Denver Broncos News & Rumors

Broncos Do Not View Zach Wilson As Starter; Teams Believe Denver Could Trade Patrick Surtain For QB

April 24th, 2024 at 11:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos’ trade for Zach Wilson is not expected to affect the team’s plans in the first round. Sean Payton’s team still wants to add a passer, and it appears willing to go to the extreme to make it happen.

Wilson is not viewed as a starter in Denver, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. A report late last week suggested the Broncos would be willing to include All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain in a deal to move up for a quarterback Thursday night, and Russini notes teams in the top five believe the Broncos could indeed include their top player in a package that gives them a passer Payton covets (subscription required).

While confirming Payton wants a quarterback — which has long been the expectation for the Broncos in Round 1, potentially via moving up or down from No. 12 — Russini adds the Broncos do have a limit regarding how much they are willing to give up. Veterans on expiring contracts could also be in play in a trade-up scenario. The Broncos do not have a 2024 second-round pick, limiting their draft arsenal compared to other teams — like the Vikings, Raiders and Giants — linked to moving up for a passer.

Denver has left tackle Garett Bolles on an expiring deal, and Courtland Sutton (signed through 2025 on a $15MM-per-year pact) has made it known he wants a new contract. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones is also heading into the final season of a three-year, $30MM deal. Denver, which dealt Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland, does not plan to trade Sutton. Though, that cannot be ruled out given the stakes here.

Neither Bolles nor Sutton would carry comparable value to Surtain, a two-time Pro Bowler who is going into his age-24 season. The Broncos picked up the high-end cornerback’s fifth-year option ($19.8MM) on Tuesday and are aiming to start extension talks post-draft. That is, if they still employ the standout boundary cover man by that point.

J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix have repeatedly come up in connection with the Broncos, with the former almost definitely requiring a trade-up move to acquire. Nix has been viewed as a player who could be available later in the first round, and moving down would play into the Broncos’ hands after the team traded away three first-rounders — to acquire Payton and Russell Wilson — from 2022-23.

Zach Wilson not being viewed as a starter is somewhat interesting, though the thrice-benched passer has not exactly done anything to show he is worthy of such a path. But the Broncos do roster both Wilson and Jarrett Stidham, a player previous reports indicated could be the starter if it came to it come Week 1. It is clear, however, both Stidham (tied to a two-year, $10MM deal) and Wilson are bridge options for a Broncos team that has done extensive work on this year’s QB class.

This is set to be a pivotal span for a franchise that has been unable to find a true Peyton Manning successor since the all-time great’s post-Super Bowl 50 retirement.

2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

April 24th, 2024 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($25.66MM): Exercised
QB Zach Wilson, Broncos* ($22.41MM): Declined
QB Trey Lance, Cowboys** ($22.41MM): Declined
TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($10.88MM): Exercised
WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals ($21.82MM): Exercised
WR Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($15.59MM): Exercised
T Penei Sewell, Lions ($19MM): Extended through 2029
CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($12.47MM): Exercised
CB Patrick Surtain, Broncos ($19.82MM): Exercised
WR DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($15.59MM): Extended through 2028
QB Justin Fields, Steelers*** ($25.66MM): Declined
DE Micah Parsons, Cowboys ($21.32MM): Exercised
T Rashawn Slater, Chargers ($19MM): Exercised
OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets ($13.31MM): Exercised
QB Mac Jones, Jaguars**** ($25.66MM): Declined
LB Zaven Collins, Cardinals ($13.25MM): Declined
T Alex Leatherwood, Raiders: N/A
LB Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins ($13.3MM): Exercised
LB Jamin Davis, Commanders ($14.48MM): Declined
WR Kadarius Toney, Chiefs***** ($14.35MM): Declined
DE Kwity Paye, Colts ($13.4MM): Exercised
CB Caleb Farley, Titans ($12.47MM): Declined
T Christian Darrisaw, Vikings ($16MM): Exercised
RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($6.79MM): Declined
RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars ($6.14MM): Exercised
CB Greg Newsome, Browns ($13.38MM): To be exercised
WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens ($14.35MM): N/A; extended through 2026
DE Payton Turner, Saints ($13.39MM): Declined
CB Eric Stokes, Packers ($12.47MM): Declined
DE Greg Rousseau, Bills ($13.39MM): Exercised
LB Odafe Oweh, Ravens ($13.25MM): Exercised
LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers ($13.25MM): Declined

