]Texas defensive back Caden Sterns (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
HEIGHT: 5'11⅞"
WEIGHT: 202
POSITIVES
—High-motor athlete who flies around the field.
—Has backpedal and footwork to play deep.
—Shows a good burst as a blitzer.
—Takes correct angles and delivers a blow on contact. Throws body around.
—Tracks the ball very well in the air. Uses hands to high point.
NEGATIVES
—Struggles with route recognition. Slow to react.
—Lacks the footwork and quickness needed to cover slot man-on-man.
Sterns is an interesting prospect who has a very good size and build with a thicker lower half. He opted out of the rest of the 2020 season after the loss to Iowa State that eliminated them from the Big 12 championship. A three-year starter, his on-ball production declined a bit from his freshman season in 2018. Ultimately Sterns is an athletic safety with very good range when playing deep.
He has shown the ball skills and hands to catch most balls thrown his way. Sterns is less efficient when asked to play man, when he routinely stops his feet at the top of the route and struggles to open and run. When playing forward, he does a good just supporting the run and filling running lanes. He throws his body around and delivers a blow on contact, although there are times where he comes in out of control and misses the tackle. With his size and skill, Sterns can find a role for a team.
GRADE: 7.0/10 (Future Role Player/Spot Starter - Round 4)
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning forces a fumble by Alabama quarterback Mac Jones during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
HEIGHT: 6'2 3/4"
WEIGHT: 245
POSITIVES
—Quick trigger as an ally player outside of the tackles.
—Has a knack for forcing fumbles.
—Is comfortable enough to line up against split-out tight ends.
—Strong to take on blocks in the slot.
—Played multiple roles. Against Clemson, he lined up as an outside linebacker, a "Mike" linebacker and a drop-down linebacker in the same game.
—A talented, physical athlete, dating back to his days as a 5-star recruit.
NEGATIVES
—Typically ends plays where offensive linemen are able to get hands on him in a stalemate.
—Might have to be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL to avoid interior matchups.
—More confident running through space than through trash.
—Questions about his full-time role in the league, as Ohio State pulled him for stretches.
2020 STATISTICS
29 TKL, 3 TFL, 1 SK, 2 PBU, 2 FR, 2 FF
NOTES
—Was a two-time all-state linebacker in Texas as a prep.
—Comes from an athletic family, with his older brother playing at Stanford and his father playing at both Oklahoma State and TCU.
—247Sports ranked him as the top outside linebacker in the 2017 high school class, largely due to his athleticism.
OVERALL
Baron Browning is an athletic linebacker, especially for his size. He has the potential to play as a "Mike" linebacker if he starts seeing the field better, but he may have to play as a "Sam" or even as a 3-4 outside linebacker, all roles he played sporadically for Ohio State.
Browning was often off the field in three-linebacker sets for the Buckeyes, with Tuf Borland and Justin Hilliard on the field in place of him, but his upside would be the justification for him going in the draft ahead of that pair. Still, one has to question why the former 5-star recruit was unable to put it all together at the college level and if he will get there as a pro.
Quinn Meinerz NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for Denver Broncos OL
May 1, 2021
National Team offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes of Nebraska (67)and offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz of Wisconsin–Whitewater (DIII) (71) practice during the National team the NCAA college Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
HEIGHT: 6'2 7/8"
WEIGHT: 320
POSITIVES
—Broad frame with a powerful, well-rounded build and rugged playing style.
—Very good quickness out of his stance, burst and athletic ability on the move.
—Can drop his hips, root his feet and generate considerable force through the ground to anchor quickly.
—Extremely heavy hands with jarring power through his hips and core to generate easy movement at the point of attack.
—Diagnosed line games, stunts and blitzes quickly with active eyes and alertness in pass protection.
—Shows excellent competitive toughness to finish with authority on a snap-to-snap basis.
—Went to the Senior Bowl in the best shape of his life and dominated the competition.
NEGATIVES
—Steadily gained weight throughout the 2019 season and got up to around 335 pounds, resulting in a noticeable drop-off in balance and technique.
—Rarely tested in pass protection and will need to learn to refine his pass sets against a multitude of alignments and dramatic uptick in competition, especially at guard.
—Needs to shore up his initial footwork out of his stance and aiming points in the run game to generate consistent movement at the NFL level rather than relying on pure upper body strength as often as he did in college.
—Can reel in his aggressiveness and sharpen his angles when leading in space to more accurately line up smaller targets.
2020 STATISTICS
—Season was cancelled.
NOTES
—29 career starts, all at left guard.
—Invited and participated in the 2021 Senior Bowl.
