 million in new money in the two existing years of his current contract, Rapoport added. The first year of the new extension, 2022, is set to pay Woods $13.5 million, meaning the wideout will receive $18 million in new money through 2022, per Rapoport.

Word of Muth: Cam Unleashed | Football Outsiders

In his first appearance with New England, Cam Newton carried the ball more times than he has in any game since 2014. Offensive line expert Ben Muth breaks down all the creative ways the Patriots used their new quarterback — and how he got help from the big fellas in front of him.

NFL won’t move trade deadline from Election Day - ProFootballTalk

Despite the NFL’s unprecedented focus on voting, which includes a decision to close league and team facilities, the NFL won’t be moving its trade deadline from the day set aside for most in-person voting. Via Sports Business Daily, the NFL sent a memo to all teams “laying out the procedures for closing all the club and league facilities for Election Day.” However, Election Day will continue to be the last day for trades.

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