* = Jets traded Wilson on April 22, 2024
** = 49ers traded Lance on August 25, 2023
*** = Bears traded Fields on March 16, 2024
**** = Patriots traded Jones on March 10, 2024
***** = Giants traded Toney on October 27, 2022

Broncos, Raiders, Vikings Contact Chargers About No. 5; Bolts Eager To Move Down?

April 24th, 2024 at 10:35am CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers have engaged in discussions about trading down from No. 5 overall, and that may well be the new Bolts regime’s goal. Other teams believe the Chargers are eager to move down in Round 1, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes.

As far as who would trade up, two AFC West clubs are checking in on what would be a high-profile intra-division transaction. The Broncos and Raiders have called to see about moving up to 5, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who adds the Vikings have also discussed trade terms with the Bolts (subscription required). Both Fowler and Russini point to the Chargers’ O-line interest in this draft, adding to an offseason full of buzz about this direction for Jim Harbaugh‘s team.

While the Bolts are clearly open for business at 5, Russini adds the team is setting a high price. The Vikings, Broncos and Raiders sit at Nos. 11-13; each team could need to part with a future first-rounder to make the climb up (presumably for a quarterback). Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick (No. 23) last month, but some around the league believe the NFC North team is trying to avoid parting with both selections to move up, Fowler adds. It would be rather surprising to see the Vikings secure a trade into the top five without needing to include No. 23, especially with that Texans trade costing the Vikes their 2024 second-rounder.

It would be interesting if the Chargers would be willing to deal with the Broncos or Raiders, given the divisional ties, but a weekend report indicated Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz would be open to doing so. Recent draft moves in the NFC North have revealed more flexibility regarding intra-division deals in the early rounds, but the Bolts handing the Broncos or Raiders a potential long-term quarterback solution would mark interesting territory in draft annals. With two of the QB-needy teams in this draft residing in the AFC West, however, the Chargers may not have a choice.

Of course, the Cardinals figure to determine how popular the Bolts’ No. 5 pick will be. Arizona has engaged in trade discussions as well, hearing from four teams (it does not seem to difficult to guess that quartet, with the Giants also exploring a move up the board for a QB) and receiving at least two offers thus far. The Cards trading out of No. 4 and giving a team QB access would stand to give the Bolts their pick of the best non-passers in this draft.

Despite having moved on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the Chargers have been connected to Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt. But they also are being tied to Alabama tackle JC Latham. Bolts-Latham connections, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, would seemingly come into play if the team traded down. Latham operated as the Crimson Tide’s starting right tackle for the past two seasons, and the accomplished blocker could fill that post for the Bolts, who do not need a left tackle due to Rashawn Slater‘s presence.

Both the Titans (No. 7) and Bengals (No. 18) have shown interest in Latham as well, according to Breer and ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano, who indicates teams view the prospect as a player who could play multiple positions along the O-line. Latham sits 18th on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board.

Cincinnati likes Latham “a lot” and needs a right tackle, with Trent Brown in place as a potential one-year stopgap. The Titans have a bigger need on the left side, having moved on from Andre Dillard after one season. If Alt is there for Tennessee at 7, however, enough connections to this point suggest that is the All-American LT’s floor. If Alt is gone by 7, the Titans may well consider trading down, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Latham (or one of this class’ many other quality tackle prospects) would come into play for the LT-needy club in that scenario.

Broncos Viewed As Unlikely To Stay At No. 12; Latest On Team’s QB Interest

April 23rd, 2024 at 4:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

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.

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.