—Revamped body composition from end of the 2019 season until the spring of 2021 in Mobile, going from 335 pounds to 305 for winter workouts with the team, back up to 320 for the Senior Bowl.
—Traveled to Canada in the summer to work on his uncle's fishing resort where he would often drop down to the 280 pound range, forcing him to cram weight back on in time for fall camp each season.
—Participated in track and field and wrestling in high school.
OVERALL
Meinerz has started 29 games at left guard in Peter Jennings' power/inside zone-based scheme that is centered around controlling the "A" gaps and throwing deep off of play-action. He has a broad frame and rugged playing style with an outstanding power base throughout his core and upper body that resulted in him steamrolling competition during most of the 2019 season.
Meinerz pairs starter-level play strength to generate easy movement and build his house to anchor with very good athletic ability to track down and punish smaller targets on the move. Meinerz was able to dominate competition without refined footwork and steadily gained weight throughout his last season until he was pushing 335 pounds in the playoffs, which sapped his balance and resulted in some uncharacteristically sloppy play.
After tweaking his technique and revamping his body in 2020, he showed up to the Senior Bowl in peak form and dominated. Meinerz has the play strength, competitive toughness, athletic ability and processing skills to start at center or guard early in his career with the tools to become an impact starter within his first contract.
Javonte Williams Drafted by Broncos: Denver's Updated Depth Chart After Round 2
Apr 30, 2021
North Carolina's Javonte Williams (25) runs the ball against North Carolina State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
The Broncosselected the North Carolina star with the 35thoverall pick in the NFL draft Friday after trading with the Atlanta Falcons to move up five spots:
Williams' presence adds another player to the backfield for Denver. Here's what the organization's depth chart looks like with the 21-year-old on the roster.
Broncos' Offensive Depth Chart
QB: Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater, Brett Rypien, Jeff Driskel
Williams declared for the NFL draft coming off a breakout 2020 season with the Tar Heels. He was named a second-team All-American and ACC Player of the Year by Pro Football Focus after running for 1,140 yards and 19 touchdowns on 157 carries.
Here's what Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus wrote about Williams when he was named conference player of the year:
"The Tar Heel's 95.9 rushing grade wasn't just the highest of the entire 2020 season, it was the best we have ever recorded at the position since PFF College began seven years ago.
"Williams made defenses look silly week after week in 2020. He has broken 0.48 tackles per attempt this season with his top-notch balance and agility. That is also a PFF College record. Not to mention, nearly 27% of his carries this season have resulted in a 10-plus yard gain, the highest rate among running backs this season."
North Carolina had one of the nation's best running-back tandems last season. Williams split carries with Michael Carter, who was named to the All-ACC first team after racking up 1,245 yards on 156 attempts.
Williams decided to capitalize on his breakout year by foregoing his senior year and declaring for the draft.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network offered this scouting report for Williams coming into the NFL:
"Williams is a bruising ball carrier who doles out a lot of punishment, running with an aggressive style and consistently finding ways to pick up yardage. He's best running downhill, but I fully expect Williams will break in with the first team at the next level if put in the proper system."
One thing that likely helped Williams' draft stock from his 2020 season was his increased usage in the passing game. He caught a career-high 25 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns.
Williams told reporters in March that he's tried to model his game "like a mixture of Alvin Kamara and Nick Chubb."
Those are two of the best all-around running backs in the league, which is what the Broncoshope Williams can turn into.
Williams figures to form a one-two backfield punch with Melvin Gordon and could perhaps see the lion's share of the carries before the season ends. He takes the place of running back Phillip Lindsay, who left in free agency for the Houston Texans in March.
Denver has plenty of talent at the skill positions with wideout Courtland Sutton returning from injury and a loaded pass-catching crew (e.g. tight end Noah Fant, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick) coming back. If Drew Lock makes a leap in his third season, the Broncos could have an explosive offense in 2021.
Javonte Williams NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for Denver Broncos RB
Apr 30, 2021
North Carolina running back Javonte Williams (25) finds some running room during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
HEIGHT: 5'9 ⅝"
WEIGHT: 212
POSITIVES
— Stocky, bowling-ball-type build.
— Able to run through arm tackles and shows very good contact balance and running strength. Generates tons of yards after first contact and requires a full-on tackle to bring him down. Consistently runs behind his pads with a good lean. Is a hard tackle for defenders aiming low.
— Power back but shows flashes of finesse. Has good footwork that allows him to make a man miss in space.
— Does a good job of staying square to the hole on the runs. Combined with his footwork, he’s able to be patient and let the blocks develop, especially on gap scheme plays like counters and power.
— Above-average vision at both first and second levels. Does a nice job of reading LB flow on plays. Able to gain the intermediate yards consistently. Maximizes what is blocked for him.
