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Denver Broncos favored to land QB in 2021 NFL Draft, top 3 options

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”756125″ player=”23231″ title=”3%20ideal%20landing%20spots%20for%20Kyle%20Trask%20in%20the%202021%20NFL%20Draft” duration=”62″ description=”Leading up to the start of the 2021 NFL Draft later this month, there has not been a lot of talk about Florida quarterback Kyle Trask. We already know that five signal callers will go in the first round, starting with Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars.A Heisman finalist in 2020, Trask has not been bandied about as a first-round pick. Until now. According to Peter King of NBC Sports, there’s a growing expectation that Trask will be the sixth quarterback off the board in the initial round.Kyle Trask’s stats with the Gators last season suggests that he could very well perform at a high level in the NFL. The prototypical 6-foot-5 signal caller threw for 4,283 yards while leading the NCAA 43 touchdowns and throwing a mere eight interceptions.” uploaddate=”2021-04-13″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/756125_t_1618342173.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/756125.mp4″]

It’s not a secret that new Denver Broncos general manager George Paton is looking for an upgrade at quarterback over Drew Lock. Denver was linked to Matthew Stafford ahead of his trade to the Los Angeles Rams and had interest in Deshaun Watson before multiple sexual assault allegations became public record.

After striking out on quarterback options leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, the Broncos are looking to find a long-term solution in the first round of the annual event.

There’s a chance that they look to move up from the ninth pick for one of the top-four quarterbacks. Denver could stand pat and hope that one of the five guaranteed first-round quarterbacks falls on to their laps. The team could also trade down in an attempt to get a gem later in the first round.

What we do know is that oddsmakers now have the Denver Broncos taking a quarterback in the opening round later this month. DraftKings has quarterback as the favorite at -143 followed by offensive line at +400. This is a major difference. And it leads us to believe that this is the direction Paton and Co. will go. Below, we rank the top-three options for Denver.

Read More: Denver Broncos mock draft: 7-round 2021 NFL Draft projections with trades

Denver Broncos trade up for Justin Fields or Trey Lance

Denver Broncos draft Justin Fields
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) warms up before playing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 CFP National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

As of right now, it’s a near lock that Trevor Lawrence will go No. 1 and Zach Wilson will be the second quarterback off the board to the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively. It’s what the 49ers plan to do at three after pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins that is the talk of the NFL Draft.

It continues to be suggested by the national media that San Francisco is targeting Alabama’s Mac Jones at three. If that does come to fruition, the Atlanta Falcons will be in a great position to trade down from the fourth selection with Denver being an optimal partner. Denver would give up Drew Lock, its third-round pick in 2021 and a first-round selection in 2022 under this scenario.

The question would then become who Denver selects with the fourth pick. Fields is seen as an absolutely dynamic dual-threat quarterback with a cannon of an arm. Meanwhile, Lance might boast the most upside of any quarterback in the draft after dominating lesser competition at North Dakota State. Whoever the Broncos target here, it would be a franchise-altering trade for Paton and Co.

Read More: 2021 NFL Draft big board: Ranking top 100 prospects

Denver Broncos roll the dice, stay at nine

Denver Broncos draft Mac Jones
Jan 26, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; American quarterback Mac Jones of Alabama (10) drills during National team practice during the 2021 Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, it seems to be likely that one of the top-five quarterbacks will be on the board when Denver is slated to pick ninth. Of course, things can change dramatically should other quarterback-needy franchises such as the New England Patriots, Washington Football Team or Chicago Bears move up for a signal caller.

That’s what we’d call rolling the dice. Perhaps, some of the narrative surrounding Fields continues to draft day and he drops to the Broncos. That would be a major win. Heck, there’s a chance that Paton is intrigued by a more prototypical signal caller in Mac Jones. He could be available at nine. It would be a risk, but the Broncos could then potentially look to trade down if one of the top quarterbacks is not on the board.

Read More: 3 ideal landing spots for Kyle Trask in the 2021 NFL Draft

Denver Broncos trade down, land hidden gem

Philadelphia Eagles draft Kyle Trask
Dec 30, 2020; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Kyle Trask (11) throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter at ATT Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of trading down, there’s two other quarterbacks getting late first-round buzz leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft. That list includes Kellen Mond from Texas A&M and Florida’s Kyle Trask. Denver could be in a good position at nine if five quarterbacks are off the board before it picks. That would mean other teams in need of wide receiver help or upgrades on defense might come calling.

This scenario includes Denver moving down multiple times to the bottom of Round 1, picking up a ton of draft pick assets in the process. It rolls with Lock next season and finds a potential heir-apparent should the former second-round pick see his struggles continue into Year 3.

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