The Denver Broncos are one of the teams that will be in the market for a new quarterback during the 2024 NFL offseason. They decided to move on from veteran Russell Wilson, benching him near the end of the 2023 campaign to avoid triggering any more guarantees in his contract.
Right now, the only quarterback that will be under contract with the Broncos is Jarrett Stidham, who replaced Wilson down the stretch. Stidham is confident in his abilities to become the starting quarterback in Denver, but they will assuredly look into adding some competition.
Where that competition comes from, is anyone’s guess. Denver is currently projected north of $24 million over the salary cap, so jumping into the bidding in free agency seems unlikely. Finding a long-term solution at an affordable price is achievable if the Broncos look to make a move in the NFL Draft.
NFL News & Rumors: Drake Maye, Sean Payton, 2024 NFL Draft, Denver Broncos Updates
Alas, that may not be feasible with where the Broncos are currently in the draft order. Slated to pick No. 12, all of the top prospects under center will be off the board. Denver has been linked to players such as Bo Nix, but they could look to aim higher.
If they want to land one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class, a trade up will have to occur. That is exactly what Trevor Sikkema is predicting to happen in a recent mock draft done over at PFF.
Sikkema has proposed the Broncos move up to the No. 2 spot in a trade with the Washington Commanders. To land that selection, Denver will second the No. 12 pick, first and second-round picks in 2025 and a first-round pick in 2026 to complete the deal. With the second overall pick, they would land their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye.
“I believe the market for quarterbacks in this draft will be red hot, and we’ll see that solidify after free agency.
Teams such as the Falcons, Raiders, Broncos and Vikings will all be looking to move up for a quarterback. Here, I have an aggressive Sean Payton moving from No. 12 to No. 2 by giving up the same compensation package the 49ers offered to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 for Trey Lance in 2021,” wrote Sikkema.
NFL News & Rumors: Drake Maye, Sean Payton, 2024 NFL Draft, Denver Broncos Updates
Maye would be heading to a Broncos team built for a young quarterback to succeed. Payton is as good as it comes in terms of offensive coaches and a solid offensive line is in place. The skill positions are strong as well with running back Javonte Williams and wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims.
This would be a risky trade for the Broncos to make. Already short on draft capital from the moves to acquire Wilson and head coach Sean Payton, this would deplete their war chest even further.
But, to acquire premium assets, you have to be willing to surrender some in return. Denver is doing that in this scenario while banking on Maye being the guy for years to come. If that is what it costs to land the No. 2 pick, imagine what it would cost to pry the first pick away from the Chicago Bears.
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