— Good acceleration once he finds the hole he likes. Does a good job of immediately getting north and not dancing for too long.
— Not asked to pass protect a lot but has good size for it.
— Despite physical running style, there is not a ton of wear on his tires with just 416 touches over three years.
NEGATIVES
— Played in an RPO-heavy offense where pass protection had simpler assignments for the RB in their dropback game.
— Just OK long speed. Will get from first to fourth gear quickly but is then stuck there.
— Limited exposure in the pass game.
— Plays bigger but size doesn’t truly match his play style.
Javonte Williams has a solid overall combination of traits at the running back position. He has good size and physicality, and he’s not just a bruiser, showing footwork, vision and patience to get the most out of his blockers. Williams is not an overwhelming athlete and has average long speed. He also has limited exposure to protection and the passing game due to a simplistic run-pass-option-heavy offense that he played in at North Carolina.
Overall, Williams is a tough running back who brings the wood every time he touches the ball and has enough athleticism to be effective on outside runs, too. He will need to keep refining skills like anticipation and passing-down responsibilities, and his hard-running style will quickly add up. But for an offense that needs a running back to come in Day 1 and eat some touches, he can set the tone with his play strength and toughness, with some surprisingly nimble footwork thrown in there.
Broncos GM Says DEN Tried to Hide Patrick Surtain II Interest Before NFL Draft
Apr 30, 2021
Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II, right, holds a team jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was chosen by the Denver Broncos with the ninth pick in the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton took predraft secrecy to the next level before selecting Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II with the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Paton revealed Friday to reporters that he did not have any communication with Surtain prior to Thursday's first round:
"I knew the family, I knew [his] dad, I knew where he came from. We tried to hide our interest a little bit. I never spoke with Patrick; I never Zoomed with him. I told our coaches, 'Don't call him.' I told our scouts, 'Don't call, don't Zoom.' I didn't go to the Alabama pro day. This is a kid we targeted; this is a kid we wanted. We are very fortunate he was there."
Surtain was the second cornerback taken in the first round, behind South Carolina's Jaycee Horn (No. 8, Carolina Panthers).
The 2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year said he was "excited and emotional" to be drafted by the Broncos. His agent told him he could go off the board "anytime" after the Detroit Lions made their pick of Penei Sewell at No. 7.
Paton is running his first draft as the Broncos' general manager after spending the previous 14 seasons in the Minnesota Vikings organization. He was the Vikings' assistant general manager from 2012 to 2020.
If his first draft in Denver is any indication, Paton believes in secrecy above all else when it comes to making picks. That's something to remember moving forward for those mocking players to Denver because the Broncos were connected to several quarterbacks ahead of the draft but selected Surtain despite Justin Fields and Mac Jones still being on the board.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers gestures to fans after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Rams 32-18 to advance to the NFC championship game. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton lauded the team's quarterbacks, Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater, after rumors linked the franchise to a potential trade for Green Bay Packers superstar Aaron Rodgers.
"Drew's been working hard every day," Paton told reporters Thursday after the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. "Teddy's going to bring some experience to the room, some leadership. So we're really excited for both quarterbacks. We're always looking at every position and quarterback's another one, but we like the two we have."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Rodgers had "told some within the organization that he does not want to return" to the Packers, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted the reigning NFL MVP had the Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers on his "wish list."
The rumors became pretty intense leading up to the start of the draft, with former Broncos guard and current 104.3 The Fan radio hostMark Schlerethreporting Rodgers to Denver was "close to a done deal," but the speculation faded throughout the night.
First, the Broncos used the ninth overall pick, which would have likely been one of the centerpieces to a Rodgers trade, to select Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Then Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst downplayed the potential of a blockbuster deal.
"We're not going to trade Aaron Rodgers," Gutekunsttold reporters. "He's our quarterback. He's our leader. We've been working through for a little while now. It may take some time. He's the guy that makes this thing go. He gives us the best chance to win. We're going to work towards that end."
He added: "I do think he'll play for us again. We're going to work towards that, and we've been working towards that on a number of different fronts."
While Paton was quick to affirm his belief in the Broncos' current quarterback depth chart, the reality is quite simple: If a trade for Rodgers is plausible, the presence of Lock and Bridgewater isn't going to stop the front office from trying to pull off the deal.
Denver has a lot of emerging talent on offense, including wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler along with tight end Noah Fant, and bringing in one of the league's best quarterbacks could transform the unit into one of the NFL's most high-scoring groups.
It sounds like the Packers are going to spend the remainder of the offseason trying to mend their relationship with Rodgers. If those efforts fall through, however, expect Denver near the front of the line should the future Hall of Famer become available during training camp.
