The Denver Broncos are in need of a quarterback after releasing Russell Wilson. The problem is, they don’t pick until 12th in the first round of the NFL Draft, meaning that they will miss out on one of the very top quarterback prospects unless they make a trade.

That’s why ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks the Broncos should strike a deal with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire the fourth overall pick.

Barnwell proposes that Denver sends wide receiver Courtland Sutton, the 12th pick, a 2025 first-round selection and a 2025 second-rounder to the Cardinals in exchange for No. 4 and a third-round pick.

This would give the Broncos the opportunity to potentially select a quarterback (probably Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy at that spot) and would also provide Arizona with a much-needed receiver in Sutton and some impressive draft capital for next year.

The Cardinals badly need help in their receiving corps after losing Marquise Brown to free agency and trading Rondale Moore. Right now, Arizona has Michael Wilson and not a whole lot else at the position.

Of course, the Cardinals can always draft Ohio State wide out Marvin Harrison Jr., which is what just about everyone expects them to do.

But would they be tempted to pass on Harrison if it meant picking up two picks in 2025 as well as Sutton?

Perhaps Arizona would be more intrigued by this scenario if it didn’t involve the club also surrendering a third-rounder this year. Maybe a fourth-rounder would be more enticing for the Cards.

Regardless, the Cardinals’ pick is certainly in demand, as they don’t need a quarterback. Plenty of other teams do, though, and in such a deep quarterback draft, Arizona has to know that it has a ton of leverage in any potential trades.

We’ll see if the Broncos and Cardinals can make something happen next Thursday.

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