Thread: 2021 Broncos Draft Thread: 04/29/21-05/01/21

Okay, so the first round is done...it is what it is. We can all argue about it, but the reality is that none of us have any idea if Fields is going to be good or not. Many of us wanted him, but Paton didn't. He could be a bust, he could be good...it's 50/50 just like it is every year with every quarterback. Surtain has a high floor--unlikely to be a bust, and could be great.

So round one in the books. I'm more interested in talking about rounds 2-3. Preference for me in the 2nd is JOK or Nick Bolton. Both dudes are absolute game wreckers. I'm a huge Notre Dame fan, so I have some bias, but I'm a little worried about JOK's size on the inside. He was in the perfect scheme in ND for his size and skillset. Bolton is an absolute beast, and he defines the Middle Linebacker position. Get o-line or d-line help in round 3, but we need a stud in the inside

Originally Posted by CoachChaz

Could the improvement that Buffalo has seen have anything to do with allowing Josh Allen time to develop, while adding better pieces around him? Maybe coaching him up longer than 18 games...getting him a receiver like Diggs...crazy things like that?

Josh Allen through his first 18 games was 10-8 with 17 TD's and 19 INT's...Drew Lock is 8-10 with 23 TD's and 18 INT's. How is it that Buffalo and their fans could be so patient with first round talent and Broncos fans can't come close to that patience with 2nd round talent?

The expectations that we have put on Lock just baffle me...especially considering the chaos and turmoil over the past 18 months. So why in hell should I or anyone else believe that we'd have any kind of patience with Fields if he put up the same numbers as Allen or Lock after 18 games? And if we did, why would he get that much patience, but Lock doesn't.

Amen. I just don't get it at all.

Originally Posted by CoachChaz

Could the improvement that Buffalo has seen have anything to do with allowing Josh Allen time to develop, while adding better pieces around him? Maybe coaching him up longer than 18 games...getting him a receiver like Diggs...crazy things like that?

Josh Allen through his first 18 games was 10-8 with 17 TD's and 19 INT's...Drew Lock is 8-10 with 23 TD's and 18 INT's. How is it that Buffalo and their fans could be so patient with first round talent and Broncos fans can't come close to that patience with 2nd round talent?

The expectations that we have put on Lock just baffle me...especially considering the chaos and turmoil over the past 18 months. So why in hell should I or anyone else believe that we'd have any kind of patience with Fields if he put up the same numbers as Allen or Lock after 18 games? And if we did, why would he get that much patience, but Lock doesn't.

Allen has also been the most productive running QB in football other than Lamar over that time. He was producing in other ways while the passing developed. Lock doesn't have that, so we have to pray the passing actually develops.

I love Pat Surtain II (herby I dub thee PS2) but if we're making that decision to go with the all world Defense route of team building in order to combat the generational talent we face at QB twice a season then we need to go all in on it and this pick in round 2 needs to be someone who can cover a TE. Give me a badass cover LB (cox) or a Safety who can come down and cover that light in the loafers jackass from KC.

Originally Posted by CoachChaz

Could the improvement that Buffalo has seen have anything to do with allowing Josh Allen time to develop, while adding better pieces around him? Maybe coaching him up longer than 18 games...getting him a receiver like Diggs...crazy things like that?

Josh Allen through his first 18 games was 10-8 with 17 TD's and 19 INT's...Drew Lock is 8-10 with 23 TD's and 18 INT's. How is it that Buffalo and their fans could be so patient with first round talent and Broncos fans can't come close to that patience with 2nd round talent?

The expectations that we have put on Lock just baffle me...especially considering the chaos and turmoil over the past 18 months. So why in hell should I or anyone else believe that we'd have any kind of patience with Fields if he put up the same numbers as Allen or Lock after 18 games? And if we did, why would he get that much patience, but Lock doesn't.

This is a compelling argument, honestly. And conventional wisdom has always said that a QB needs three years in a system to reach their full potential... All fair points.

The counter argument would be that Lock's deficiencies were more alarming than anticipated. His good games were against bad defenses -- he doesn't anticipate pressure, doesn't throw guys open as often as you'd like. He just gambles a lot - even when he's successful he's relying on arm strength and athleticism more than mechanics and reads. Had had a couple too many awful games where the camera pans to him standing alone on the sideline while the whole bench sits lifeless.

I hope he can work through it in year three. The good thing is his problems are more mental than physical - which makes them correctable, but it's hard to have much faith based on his play last year.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

Allen has also been the most productive running QB in football other than Lamar over that time. He was producing in other ways while the passing developed. Lock doesn't have that, so we have to pray the passing actually develops.

Seriously??? You want to convince me that QB rushing stats play a huge role in how patient a coaching staff and fan base is with him? Despite ugly passing numbers?

If Justin Fields plays 2 years, throws 20 TD's and 35 INT's...but averages 700 yards rushing...the Denver fan base is going to be excited about year 3? Not a ******* chance

Originally Posted by kenoy28

Okay, so the first round is done...it is what it is. We can all argue about it, but the reality is that none of us have any idea if Fields is going to be good or not. Many of us wanted him, but Paton didn't. He could be a bust, he could be good...it's 50/50 just like it is every year with every quarterback. Surtain has a high floor--unlikely to be a bust, and could be great.