Broncos Exercise CB Patrick Surtain’s Fifth-Year Option

April 23rd, 2024 at 2:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

A formality given Patrick Surtain‘s accomplishments on his rookie contract, the Broncos are extending their top player’s deal through 2025. Denver officially is picking up Surtain’s fifth-year option, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets.

GM George Paton confirmed the team would go this route with Surtain in February, and as a multi-time Pro Bowler, the former top-10 pick is tied to the highest option price for a cornerback. That number checks in at $19.8MM, matching this year’s CB franchise tag tender.

The Broncos are the second team to officially exercise an option for a 2021 draftee; in extending DeVonta Smith, the Eagles picked up his option. Smith’s former teammate at Alabama, Surtain joins Micah Parsons and Ja’Marr Chase as 2021 draftees eligible for the top option price at their respective position. Players need to have made two original-ballot Pro Bowls on their rookie deal to become eligible for the franchise tag number.

Surtain, 24, has become one of the NFL’s best corners. With the Broncos cutting four-time second-team All-Pro Justin Simmons, there is little doubt Surtain enters the team’s offseason program as its top player. The second-generation NFL corner earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2022, helping keep Denver’s defense afloat during a miserable season on offense. Surtain did not quite reach that level in 2023, but the 6-foot-2 cover man earned a Pro Bowl nod.

This expected transaction does come amid a bit of uncertainty regarding Surtain’s Denver status. The Broncos have expressed obvious interest in extending the ascending defender, and the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson adds extension talks are expected to ramp up after the draft.

While Paton drafted him back in 2021, Sean Payton was still in New Orleans at that point. Granted, the Saints were rumored to be interested in Surtain then. But the Broncos need a quarterback — their Zach Wilson trade notwithstanding — and Surtain may be the chip required to vault the team up the board in Round 1. Previously mentioned as hesitant to give up Surtain in a deal that would allow them to move up from No. 12 into QB territory, the Broncos seem a bit more open to the prospect as the draft nears.

It would certainly represent risk for the Broncos to bail on this type of asset so early in his career, and such a move would then create a glaring CB need. But the Broncos have, for the most part, carried a QB need for the past eight years. As mentioned in this week’s Trade Rumors Front Office installment, Payton may view Surtain as a necessary trade chip — in an AFC flooded with high-end passers — in a quest to climb into range for J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye. Payton is believed to be high on the former, which is interesting given the buzz tying the Giants and Vikings to the latter this week.

The Broncos wanted two first-rounders to merely start a conversation about Surtain before last year’s deadline. Three teams made offers, though none were believed to be in that ballpark. As the draft nears, Surtain — used as one of the models for the Broncos’ new uniforms Monday — could be discussed further in deals. For now, he is on the Broncos’ books at $1.1MM in base salary this season. That certainly makes him an attractive trade piece, should this process rev into high gear leading up to the draft.

Jets To Trade QB Zach Wilson To Broncos

April 22nd, 2024 at 10:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Zach Wilson‘s time in New York is set to come to an end. The Jets have found a trade partner for the former No. 2 pick in the form of the Broncos.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Jets will send Wilson to Denver as part of a Day 3 pick swap. The teams will exchange sixth- and seventh-round picks, with New York acquiring No. 203 and the Broncos adding Wilson and No. 256. Both clubs will evenly split Wilson’s $5.45MM in 2024 compensation, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes this agreement has been in the works “for weeks.” The Broncos have long been linked to a quarterback addition this offseason, with Russell Wilson unsurprisingly being released. That move left a vacancy under center, but in the lead-in to the draft Jarrett Stidham was in place atop the depth chart. That will remain the case for the time being, but Wilson represents a young depth option for Denver. One year remains on the latter’s rookie contract.

Having failed to secure a long-term answer under center with Sam Darnold, the Jets selected Wilson second overall in 2021. That made him one of five first-round QBs that year, but only one (Trevor Lawrence) is still with his original team. Wilson – who logged 33 starts in three seasons as a Jet – joins Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones in having been dealt at a fraction of the cost relative to the draft capital used in their selection.

Following a rookie season in which Wilson struggled with accuracy and turnovers, he did not progress as hoped in Year 2. The 24-year-old was limited to nine contests in 2022 and saw Mike White take over as New York’s starter. That led to an aggressive pursuit of Aaron Rodgers last offseason, and while his Achilles tear prompted Wilson to once again see game action, things did not go as planned. Wilson in particular and the Jets’ offense as a whole struggled mightily.

As a result, it came as no surprise when the BYU alum was given permission to seek out a trade partner. Wilson’s cap charge ($11.1MM) and poor play hindered his value, and as expected the Jets have needed to attach draft capital to him to land a pick in return. Considering the gap between when New York began fielding offers and today’s agreement being reached, this marks a miniscule (but nevertheless expected) price from the Jets’ perspective.

New York has Rodgers and veteran backup Tyrod Taylor on the books, but the team could use the upcoming draft to add a developmental third option. Denver, meanwhile, will add Wilson to a depth chart featuring Stidham and Ben DiNucci. The lack of proven passers has led to considerable speculation tying the Broncos to an aggressive trade up the board for a first-round quarterback. Head coach Sean Payton himself is believed to be on board with such a move.

This deal has not tangibly taken away the draft capital which would be needed for Denver to move into the top five or top 10 in the first-round order. With Wilson in place, though, Payton has a depth signal-caller to work with for at least the 2024 campaign. Where Wilson slots on the Broncos’ depth chart following the draft – and as such the opportunities for playing time he receives in the Mile High City – will be interesting to watch.

Prospect Profile: Bo Nix

April 22nd, 2024 at 10:55pm CST by Ely Allen

Quarterback has been a position of significant intrigue ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. The least intriguing piece is USC’s Caleb Williams, who has been slotted into the No. 1 overall pick pretty much since the end of the 2023 NFL Draft. For several weeks now, a prediction that three other quarterbacks (LSU’s Jayden Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy) are expected to occupy the three picks immediately following the presumed selection of Williams, in some order. After those four, only two other names have been mentioned as potential first round passers: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. (who received a Prospect Profile a month ago) and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.

Nix started off his high school career at Scottsboro School (Alabama) before following his father, former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix, who had just been hired as the head coach at Pinson Valley HS (Alabama) closer to Birmingham. A fractured left ankle kept the younger Nix from thriving in his first year at the new school, but he made a return in time to lead Pinson Valley to a state championship title. He absolutely dominated his senior year, leading his school to their second straight state title and getting ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s 62nd best overall recruit and second-best dual-threat quarterback behind Daniels. Other recruiting services had him as a five-star quarterback and the top dual-threat passer in the nation.

Sitting smack dab between Alabama and Auburn, Nix was recruited heavily by both programs. It did not take much to persuade Nix, though, as he committed to his father’s alma mater before his senior season even began, never wavering from following in his father’s footsteps. Nix enrolled early for the Tigers and quickly beat out Joey Gatewood and Malik Willis for the starting job as a true freshman. Despite early growing pains, namely his 57.6 completion percentage, Nix shined in his first year leading the team, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors. While Nix displayed some ups and downs over the next two years, his numbers continued to improve despite having three different offensive coordinators. The team success did not improve, though, as the Tigers went 12-9 with Nix starting in those two years.

After a broken ankle ended his 2021 season, Nix let it be known that he was miserable under new head coach Bryan Harsin, who didn’t coach in 2023 after being fired part-way through the 2022 season, and entered the transfer portal. Nix committed to Oregon, reuniting with Kenny Dillingham, who had been his offensive coordinator during his freshman year at Auburn. Thanks to COVID-19, Nix now had six years to play five seasons, meaning he had two years of eligibility remaining with the Ducks.

