NFL Draft: Could the Denver Broncos Trade Up?
By Gabe Harris
With the NFL Draft fast approaching, the Denver Broncos have a lot of decisions to make.
There has been speculation from a number of sources that the Broncos could perhaps trade up in the draft due to their surplus of picks and corresponding lack of roster spots for those picks
However, the Broncos have 4 compensatory picks, which are untradeable, leaving them with 6 tradable picks. So, how far could the Broncos conceivably trade up?
Going by the Draft Trade Value Chart the Broncos tradable picks amount to a total value of 1,172.5 points. That total falls right between the 12th and 13th picks in the draft.
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However, it would be quite shocking if the Broncos were to trade all six of their tradable picks to move up to the 12th spot in the draft. They would have to like somebody an awful lot.
It is conceivable however that they could move up a few spots in the draft. Were they willing to trade their 1st and 3rd round selections they could move up to about the 21st spot in the draft if somebody they really like falls.
If they are unwilling to pair those two picks then there doesn’t seem to be much room for moving up, because their next tradable pick is the 143rd pick in the draft, which they got from Chicago in last years draft.
The Broncos 1st round pick and that 143rd pick in the fifth round are worth a combined total of 694.5 points, which would only allow them to move up 1 or 2 spots in the draft, which doesn’t really seem worth it.
Of course, this is simply using picks from this year and excluding players. The Broncos could part with a player or future picks to sweeten any deal they deem necessary.
Seeing as how the Broncos have gone through a regime change and a complete scheme change on both sides of the ball, there could be a number of players who the new staff could be willing to move. A new staff isn’t necessarily married to certain players on the roster since they didn’t have any say in drafting them or bringing them on board.
Just as an example, it would’ve been difficult for John Fox to part ways with Montee Ball or Ronnie Hillman, but Gary Kubiak and Elway could deem CJ Anderson the better fit for a zone blocking scheme and move one of those other players. Both of those players are still young and have untapped potential that could certainly sweeten the pot in draft day deal.
Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball (28) before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, that’s just an example and total speculation, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if the Broncos were willing to part with some players and picks to get players they see as a better fit for their new schemes.
If the Broncos do indeed believe they have a surplus of picks, then I would also be in favor of trying to better our position in next year’s draft (i.e. trade a fifth this year for a fourth next year)
No matter what they do, I think we’re all excited to get this under way and see who the Broncos end up with. I personally believe that Elway has some tricks up his sleeve, and I would be surprised if the Broncos aren’t moving picks and/or players in some manner come draft day.