So round one in the books. I'm more interested in talking about rounds 2-3. Preference for me in the 2nd is JOK or Nick Bolton. Both dudes are absolute game wreckers. I'm a huge Notre Dame fan, so I have some bias, but I'm a little worried about JOK's size on the inside. He was in the perfect scheme in ND for his size and skillset. Bolton is an absolute beast, and he defines the Middle Linebacker position. Get o-line or d-line help in round 3, but we need a stud in the inside

I'm not done bitching about the 1st round! We've been waiting for months - don't try to rush me through this process.

Originally Posted by Buff

This is a compelling argument, honestly. And conventional wisdom has always said that a QB needs three years in a system to reach their full potential... All fair points.

The counter argument would be that Lock's deficiencies were more alarming than anticipated. His good games were against bad defenses -- he doesn't anticipate pressure, doesn't throw guys open as often as you'd like. He just gambles a lot - even when he's successful he's relying on arm strength and athleticism more than mechanics and reads. Had had a couple too many awful games where the camera pans to him standing alone on the sideline while the whole bench sits lifeless.

I hope he can work through it in year three. The good thing is his problems are more mental than physical - which makes them correctable, but it's hard to have much faith based on his play last year.

First half + of the year...I agree. But the back half of the year was MUCH better. Once he came back from the "COVID week" he was MUCH better in all those areas.

I fully expect this year to be reliably mediocre, flip-flopping between Lock and Teddy, and finishing with a sub-500 record again. Fangio will lose his job, and we start with a new QB picked by the new HC, which is arguably better than wasting a pick on a QB in the first round who the next regime won't want. Having a good defense and a lot of weapons will make us an attractive place for a HC.

Originally Posted by CoachChaz

Could the improvement that Buffalo has seen have anything to do with allowing Josh Allen time to develop, while adding better pieces around him? Maybe coaching him up longer than 18 games...getting him a receiver like Diggs...crazy things like that?

Josh Allen through his first 18 games was 10-8 with 17 TD's and 19 INT's...Drew Lock is 8-10 with 23 TD's and 18 INT's. How is it that Buffalo and their fans could be so patient with first round talent and Broncos fans can't come close to that patience with 2nd round talent?

The expectations that we have put on Lock just baffle me...especially considering the chaos and turmoil over the past 18 months. So why in hell should I or anyone else believe that we'd have any kind of patience with Fields if he put up the same numbers as Allen or Lock after 18 games? And if we did, why would he get that much patience, but Lock doesn't.

Allen played like trash the first couple of years so they could have easily given up on him. They chose not to and now look where they are. The problem with Bronco fandom is if we put Justin in Drew's position right now they would still be clamoring for a new QB. No patience whatsoever.

Originally Posted by kenoy28

Okay, so the first round is done...it is what it is. We can all argue about it, but the reality is that none of us have any idea if Fields is going to be good or not. Many of us wanted him, but Paton didn't. He could be a bust, he could be good...it's 50/50 just like it is every year with every quarterback. Surtain has a high floor--unlikely to be a bust, and could be great.

So round one in the books. I'm more interested in talking about rounds 2-3. Preference for me in the 2nd is JOK or Nick Bolton. Both dudes are absolute game wreckers. I'm a huge Notre Dame fan, so I have some bias, but I'm a little worried about JOK's size on the inside. He was in the perfect scheme in ND for his size and skillset. Bolton is an absolute beast, and he defines the Middle Linebacker position. Get o-line or d-line help in round 3, but we need a stud in the inside

JOK belongs in a 4-3 and I'm not a fan of "traditional" ILB's that lack coverage skills. Not in today's game. Jabril Cox for the win.

Originally Posted by aberdien

I fully expect this year to be reliably mediocre, flip-flopping between Lock and Teddy, and finishing with a sub-500 record again. Fangio will lose his job, and we start with a new QB picked by the new HC, which is arguably better than wasting a pick on a QB in the first round who the next regime won't want. Having a good defense and a lot of weapons will make us an attractive place for a HC.

Highly possible

Originally Posted by CoachChaz

First half + of the year...I agree. But the back half of the year was MUCH better. Once he came back from the "COVID week" he was MUCH better in all those areas.

I didn't see it. He lit up Carolina who had the worst secondary in the league, and lost the rest of the games en route to being the least accurate passer in the league.

Anyway, I really do appreciate people's optimism and I hope he's better... But there would have been a compelling argument for not giving him a 3rd year too.

Originally Posted by Buff

I didn't see it. He lit up Carolina who had the worst secondary in the league, and lost the rest of the games en route to being the least accurate passer in the league.

Anyway, I really do appreciate people's optimism and I hope he's better... But there would have been a compelling argument for not giving him a 3rd year too.

I'm talking about mechanics. Getting your back foot down and planted before throwing the quick out pattern...starting your drop back on the correct foot...things like that. He improved a ton in those areas. And when your team leads the world in dropped passes, I'll give you a bit of a pass on your accuracy numbers. I'm not saying he is going to be a great player...I'm just saying that I don't think we've seen his best yet. Whatever that may be.

And FWIW...he wasn't exactly horrible against Buffalo or the Raiders at the end of the season.

I do not see Teddy playing a down for us.

I think Drew has a good year for us (provided we do not acquire Rodgers, Watson, Wilson)

I also like the idea of building an amazing roster and then if needed, moving all the chips in for one final piece of the puzzle.