When the Browns chose Denzel Ward at No. 4 instead of Bradley Chubb, that nixed a Broncos-Bills trade. And Mike Klis of 9News reports Buffalo was set to give up both its No. 12 and No. 22 picks, in addition to a second-round selection, for the right to move up to No. 5.
Instead, the Broncos passed and chose Chubb, whom Klis notes the team had tied with Saquon Barkley as being the top player in the draft. But the Bills were also willing to part with one of their second-rounders — either No. 53 or No. 56 — in a deal that was going to involve Denver sending Buffalo one of its third-round choices (either No. 71 or No. 99).
So, the Broncos valued the N.C. State-honed pass rusher immensely, passing on additional first- and second-round picks in order to stay put.
The Bills’ package sent to the Buccaneers, for the right to draft Josh Allen at No. 7, included both second-rounders and a seventh-round selection. The offer to the Broncos containing the No. 22 choice — which Buffalo used to trade up and select Tremaine Edmunds — runs counter to a report from earlier on Thursday indicating Brandon Beane wasn’t willing to part with both of his first-round picks. But that report surfaced before the draft began; the events of the opening hour Thursday night could have changed things.
The Colts also called the Broncos about moving up to select Chubb, Klis reports, but John Elway elected to stay put and attempt to load up his team’s edge-rushing contingent. As for what was going to transpire if the Browns took Chubb and the Bills suddenly pulled their offer, the Broncos were likely to select either Quenton Nelson or Roquan Smith, per Klis.
Sam Darnold remained the quarterback Elway preferred, with Klis reporting the Broncos had cooled on Baker Mayfield to the point they wouldn’t have taken him at No. 5. While that didn’t end up mattering, it could be notable if Allen or Josh Rosen end up being long-term answers for their respective teams. The Broncos dropped out of the Kirk Cousins derby and signed Case Keenum to a two-year deal, making it less likely they were going to use their top offseason resource on another quarterback, and were not closely linked to either Allen or Rosen late in the pre-draft process.
I’d be curious if the Broncos offered the Giants to trade up to take Darnold. Giants said they weren’t listening to offers but why would be crazy not to. As for Buffalo, I don’t think the Giants wanted to drop to 12 and miss out on the big 3 non QBs.
Chubb could only be 75% as good as advertised, and hell make at least 1 pro bowl opposite Von Miller.
The Broncos did the right thing by picking the best player available. You can question them as much as you’d like for NOT trading down, but if you want to come after them for picking the best player possible before coming at other teams for their weak drafts, you’re out of your mind.
They got Case Keenum and obviously believe in either Paxton Lynch or Chad Kelly to have not picked a qb in the first round. Either way, they thoroughly improved their team by not reaching for supposed needs
Well another idea maybe that there is a quarterback in next year’s class that they like. Especially if the underclassmen come out for the draft. Shea Patterson, Jake Bentley, Jacob Eason, Nick Fitzgerald, Drew Lock. That’s some big names. Personally I rather have Bentley.
Good to know!
And yeah, why not give the current QBs a chance? It’s not a bad crew. Just an unproven crew for long-term success.
Does anyone else get confused as hell with draft day trades? All the moving pics and whatnots.
Sometimes yeah.
The draft was much more fun when the AFL and NFL were at war in the late 60s. Some of the stories about what lengths a team would go to to sign a guy were pretty hilarious.
It’s pretty wild. I just never understand why the teams with early picks don’t trade down. Browns, Giants, Jets, many of these teams have many problems so might as well trade down and draft as many first rounders as possible. While the other teams can “go for it” by trading up for a high pick because their team is more so 1-2 key players away from greatness.