Nine prospects to know for the Broncos' 9th overall pick

After another disappointing and painful season, for the third time in four years, the Broncos find themselves with a top-10 pick for the upcoming NFL Draft.

The team is currently in transition as George Paton will take over General Manager duties after John Elway took an elevated role within the organization. While the direction of the organization will become clearer over the coming weeks and months, here are nine prospects you should be familiar with come April 29th, 2021.

But first, it can be safely assumed these eight players will not be drafted by Denver pending a massive trade or unforeseen development within the organization.

Trevor Lawrence, Penei Sewell, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Kyle Pitts, Ja’Marr Chase, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle can all be assumed to be out of play for the Broncos whether it’s due to current players on the roster or the needs of teams picking ahead of Denver.

1. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

The FCS postponed their 2020 season until the spring of 2021 but Trey Lance declared shortly after the Bison beat Central Arkansas in their lone 2020 game on October 3rd. Lance is another prospect fitting the shape of the prototypical quarterback mold that includes Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch and more. Lance is 6-foot-4, 226 pounds, and a true dual-threat quarterback with a bazooka attached to his right shoulder. It can be argued that Lance has the best arm talent of any prospect in the draft but he can be inconsistent as a passer in terms of accuracy and ball placement. As a runner, Lance is unafraid to use his body and power through tacklers. While he is somewhat raw, Lance has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in this year’s class.

2. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Mac Jones impressed late last season filling in for injured Tua Tagovailoa down the stretch. He continued to elevate his stock in 2020 after throwing for 4,500 yards and a 10-to-1 TD/INT ratio with a 77.4 completion percentage. While it can be argued Jones’ production was heavily aided by an all-star supporting cast, Jones flashed multiple traits that showed signs of a future franchise quarterback. Jones was one of the most efficient and productive deep ball throwers in the country throughout the 2020 campaign. He also showed poise, comfort and confidence while maneuvering the pocket and avoiding pass rushers. Jones capped off his tremendous season by lighting up Ohio State in the National Championship for 36/45, 464 yards and five touchdowns. , Jones is by no means a mobile quarterback and there are concerns about his arm strength and how his game will translate to the NFL.

3. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

One of many top prospects on this list to opt-out of the 2020 season, Parsons’s 2019 season was more than impressive as he registered 109 combined tackles, 14 tackles for loss and five sacks. Parsons plays with relentless energy and has some versatility to his game as he lined up as a linebacker and EDGE for the Nittany Lions in 2019. In terms of size and athleticism, Parsons is one of the most impressive defensive prospects in this class. While he has natural traits, he is lacking refinement in multiple areas of his game. The NFL team selecting Parsons will need to completely buy into coaching and developing his game further in order for Parsons to reach his ceiling.

4. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB/S, Notre Dame

One of the most versatile players in this class, Owusu-Koramoah is a hybrid linebacker/safety/slot defender similar to Isaiah Simmons and Jeremy Chinn. While he is not as big as Simmons or Chinn, throughout his time at Notre Dame, JOK has proved he can be just as impactful as those other players were in their college careers. While his Notre Dame tape is impressive with constant flashes of versatility, JOK projects to be somewhat of a risk because of that versatility. The NFL has yet to fully embrace these defensive hybrids, so fit and the level of coaching he will receive will be critical to JOK’s immediate NFL success. Expect JOK to be one of the more polarizing prospects in the entire draft as we move forward through the process.

5. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

Despite another disappointing season for the Wolverines, Paye is the next in a long line of impressive EDGE prospects to come out of Ann Arbor. Paye was a four-year player at Michigan and showed improvement each season before becoming a starter in 2019. In the first game of the Wolverines 2020 season, Paye flashed dominance as he took over the second-half against Minnesota. Paye plays with a relentless motor and noticeable pop and strength in his hands to knock back and defeat blockers. He needs to further develop his plan as a pass rusher but Paye’s size and athleticism suggest he has a bright future as a professional football player. 

6. Greggory Rousseau, EDGE/DL, Miami

The term “freak” is a compliment that can be overused when referring to NFL Draft prospects but Rousseau is a genuine athletic freak. Turning only 21-years-old at the time of the 2021 NFL Draft, Rousseau was listed at 6-foot-7, 265 pounds on Miami’s 2019 roster. Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft in August. His strength and length were a nightmare for offenses to defend in 2019 as he racked up 15.5 sacks as a true sophomore. While he primarily played EDGE for the Hurricanes, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rousseau play all over the defensive line in the NFL as he fills out and continues to grow into his massive frame. Rousseau has one of the highest ceilings of any player in this class and could put himself out of reach for the Broncos with impressive showings throughout the pre-draft process.

7. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Son of the former All-Pro cornerback for the Dolphins and Chiefs, Surtain has been locking down entire sides of the field for the Crimson Tide since he arrived as a freshman in 2018. Coached by Nick Saban, along with his NFL bloodlines, Surtain is considered one of the safest and best prospects in this class. Surtain has faced some of the best pass-catchers to come out of college football over the last three years and has won far more reps than he has lost. He is highly reliable in zone coverage and a technician when it comes to man coverage. Surtain consistently finds himself in the right place at the right time and is always in control of his body. Although, there are some concerns about whether Surtain has the long speed to keep up with premier NFL deep threats. If he is able to achieve a 40-yard dash time below 4.50 seconds, Surtain will be a lock for the top 10.

8. Caleb Farley, CB, Alabama

Farley was another highly-touted prospect to opt-out of the 2020 season back in August. During his sophomore season at Virginia Tech in 2019, Farley earned First Team All-ACC honors and finished second in the conference in interceptions (4) and passes defensed (12). Farley showed impressive traits when he was on the field for the Hokies. His closing speed, length, quick feet and fluid hips allowed Farley to play smart, fast and instinctive. Farley’s use in a heavy zone scheme as well as his tackling skills could make him a favorite of Vic Fangio. The pre-draft process will be huge for Farley as he has to prove to the NFL that he wasn’t just a one-year wonder. 

9. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Horn is one half of South Carolina’s long and talented cornerback duo entering the 2021 draft. He also possesses NFL bloodlines, his father Joe Horn played wide receiver for three NFL teams over the course of 12 years. Horn started in the slot as a true freshman and earned freshman All-SEC honors in 2018. Horn had one of the most impressive outings for a cornerback all season with four passes defensed and two interceptions against Auburn in 2020. He has NFL size and length to play outside corner but his risky playstyle could become his downfall throughout the draft process. Following Will Muschamp’s firing, Horn decided to opt-out for the remainder of the 2020 season and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.

For more analysis on these nine players and more tune in weekly to the DNVR Draft podcast.