While there’s been plenty of talk about teams potentially moving back in the first round, it sounds like one team is actually focused on moving up the draft board. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Broncos “have made inquiries about moving up” in the first round. Albert Breer of SI.com shares that sentiment, noting that Denver is one of the lone teams looking to move up.
[RELATED: Broncos To Make WR Addition]
The Broncos are currently armed with the No. 20 pick in the draft, and they own all of their picks through the first four rounds. The team doesn’t own a fifth- nor seventh-round pick, although GM George Paton and his staff do have three sixth-round selections at their disposal. Denver also has all of their 2026 picks except a sixth-round selection (sent to the Jets in the John Franklin-Myers trade).
After the Broncos made a surprising run at the playoffs behind rookie QB Bo Nix, the organization is obviously looking to take another significant step in 2025. There’s been plenty of speculation that the front office could look to add to Nix’s arsenal, with rumblings surrounding the addition of an early-round running back or receiver. On the flip side, there’s also been a rumor about the Broncos focusing their draft efforts on the defensive side of the ball — even after the Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga signings.
In other words, the Broncos’ trade opportunities will likely be dependent on individual players vs. any one overarching position. One thing seems pretty certain: the Broncos won’t be moving back. As our own Sam Robinson noted last week, Sean Payton has never traded down in Round 1 (and probably won’t start now).
Fortunately for the Broncos, they should have plenty of options if they ultimately decide to pull the trigger on a trade. While there’s been plenty of trade-back speculation regarding a handful of teams, Schefter definitively points to the Jaguars (No. 5), Panthers (No. 8), 49ers (No. 11), Falcons (No. 15), Seahawks (No. 18), and Buccaneers (No. 19) as teams picking before Denver that could be looking to move back.
I could see Sean going after one of the top RB’s or TE’s. he has a long history of success with those positions that are considered ‘under valued’ by many franchises.
Broncos laying the smoke screen to up the price for a QB needy team wanting to get ahead of the Steelers.
Paton says to the Browns or Giants, “Move back? We’re trying to move UP. But if you make me an offer I can’t refuse, I will consider moving back.”
You’d hope so, especially considering that they JUST did an article on how comfortable they were picking 16-30. Also they just got all of their picks back…
Maybe the 49ers will be willing to get a extra pick or two just been hearing the price isn’t high this year so teams will stick and pick. I’m sure someone will probably trade out late in the 1st, but probably to someone that’s going after a qb for the 5th option year.
A trade up would be for Warren. He’s your typical prototype te build Payton likes.
The trade down list skipped past #4. If Hunter and Carter go 2-3, I could see the Patriots make #4 available to pick up some draft capital to a team that wants to grab Jeanty (top 3 talent) or Sanders (was potential #1 pick a month ago) and then try to jump back up to something like 8 and still get their guy. No one knows anything and I love it!
Tetairoa McMillan or egbuka I’m calling it now
This looks like he wants one of the top RBs