The Denver Broncos’ quarterback situation remains uncertain heading into the NFL Draft, with recent rumors suggesting the team may trade down and pursue a potential starting QB. Despite acquiring Zach Wilson from the Jets, the Broncos are reportedly still exploring options. Albert Breer of SI.com and Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports have indicated that Denver is considering a move down the board, while both the Patriots and Cardinals have received offers regarding their top-four picks.
The Broncos have been heavily linked to Bo Nix, a QB with impressive stats 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. However, Denver has been the team coming up most frequently in connection with Nix.
If the Broncos do trade down, they could add to their arsenal, which currently lacks a second-round pick due to last year’s swap with the Saints for Sean Payton’s rights. It is also possible that Denver could end up with a potential starting QB if they traded down.
A move down the board would be a daring move from the Broncos, who would be passing on this year’s QB crop and pitting 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, it is not inconceivable that a reset season is coming.
Peyton Manning recently confirmed that the Broncos are “very interested” in J.J. McCarthy, following 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.
The Broncos trading their top player, Patrick Surtain, would be a risky move, but the team has certainly been without an upper-crust answer at quarterback 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.
