Clayton: PFF roster rankings show why QB has to be priority for Broncos

Since the signings of cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller, the Broncos have been in a position that they could just take the best players available in the 2021 NFL Draft. They don’t have any glaring needs to fill.

Sure, the big need is finding a quarterback to challenge Drew Lock and make him better. But Pro Football Focus backed up the idea that there aren’t big needs for the team.

Last week, they ranked the rosters of the 32 teams. Believe it or not, the Broncos came out with the sixth best roster in the NFL.

Tampa Bay was No. 1. Cleveland was No. 2. Kansas City was third. Green Bay ranked fourth. Buffalo was No. 5.

The Broncos are sixth, fifth best in the AFC. PFF said it would rank the Broncos higher the quarterback position was removed from the equations.

“Unfortunately, Drew Lock has yet to show much in the way of promise,” PFF said. “He is one of the three lowest-ranked passers over the last couple of seasons, while no quarterback in the NFL has thrown uncatchable balls at a higher rate.”

That’s why quarterback has to be a consideration at No. 9 or even a trade up scenario to get a quarterback. The keys for the Broncos is what happens at the No. 4 pick and No. 7. Three quarterbacks will go in three picks. I don’t think Atlanta will take one at No. 4. I don’t think Detroit will take one at No. 7. But if a fourth quarterback goes in the top seven, the Broncos might not get that fifth quarterback.

PFF thinks the Broncos defensive backfield might be the best in the NFL. They like Darby, Fuller and Bryce Callahan at cornerback, and Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson at safety.

The Broncos are three deep at wide receiver once Courtland Sutton comes back healthy. Melvin Gordon is a potential 1,000-yard back. The offensive line is good. Defensively, they might be a top-five projection.

More has to be done at the quarterback position if the Broncos hope they can lock down at playoff spot. That’s the glaring weakness of the roster.