2021 Broncos' Season, First Round Reaction

 


The pick is in and the Broncos, at the ninth pick in the First Round, selected cornerback Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama. Surtain is a good player, and was a top option at the position. In three years with Alabama he recorded 116 tackles, 24 passes defensed, four interceptions and four forced fumbles. He could be a fixture in the Broncos' secondary for years to come.

The surprise in George Paton's first draft pick wasn't the quality of the player, but how it fit with the Broncos' off-season. The team came into the off-season needed to address the secondary but, through free agency, that seemed to be pretty much handled. The Broncos locked up safety Justin Simmons on a long-term contract, and were able to bring Kareem Jackson back on a one-year deal. The team also added Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller at cornerback through free agency, while returning Bryce Callahan, Michael Ojemudia, and Essang Bassey, among others.

So, Surtain is a great and talented pick, just a surprise given Denver's work at the position. But the Broncos have been working to shore up other positions as well. This week, the Broncos made a trade to acquire quarterback Teddy Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers.

Bridgewater, set to enter his eighth professional season, began his career in Minnesota. As a second year player, Bridgewater started all 16 games, throwing for 3,231 yards, 14 TDs and nine INTs. A horrific injury then cost him the better part of two years. He found a landing spot in New Orleans and did quite well in a five-game stint backing up Drew Brees in 2019. That led to him signing a large free agent contract with the Panthers last off-season.

During that season, Bridgewater went 4-11 in 15 starts. He threw for 3,733 yards and 15 TDs with 11 INTs. He did add 279 yards rushing and five TDs, but it was clear he wasn't a fit for Matt Rhule. The Panthers traded for Sam Darnold and that made Bridgewater expendable. Now, the veteran comes in and will provide depth and veteran competition along with Drew Lock. That, presumably, is a large part of the reason why the Broncos passed on Justin Fields and Mac Jones at the No. 9 pick.

As we head into the second day of the draft, and Round Two and Round Three, there is plenty of talent out there for the Broncos to add to needs. Denver has the eighth pick in Round Two and seventh pick in Round Three. Top needs would include offensive line help, a linebacker and a running back. I'd expect the Broncos to address those needs in tonight's action.

In fact, a player I'm watching to see if he will fall is Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who I thought would be a first round selection. Also of interest on the defensive side of the ball is safety Trevon Moehrig, defensive tackle Christian Barmore and edge rush specialist Azeez Ojulari.

If the Broncos look at a running back in the third, a target I'd like is Ohio State back Trey Sermon or Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson.

Day Two of the NFL Draft kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. EST. 

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