2021 NFL Mock Draft: Final prediction has Patriots trade for Justin Fields

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass during the first quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Zaven Collins, 2021 NFL mock draft. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Final 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos look savvy with trade to No. 19

19. Denver Broncos (via WFT): Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

One of the more popular picks for the Broncos if they do stay at the No. 9 pick and don’t take a quarterback there is Micah Parsons. Denver has gotten solid play from the likes of Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell but there’s no escaping the fact that both of those players are ultimately limited with what they bring to the positin.

That’s the beauty of trading down for the Broncos, though. They answered the quarterback question by bringing Teddy Bridgewater into the fold as he should elevate the offense enough from what Drew Lock offered to allow the defense to shine. Now they get extra picks moving forward and can still fill the linebacker need with Zaven Collins.

Don’t get it confused as some people have; Collins is not an edge rusher. Because he has a 265-pound frame, he often gets pigeonholed there but he was a do-it-all player for Tulsa who projects best as a traditional middle linebacker.

Collins’ ability to crash with nice explosiveness, cover space sideline-to-sideline and cover well in zone at his size makes him a fantastic piece that Denver would love to have in the mix.

Who I Would Pick: Zaven Collins

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