2021 NFL Team Draft Page

Once again, I've got the Broncos selecting Farley as the first defender off the board in this draft, after a streak of eight offensive players are taken ahead of him. However, after being so locked in on defensive prospects for Denver since last fall, I'm starting to soften on my stance.


Whispers about Denver cutting ties with Ja'Wuan James are starting to turn into full-on rumors, and it's easy to see why. With club options on Von Miller and Kareem Jackson, James could end up having the top cap hit on the roster this year. However, the right tackle has played all of 63 snaps in two years with the Broncos. There were questions about his willingness to play through an injury that the team did not view as severe in 2019, and that was a topic he felt needed to be addressed in his reasoning for opting out of the 2020 due to the pandemic. If the Broncos do end the relationship, guys like Rashawn Slater, and possibly even Penei Sewell could enter the conversation here.

~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

I'd be shocked if Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah falls this far, but if he does, Denver will be getting a gift. I'm not saying a slide isn't possible, considering his unique skill set leaves questions about his natural position in the NFL. We've seen that kind of thing affect the stock and early success of a variety of "defensive hybrids" coming out of college, such as Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jabrill Peppers, and Isaiah Simmons.

Executive Director of the Senior Bowl, Jim Nagy said it best about defensive coordinators needing to have a clear plan for JOK in their defense. I don't know if there are many I'd trust more to create a role for a special player like JOK than Vic Fangio.

~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst