Regrading The Denver Broncos 2021 NFL Draft Class (5 Years Later)
The Denver Broncos are a team that has made some solid picks in the past few years. The 2021 draft has a few notable names in here. Since it’s been 5 years since the 2021 NFL Draft, let’s reflect on every selection the Broncos used.
Round 1, Pick 9 – CB Patrick Surtain Jr (Alabama) Grade A+
Do we have to go long with this one? Patrick Surtain is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL today and is a main piece to that Broncos defense since day 1. An easy A+ grade to one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the league today.
Round 2, Pick 35 – RB Javonte Williams (UNC) Grade B-
Javonte Williams is another example of why injuries suck in the NFL. He showed so much potential in his rookie year, rushing for 903 yards and 4 touchdowns. Then game that brutal knee injury he suffered in the 2022 NFL Season. He was okay for his last two years in Denver, but he never looked like he did in his rookie year.
That is, until he went to Dallas and had a career resurgence, rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. He even got a nice pay upgrade in a 3 year 24 Million Dollar contract. The pick was decent, but it’s hard not to wonder what if he had never had that brutal knee injury in 2021. Still a solid pick, B for the player, but – for the injury and him resurging in Dallas.
Round 3, Pick 98 – C/OG Quinn Meinerz (Wisconsin) Grade A
Another solid pick by the Denver Broncos as Meinerz has been an anchor on that offensive line. A very nice interior blocker for the Broncos and a 2 time 1st team all pro match. He was even in the Pro Bowl for 2025, as well as getting a very nice four-year, $80 million extension with the team. A solid A grade for the Broncos here.
Round 3 Pick 105 – LB Baron Browning (Ohio St) Grade C
If there is one word to describe Browning, it would be inconsistent. There are times when Browning is a solid piece to this defense, but other times when he’s a liability. It also didn’t help that Denver constantly moved his position multiple times. It felt like Denver had no idea how to properly utilize him. He had decent years, but not great years. He was traded to Arizona for a 6th-round pick, and it will be interesting to see how he does there.
What About The Day 3 Picks?
A majority of the picks Denver used on Day 3 did not pan out. Caden Sterns had a lot of potential in his first season, but injuries derailed him. Seth Williams, Jamar Johnson, Kary Vincent, and Marquiss Spencer all became journeyman in the NFL, barely hanging onto roster spots. Luckily, there was one Day 3 pick that was an absolute steal for the Denver Broncos
DE/EDGE Jonathan Cooper was chosen in the 7th round, 239th overall, and he has been a piece of the Broncos’ defense through the past few years. He has been a reliable pass rusher, and for the past 3 seasons, he has had consistent 8 or more sack seasons. Cooper got a four-year, $60 million extension a few years ago, and with how he is playing could get a pay upgrade if he keeps this up. What a steal for Denver this pick was.
Denver Broncos 2021 Draft Class Overall Grade – A-
The Patrick Surtain and Quinn Meinerz picks were really good. They even got a steal in drafting Jonathan Cooper in the 7th Round. The Javonte Williams pick was fine, but would have been great if he hadn’t gotten injured. However, there were a lot of Day 3 picks that they wasted here. I think an A- grade is fair for the Broncos 2021 NFL Draft.
