In his latest 2021 NFL mock draft (subscription required for link), ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Denver Broncos trading down from the ninth overall pick in the first round with the Minnesota Vikings.
Kiper has the top four quarterbacks — Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields and Trey Lance — going off the board in the first four picks. That helps Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell fall to No. 9, and Kiper has the Vikings trading extra picks to Denver to land Sewell.
Broncos general manager George Paton has said he plans to draft the best player available. If he truly means that, it’s hard to imagine Paton passing on Sewell, who would be the BPA if he falls to No. 9. Denver could move Sewell to right tackle to play across from second-team All-Pro left tackle Garett Bolles.
Kiper doesn’t envision that happening, though, as he has the Broncos trading down to Minnesota’s No. 14 pick. Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II (No. 10) and Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley (No. 12) go off the board before Denver’s new pick, so Kiper has them selecting Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
Kiper believes Parsons is the best off-ball linebacker in this year’s class, and his versatility would allow the Broncos to move him around on defense. Denver has been searching for a coverage linebacker for years, so Parsons wouldn’t be a surprising selection.
The Broncos are scheduled to have nine picks in April’s NFL draft.
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