Should a Rodgers deal never come to fruition, the Broncos can let Lock and Bridgewater compete for the starting job in 2021 before evaluating the future of the position once again next year.
Patrick Surtain II Drafted by Broncos: DEN's Updated Depth Chart After Round 1
Apr 30, 2021
Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) looks on against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Two of the best cornerbacks in the nation, Shaun Wade of Ohio State and Patrick Surtain of Alabama, will have their hands full on Monday night in South Florida. They are possibly the No. 1 and No. 2 NFL prospects at the position — which one is best is a matter of debate that the national championship game could help settle. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The Denver Broncos jumped at the chance to add the SEC's best defensive player and selected Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II with the No. 9 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday.
Surtain was a consensus All-American and won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year during the 2020 campaign while helping lead the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
The 21-year-old finished the season with 37 tackles, nine passes defended and an interception that he returned for a touchdown during a victory over Mississippi State.
Those individual stats surely would have been better, but opposing quarterbacks rarely even dared to throw toward his side of the field throughout the season. Even guarding No. 1 options, Surtain rarely let pass-catchers find comfortable openings for quarterbacks to exploit.
Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department ranked Surtain as the best and most versatile cornerback in the draft. That versatility should help him immediately adjust to the NFL level with an ability to line up in man coverage, occupy the correct space in zones and perhaps even play some safety if needed.
He has enough size to play with physicality and press at the line of scrimmage against bigger wide receivers but is also fast enough to stay with speedsters downfield and break on routes.
While he may not be the best tackler in this draft, Surtain fits every other box as a potential No. 1 cornerback as soon as his rookie season.
If he can live up to that potential, this will be one of the most important picks of the entire 2021 NFL draft for a team that could use the help in the secondary.
Denver was a middling 16th in the league in passing yards allowed per game in 2020 and has to deal with the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in the AFC West every season. It needs elite-level cornerbacks to have a chance to compete in the division.
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
As the Denver Broncos explore potential quarterback options in the 2021 NFL draft, Drew Lock's time with the organization could come to an end.
Per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the Broncos could put Lock on the trade block as soon as Friday if they draft Justin Fields or Trey Lance in the first round.
Bridgewater is a stable veteran presence who is capable of starting for a team that needs a steady hand at quarterback. He was effective in Carolina last season with a 69.1 completion percentage, 3,733 yards and 15 touchdowns in 15 starts.
ESPN'sTodd McShayhas the Broncos selecting Fields with the ninth overall pick in his final mock draft. He could potentially start right away or sit behind Bridgewater to start the season if Denver lands the Ohio State star.
Lock seemed unlikely to be guaranteed the Broncos starting job next season coming off a poor 2020. The 24-year-old ranked last among all qualified quarterbacks with a 57.3 completion percentage and tied Carson Wentz for most interceptions in the NFL (15).
Regardless of who ends up as Denver's starter in 2021, that player is walking into a strong situation. The Broncos already have Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant and Melvin Gordon III as key skill-position players on their roster.
Denver has just one winning season and zero playoff appearances in five years since winning Super Bowl 50.
Helmet of Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons during a news conference to announce a four-year deal for $61 million to keep Simmons on the team Monday, March 22, 2021, at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
After acquiring Teddy Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, the Denver Broncos have given themselves multiple options from which to choose with the No. 9 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
But they might not be the ones making that pick.
Per ESPN's Ed Werder, the Broncos have received "significant interest" from other teams for their first-round selection on Thursday.
It seemed unlikely that the Broncos would go the entire offseason without bringing in some competition for Drew Lock as the starting quarterback in 2021.
Per ESPN'sAdam Schefter, the Bridgewater trade doesn't take Denver out of the market for one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.
Given how many teams picking in the top half of the draft are looking for quarterbacks, the Broncos could potentially net a significant return in a trade if they move down from their current spot.
General manager George Paton toldRyan O'Halloranof the Denver Post last week that he's heard from multiple teams about the ninth pick.
"I've already heard from teams that want to move up. ... I've heard from one team that wants to move back (from the top eight)," Paton said.
Neither Lock nor Bridgewater has done anything in their respective careers to suggest that the Broncos are set at quarterback long-term. Bridgewater has been a steady hand throughout his career who can keep an offense afloat, but teams need a strong roster around him to be a playoff contender.
Denver does have a talented defense, led by Von Miller and Justin Simmons, and an offensive nucleus featuring Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Melvin Gordon III.
![]Texas defensive back Caden Sterns (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)](https://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/910/585/hi-res-38a70a1e15e9db03464913e6d2a308c9_crop_north.jpg?1618936571&w=630&h=420)
