2021 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos 7-round mock

It’s time for the Broncos to make a clear decision about Drew Lock. The team’s 2021 NFL Draft could easily dictate their future at quarterback. 

The Broncos entered the 2020 NFL Draft with a clear plan to surround Drew Lock with the weapons required to succeed as a starting quarterback. It’s safe to say he failed to repay the franchise’s efforts. The question of what to do with Lock now becomes the single issue dominating Denver’s offseason.

The challenge facing the team’s front office is that they won just enough games last season to avoid the privilege of having an elite draft pick. They currently have the rights to make the No. 9 overall selection in April’s draft. That may not be high enough to secure a clear upgrade over Lock.

That means the Broncos might need to trade up if they want to really address the most important position in the modern NFL. The smart bet is that Denver will elect to give Lock one more chance to establish himself as a starter. That will permit the front office to use this year’s draft capital to fill some other big needs on the roster. This likely will end up being a one year stay of execution for Lock, but that decision will inform the team’s draft strategy.

The Broncos’ decision to release A.J. Bouye in a justifiable cost-saving move telegraphs their intentions in Round 1. Denver should be in a position to land the cornerback of their choice at No. 9. Some scouts might pound the table for Caleb Farley due to his outstanding athleticism, but Surtain is too good to pass up.

Don’t be surprised if he finds a way to become Alabama’s most successful player out of this year’s draft class. He lacks elite speed on the outside, but he has every other quality required to be a top-flight NFL starter. His ability to make plays in single coverage makes him a perfect fit for Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme.