Sean Payton confirms what everyone has been thinking about the Broncos' first round draft plans
The Denver Broncos currently sit at pick No. 12 in the 2024 NFL Draft and not only do they have a ton of holes on their roster, but six of their eight draft picks are on Day 3. So, it's safe to say that the Broncos are in a tough situation, and to make things […]
The Denver Broncos currently sit at pick No. 12 in the 2024 NFL Draft and not only do they have a ton of holes on their roster, but six of their eight draft picks are on Day 3. So, it's safe to say that the Broncos are in a tough situation, and to make things even tougher, they still need to find a franchise quarterback.
Despite a deep QB class, landing one of the top guys in the position at pick No. 12 is pretty much impossible. Therefore, trading up is the best way to accomplish that goal and according to head coach Sean Payton, that's a "realistic" scenario.
"It's good to be Monti (Ossenfort, Arizona Cardinals GM) right now," Payton told reporters on Monday at the Annual League Meetings.
What could it cost to move up to No. 4 in the first round?
The Cardinals currently have the fourth pick in the draft, and when considering the quarterback situation is already figured out via Kyler Murray, they could certainly trade back to receive more draft compensation. Even if they don't already have enough with six of their 11 draft picks coming the first three rounds.
Either way, it makes sense for the Broncos to trade up and the Cardinals to trade back. So, how could the Broncos make this hypothetical turn into reality?
Per the Rich Hill draft value chart, there is a 144-point difference between the Broncos' 12th overall selection (347 points) and the Cardinals' No. 4 overall pick (491 points). Therefore, the Broncos would have to include a front end second-rounder, at minimum, just to balance things out.
But as we all know, prices go up when you move into the top-5, especially if you're moving into that spot from outside the top-10. That's why the following trade makes the most sense.
What a Broncos-Cardinals trade would look like in this scenario
Broncos send:
– 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (347 points)
– 76th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (third-rounder worth 61 points)
– First-rounder in the 2025 NFL Draft (valued at No. 16 overall, 305 points)
Broncos get (from Cardinals):
– 4th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (491 points)
– 35th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (second-rounder worth 170 points)
The Cardinals would still net +52 points in this trade, equivalent to a back-end third-rounder. This trade makes sense for both sides, however, the question is, should the Broncos pull the trigger?
Final word
It's very, very hard to find a quarterback who can change your franchise, as the Broncos recently learned with Russell Wilson.
Denver is in a tough spot because if it were to pull this trade off, it then means the franchise has had just one first-round pick in a four-season span because of QB moves. And we wouldn't know if the latest move (this hypothetical) works until it's too late, potentially.
At the same time, if you think you can get your guy, and he is the guy of the future for your franchise, I think you have to go for it. Payton will be the key, here. If he can work his past QB magic, then all will be well.
Answering one of the biggest questions for the Broncos before the draft
The Denver Broncos have a ton of questions that still need to be answered, but one of the most important questions lies with the defense.
