Trade acquisition Zach Wilson gives the Broncos another option at quarterback, but his wildly disappointing Jets tenure would stand to make it difficult to believe the AFC West team will head into OTAs with just he and Jarrett Stidham at quarterback.
While Denver has been tied to eyeing a move up the board, increased rumblings about the team trading down have surfaced. The Broncos have made calls about moving down the board, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, and teams are viewing the Sean Payton–George Paton operation as unlikely to stay at No. 12.
[RELATED: Broncos Open To Moving Future First-Round Picks For QB]
Broncos discussions about moving down have indeed occurred, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, though multiple teams in the top 10 have also heard from them about moving up. The Patriots and Cardinals have received offers about their top-four picks, and while it is unknown which teams have submitted those proposals, it is not farfetched to guess the Broncos are among the interested parties.
A move down the board — a rumored scenario earlier this month — would add to Denver’s arsenal, which current lacks a second-round pick due to last year’s swap with the Saints for Payton’s rights. It is also possible the Broncos could end up with a potential starting QB if they traded down. Bo Nix-to-Denver connections are still circulating on draft week, Jones adds. Our Ely Allen wrapped up his Prospect Profile series with Nix, a QB with gaudy stats (while at Oregon, that is) but questions about his long-term outlook. Some teams view the former Auburn recruit as a Day 2 pick, and he has commonly checked in as this draft’s sixth-best QB prospect. But the Broncos have been the team coming up most frequently in connection with Nix. A February report tied Denver to both he and J.J. McCarthy, and connections have persisted.
It would be a daring move from the Broncos to pass on this year’s QB crop and pit Stidham against Wilson for the starting job. This setup would certainly generate skepticism about their contention hopes, but with the larger chunk of Russell Wilson‘s dead money on Denver’s cap sheet this year ($50MM-plus), it is not inconceivable a reset season is coming. That said, it would be a bit surprising to see a 60-year-old Payton sign off on this — perhaps with a plan to target a 2025 QB draftee — for a full season. This type of plan backfired in his 2021 Saints finale.
On that note, the player the Broncos have been trying for eight years to replace shed some light about his former team’s interests. Peyton Manning confirmed during a 104.3 The Fan appearance the Broncos are “very interested” in McCarthy.
This follows a report suggesting Payton is open to mortgaging the team’s future to land his desired QB this year. While Drake Maye could now have a lead on McCarthy with the Vikings and Giants, the Broncos are believed to like the Michigan product. If Maye goes to the Patriots at No. 3, we will find out which teams truly like McCarthy. Minnesota and New York standing down would clear a path for Denver, which could then target Arizona’s No. 4 pick.
It would take plenty of capital to go from No. 12 to No. 4. The Broncos picked up Patrick Surtain‘s fifth-year option Tuesday and are rumored to be preparing extension talks after the draft, but the All-Pro cornerback’s name has come up as a chip to help the Broncos move up for a quarterback. The Broncos trading their top player would be a risky move, but the team has certainly been without an upper-crust answer at the game’s marquee position for a while. How the Broncos go about filling this need — if they end up doing so — will be one of the draft’s top storylines.
Ravens at 30 on the outside looking in for their tackle move up to 12. Nix and/or Penix projected early 2nd rounders should still be available at 30. They also swap later round picks. Maybe Ravens give up their 1st 4th rounder for Broncos 3rd 5th rounder? Or something along those lines?
That Rams move is interesting. It would be quite a jump, but the one team that hasn’t been shy about spending assets is the Rams. The question for me would be how serious they are about picking a successor QB. The Garappolo signing makes that seem not likely, as carrying an early pick, Garappolo, and Stafford into a season seems excessive. So, it’s quite the jump to 12, but I would not be surprised to see L.A. move somewhere. Will they go that high? Ehh, we’ll see. They’ve alluded to changing their strategy at the outset of this year-whether they revert back at some point will remain to be seen.
As for Denver, my hope is that they would want to move back. They were light on picks as is, and then traded one for Wilson. Even though they didn’t give up much by moving down, more is always better in their situation.
I’d be surprised either QB still there at 30. Most teams are ok with over paying for a QB. Probably 5 QB’s go in top 20 if not 15.
Penix or Nix in top 15 is a super reach
Doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
The problem for the Broncos or a team like the Raiders is you’ll have to pay the Cardinals asking price you’ll have to get to the fourth pick to get a top QB