Peter King mocks Trey Lance to the Broncos at No. 9

Peter King’s annual mock draft was released Monday morning and according to King the Denver Broncos will be drafting their eighth quarterback since 2010.

Football Morning In America is up! In my column:

🏈 My one + only MOCK DRAFT. I won't go 32 for 32.
🏈 QBs go 1-2-3, then 8-9
🏈 First defender goes at 10
🏈 Don't be surprised if these 2 vets are traded
🏈 Two trades go down in the early 20s
🏈 More!https://t.co/00u8cyWROy pic.twitter.com/hLZjRM1sMw

— Peter King (@peter_king) April 26, 2021

King has the Broncos staying at No. 9 and selecting North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance.

“Very nearly had a trade here—Denver dealing its first and second-round picks (9 and 40) to Detroit for the seventh pick, to take Lance. Denver GM George Paton still may do it, but I’m dubious the Lions will get anyone between 10 and 15 leapfrogging the two QB spots—Carolina and Denver—to take one of the quarterbacks” King wrote. “Paton is a lover of picks, so I’m not sure he’d surrender a starting player with the 40th pick to ensure getting Lance. In an ideal world, Lance goes somewhere like Atlanta to learn behind a good vet for a year or two, but in this case he’d probably challenge Drew Lock for the starting job by Halloween.”

King states that Denver almost traded up in his mock to take Lance off the board, but general manager George Paton is known for holding on to picks instead of trading.

The Atlanta Falcons are a team that would “love” a trade-down situation come Thursday night, but King says the likelihood of that happening is low.

“It’s certainly possible, but I’m leaning against the reality of it,” King wrote. “Denver going from nine to four makes the most sense, but Broncos GM George Paton comes from the draft-and-develop-and-acquire-picks school. The cost for New England, Washington or Chicago seems monstrous.”

It’s important to note that King’s selection of Lance at nine is under the assumption that Drew Lock will be the Broncos’ starter.

Paton has said all offseason that they will be bringing in competition for Lock, but King reiterates in his column that if Lance (or any decent quarterback) is available the team should jump on the opportunity.

“So many people are in love with Lance the prospect and it’s easy to see why. Excellent arm, good mobility, precocious player and leader,” King wrote. “The one thing to keep in mind with Denver: Paton’s not going to go nuts for a quarterback; he’s okay with giving Lock first dibs here. However, Paton also understands he may not be in a power position to get the next quarterback like the one he would have if this scenario plays out.”

Could there be any surprises on draft night? Of course.

King wrote that it wouldn’t surprise him if the Broncos do not draft a quarterback and make a mid-round deal for Teddy Bridgewater with Carolina.

Basically, anything can happen on Thursday night and Broncos Country is along for the ride.