Nix exploded in his first season at a new school. For the first time in his collegiate career, Nix eclipsed a 70 completion percentage (71.9), 3,000 passing yards (3,593), 20 passing touchdowns (29), 500 rushing yards (510), and 10 rushing touchdowns (14). He was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection as he set the school record for highest completion percentage at a school that produced such quarterbacks as Marcus Mariota and Justin Herbert. His senior year saw him take off even more, beating his prior year passing numbers with a new record-77.4 completion percentage, 4,508 passing yards, and 45 touchdowns to just three interceptions.

If stats were the sole determining factor for who would go No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, Nix would be the unanimous selection. In 2023, Nix’s 77.4 completion percentage led all of college football. It wasn’t just a school record, it broke Mac Jones‘ FBS record for single-season completion percentage. Nix was second in the FBS in passing yards only behind Penix (4,903) last season. He let the nation in passing touchdowns, and while some full-season starters like Florida State’s Jordan Travis and Penn State’s Drew Allar had few interceptions (2), neither were producing near the yardage and touchdowns of Nix. But scouts and coaches focus on much more than numbers when it comes to the draft.

Physically, Nix is not the prototype for a quarterback, but his body type works for the game he plays. While Nix set records with his arm this year, he still projects best as dual-threat passer. Some of his best throws come on the run and without his feet set, and he uses strong footwork to avoid tacklers in a collapsing pocket. He benefited from most of his production coming off quick, one-look passes, but those plays fit his quick release and strong arm.

Nix still showed the ability to throw all over the field and was productive using play fakes to open routes up down the field. He is a strong runner and, though he did sustain a pair of ankle injuries through high school and college, any questions of his toughness were put to rest when he broke Colt McCoy and Kellen Moore‘s NCAA records for most starts in a career for a quarterback with 61.

So, why isn’t Nix going No. 1 overall? Mainly, quarterbacks with Nix’s style of play have not generally fared well in the NFL. They have not fared poorly (see Mariota, Baker Mayfield, Tyrod Taylor), but they never really stick out around the league’s best. Coaches have nitpicked a lack of patience that does not allow routes to develop and open up. Nix also can rely on his great arm strength as a catch-all, affecting his accuracy and forcing his receivers to make some uncomfortable grabs. Teams also will not like that he is 24 years old entering the NFL draft. It’s not quite on the level of Brandon Weeden (the NFL’s oldest-ever first-round pick at 28 years old), but he’s already the same age as Trevor Lawrence.

Nix presents a mixed bag coming into the draft. He provided outstanding production through the air and on the ground at the collegiate level. Though his style of play isn’t tailormade for the NFL, Nix has proven to be very coachable. After three different coordinators in his first three seasons and a change of schools, Nix continued to improve year after year, going from a 57.6 completion percentage as a freshman to the FBS record-holder in the stat. He has been lauded for his academics and leadership with his coaches calling him “another coach” on the field, and he only got better each year.

There is plenty to suggest that Nix could struggle to be elite at the next level, but with his tools and drive, it’s hard to imagine that he won’t get a chance as a starter at some point.

Now, where does a player like that go in the draft? Most see Nix as a likely Day 2 pick, though an early run of quarterbacks could force a team’s hand if they truly want Nix, and there isn’t an absence of teams who do. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, there is an assumption in league circles that, if Nix goes in the first round, it will be to the Broncos. While some speculate that Denver could trade up to select McCarthy, many like Nix better as a stylistic fit with head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos do not have a second-round pick, so they may opt to trade back from No. 12, collect more draft capital, and draft Nix to compete with the newly acquired Zach Wilson.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter warns not to dismiss the Rams, either. Schefter points to general manager Les Snead, who was a graduate assistant coach at Auburn in 1993, when Nix’s father, Patrick, was the Tigers’ quarterback. With some speculation that Penix could be the fifth passer coming off the board as high as No. 8 overall, do not rule out Los Angeles taking Matthew Stafford‘s heir apparent at No. 19.

The speculation does not stop there. With mere days remaining until the draft begins, there is no shortage of possibilities for how the event may play out. Nix could join the others in the first round, or he could freefall into the middle of the draft. Regardless, some NFL team should be adding a coachable, fast-learning competitor later this week.

Broncos To Sign CB Levi Wallace

April 22nd, 2024 at 8:33am CST by Sam Robinson

APRIL 22: Wallace is set to head back to Denver today with the intention of signing a one-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. His free agent visit obviously went well, and Rapoport notes Wallace had other offers but he preferred to play under Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Cornerback could still be a position of interest in this week’s draft, but the team now has a starting-caliber veteran in the fold.

APRIL 11: Preparing to go into last season with Damarri Mathis as the boundary starter opposite Patrick Surtain, the Broncos made a switch by moving veteran Fabian Moreau into that starting spot. Moreau is a free agent, and the team is looking into other options at cornerback.

One prospective addition has emerged. Ex-Buffalo and Pittsburgh corner Levi Wallace is visiting Denver on Friday, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. Wallace spent the past two seasons with the Steelers.

Wallace, 28, started 18 games for Pittsburgh but played a regular role in Buffalo. For his career, the former UDFA has 70 starts under his belt. He would certainly supply the Broncos with some experience and profile as an option opposite Surtain. The Broncos still roster Mathis and traded back into last year’s third round to draft Iowa’s Riley Moss. The latter did not see much playing time as a rookie.

Even before Tre’Davious White‘s seminal ACL tear, the Bills used Wallace as a regular starter. The Alabama alum started every game he played with Buffalo from 2018-21. Wallace never allowed a passer rating north of 86 in his first five NFL seasons, posting sub-77 numbers as the closest defender in 2018 and ’21. Pro Football Focus rated Wallace as the NFL’s fourth-best corner in 2018, marking a surprising emergence given his draft status. Wallace’s PFF marks steadily declined over the next five years, and the Steelers demoted him in 2023.

After starting five of the Steelers’ first six games, Wallace dropped to a backup role for the next several weeks. Injuries in the secondary prompted Pittsburgh to insert Wallace back into the lineup to close the season, but after he had signed a two-year deal worth $9MM, the Steelers had made other plans. On the whole, Wallace allowed six touchdown passes last season. After signing Patrick Peterson and drafting Joey Porter Jr. 32nd overall last year, the Steelers swapped out Peterson for Donte Jackson this offseason. Going into the draft, Pittsburgh has Porter, Jackson and Josiah Scott positioned as their top three CBs.

In Ja’Quan McMillian, the Broncos found a promising rookie in the slot. But they are still in need of an answer opposite Surtain. The team may well look to the draft to address this role as well, with Moss presumably set to factor into a potential competition. With Moreau unsigned, the team will see if Wallace proves a low-cost fit.

Broncos HC Sean Payton Prepared To “Mortgage Future” To Trade Up For QB?

April 21st, 2024 at 10:26pm CST by Rory Parks

Broncos GM George Paton recently conceded that he would be prepared to part with future first-round draft picks to trade up from the No. 12 overall selection in this year’s draft if such a move allows him to select a franchise quarterback. We have also heard that while head coach Sean Payton is naturally interested in a trade-up for a QB, the club may ultimately choose to trade down to accumulate more assets; after all, thanks to the trades bringing Russell Wilson and Payton to Denver, the Broncos have not made a first-round selection since 2021 and do not have a second-round choice this year.

Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com, however, hears that Payton is not merely willing to contemplate a move up the board. The former Super Bowl-winning HC — who narrowly missed out on drafting Patrick Mahomes in 2017 when the Chiefs moved up 17 spots to leapfrog the Payton-led Saints to land the future star — is reportedly prepared to “mortgage the franchise’s future” to acquire one of the top passer prospects in the 2024 class.

The near miss on Mahomes has, according to Pauline’s sources, left a sour taste in Payton’s mouth, and he is looking to right past wrongs. Given that the teams holding the top three selections in this year’s draft have the need to add blue chip signal-callers of their own, the Cardinals’ No. 4 overall choice is perhaps the highest pick the Broncos could theoretically acquire. Arizona is certainly open for business, but it is unclear just how far down the board the team would be willing to go, and the same can be said of the Chargers, who hold the No. 5 pick and who may not want to give a division rival the opportunity to draft a franchise QB.

It is certainly possible that Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye will be taken with the first three picks of the draft and will therefore be unavailable for the Broncos. Per Pauline, that would suit Payton just fine, as he is said to have his eyes set on Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy’s blend of intelligence and ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly is particularly appealing to Payton, perhaps because it reminds him so much of longtime charge Drew Brees.

Of course, this is hardly the first time that the Broncos have been rumored to be interested in trading up for a quarterback. All of the earlier reports to that effect have noted how costly such an endeavor would be, and Pauline acknowledges that Denver’s package would need to include at least one future first-rounder, the No. 12 pick this year, and cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Pauline himself said back in February that the heavy cost of jumping up the draft board would likely preclude the Broncos from doing so, and that the team would only deal Surtain as a last resort.

It seems that much has changed in the past couple of months, with Payton now prepared to do whatever it takes to nab a prospect like McCarthy. We learned just last week that the Broncos may be more receptive to the notion of trading Surtain than they were at last season’s trade deadline, and Pauline’s report is consistent with that line of thinking.

If Denver is ultimately unable to jump up the board, Payton & Co. would content themselves with Oregon’s Bo Nix as Plan B. A recent projection suggested that the Ravens, who hold the No. 30 overall pick, may be willing to deal that selection to the Broncos, who would use it to select Nix. A subsequent report indicated that Baltimore is not, in fact, looking to move out of the first round, though the right offer can of course change draft plans in a hurry.

Only a small percentage of Pauline’s sources believe the Broncos would select Nix with their No. 12 choice. That stands to reason in light of a recent report from Ari Meirov of The33rdTeam.com, who hears from league executives that Nix is more of a Day 2 prospect.

Broncos Don’t Plan To Trade Courtland Sutton

April 20th, 2024 at 9:45am CST by Ben Levine

Courtland Sutton has been a popular trade candidate for the better part of a year. While the Broncos’ offseason overhaul has already led to plenty of offensive turnover, it sounds like the former second-round receiver will be sticking in Denver.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Broncos have received “multiple trade inquiries” on Sutton. However, the front office doesn’t plan on trading the wideout. Sutton was a no-show for the start of Broncos voluntary offseason workouts, with the understanding being that the receiver was seeking a new contract.

However, Sutton is also rehabbing an ankle injury. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the wideout had offseason ankle surgery stemming from an injury he suffered during the regular-season finale. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like the player nor the team are overly concerned about the recovery, and Sutton has been active working out in Florida during the offseason.

Sutton has two years remaining on his contract, including a 2024 campaign where he’s set to earn a base salary of $13MM. The Broncos already picked up his $2MM guarantee for 2024, but that’s the team’s only current financial commitment to the player. None of Sutton’s 2025 earnings are guaranteed. The receiver is set to count for $17.4MM against the cap this season, and he’ll have a similar cap hit in 2025.

An acquiring team could look to sign Sutton to a new deal, although with two years remaining and easy outs on the contract, there certainly wouldn’t be any urgency to sign an extension. That’s probably why the Broncos aren’t in a rush to make a trade, and it’s unlikely teams are offering a whole lot for the wideout. While Sutton has remained relatively healthy throughout his career (he missed most of the 2020 campaign due to a torn ACL but has otherwise missed three career games), he hasn’t put up top-end production. He topped 1,000-yards receiving during his sophomore season, but since returning from his knee injury, he’s averaged only 800 yards per season.

As the Broncos eye an uncertain future on offense, it seems they’re putting some value on Sutton’s continuity. The team already moved on from quarterback Russell Wilson and fellow receiver Jerry Jeudy. If things don’t go well at the beginning of the 2024 campaign, Sutton could be the next offensive player to get shipped out.

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