Broncos’ Draft Needs: How will George Paton address Denver's deepest, but most uncertain, defensive position in the draft?

When George Paton took over as the general manager of the Denver Broncos, he inherited a cornerback room that was in desperate need of a complete makeover.

In less than two months, Paton cut A.J. Bouye, signed starting cornerback Ronald Darby and locked in All-Pro Kyle Fuller.

Just like that, the overhaul was complete.

Well before his first draft as Broncos’ general manager, Paton transformed Denver’s cornerback room from one of the worst in the league to among its best, if not the best.

But that doesn’t mean Paton and the Broncos won’t continue to address the position in the draft. Here’s where Denver could look to select a corner in the upcoming draft.

Special thanks to Andre Simone for providing draft input.

Current players on the roster

Starters: Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby, Bryce Callahan

Depth: Michael Ojemudia, Essang Bassey, Duke Dawson Jr., Nate Hairston, Parnell Motley, Chris Cooper

Level of need entering the draft: No need for 2021, but a lot of uncertainty in 2022 and beyond

Strength of position in draft: Very strong, from top to bottom

Round(s) targeted: Wide open, but likely Day 2 or early Day 3

Top players in the draft: Patrick Surtain (Alabama), Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech), Jaycee Horn (South Carolina)

Before free agency began, Patrick Surtain, Caleb Farley and Jaycee Horn were the heavy favorites to be Denver’s first pick in the draft. After dishing out nearly $20 million for this upcoming season on Darby and Fuller, round-one cornerback is no longer the leader in the clubhouse. But it’s not off the ticket.

With Darby and Fuller set to lock down the outside with Callahan in the slot, Denver’s starting corners are set for 2021 on paper. But there are two reasons why it’s not out of the question Denver could use a premium pick on the position.

First and foremost, Callahan and Fuller will be free agents after this season. If neither are re-signed, that would leave the Broncos with only one starting corner on the roster a year from now. That alone is reason to invest a premium pick on the position.

Additionally, in Callahan and Darby’s 11 combined years in the NFL, the two have played a full season just once between the two of them. That, of course, was last year when Darby played all 16 games. Outside of that, however,  Callahan and Darby have a significant injury history. If Paton wants to make sure top-end talent is always available to Vic Fangio at cornerback, a premium pick at the position would fit the bill.

Saying all of that, however, Denver is not in need of a starting cornerback whatsoever entering the 2021 season thanks to their moves in free agency. Coming off a 5-11 season, the Broncos have plenty of other positions they need to address this upcoming year more than their elite cornerback room.

With a year to develop a rookie cornerback, the move that would make the most sense is Paton drafting a talented cornerback with high upside on Day 2 or early Day 3. But don’t completely rule out a first-round cornerback, especially if Denver trades back from No. 9.