Broncos Country should be thinking about what could’ve been
Apr 30, 2021, 9:20 PM
Oh, what could’ve been? It’s hard not to ask that question in Broncos Country when it comes to the first two nights of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Coming into the weekend, Denver had a pretty solidified starting lineup. They’re loaded on defense, boasting a group that most people predict will be a top-10 unit in 2021. And on offense, they have a lot of young talent, a bevy of weapons and offensive lineman added in recent drafts.
There were really only two glaring weaknesses. Of the 22 starting positions, only quarterback and middle linebacker are problematic on paper.
So addressing those two issues would’ve been a great way for George Paton to begin his tenure as the Broncos general manager. Checking both of those boxes right out of the gates would’ve been cause for excitement in the Mile High City.
And Denver had a chance. It was there for the taking.
In the first round, the Broncos stayed at No. 9 and still had two of the best quarterbacks left on the board when they’re pick rolled around. They passed on Justin Fields and Mac Jones, however, choosing instead to select cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
Surtain is a really good player. But Denver already has plenty of players at that position. Surtain joins a group that includes Bryce Callahan, Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller and Michael Ojemudia. The rookie most likely won’t start this season, but he will move into that roll by 2022.
One chance to fill a void missed.
To start the second round, Denver held the No. 41 overall pick. They traded up, however, moving to No. 36 and taking Javonte Williams.
The North Carolina running back is a bruiser. At 5-foot-10, 220 pounds, he’ll bring another element to the Broncos offense. But he won’t start; that role will go to Melvin Gordon this season.
Denver could’ve landed a dynamic middle linebacker. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was on the board. The Notre Dame star is a sideline-to-sideline player, one that is great in coverage. That certainly would’ve looked good every time Travis Kelce and the Chiefs were on the schedule.
Another chance to fill a void missed.
Had the Broncos used their first two picks differently, their starting lineup for 2021 would be pretty special. It’d be hard not to be excited about what this group could do.
OFFENSE
QB – Justin Fields
RB – Melvin Gordon
WR – Jerry Jeudy
WR – Courtland Sutton
WR – K.J. Hamler
TE – Noah Fant
LT – Garett Bolles
LG – Dalton Risner
C – Lloyd Cushenberry
RG – Graham Glasgow
RT – Ja’Wuan James
DEFENSE
DE – Shelby Harris
NT – Mike Purcell
DE – Dre’Mont Jones
OLB – Von Miller
ILB – Alexander Johnson
ILB – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
OLB – Bradley Chubb
CB – Kyle Fuller
CB – Ronald Darby
S – Kareem Jackson
S – Justin Simmons
Find the weakness. Find the flaw.
Sure, a rookie quarterback would have some struggles. But with that kind of talent around him, a creative offensive coordinator could’ve found a way to utilize Fields’ strengths, while hiding his weaknesses.
And on defense, the top-10 talk starts to sound too conservative. That group has the chance to be the best in the league. They wouldn’t have had a glaring weakness.
Instead, the Broncos added two players who won’t crack those lineups. Quarterback will be Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater. The middle linebacker next to Johnson will be Josey Jewell. Those are glaring weaknesses, problems opponents can exploit on a weekly basis.
George Paton could’ve made a splash. The new general manager could’ve excited Broncos Country. He could’ve provided hope in Denver.
Instead, he left everyone wondering one thing. What might’ve been?
