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Denver Broncos mock draft: Kirk Cousins and trading down

By Sayre Bedinger

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 31: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass during the first half of their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 31: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass during the first half of their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) /
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Sam Darnold
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks for an open receiver against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The Trade

So, in the scenario I laid out in my full first round mock draft, the Broncos were the team that won the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes.

That prompted the Jets and Giants to strike a deal where the Jets moved up for Josh Rosen after the Browns fell in love with and selected Baker Mayfield first overall.

That left Sam Darnold on the board with the Broncos’ fifth overall pick. That’s a favorable scenario because it means the Broncos’ pick would be in high demand. As many detractors as Darnold has, he’s got franchise QB potential.

The Cardinals, in this scenario, decide to invest in that potential — heavily.

The ultimate trade haul for the Broncos — who would give up pick no. 5 overall as well as a 5th round pick — would be a 1st, 2nd, and 4th round pick in 2018 as well as a 1st and 3rd round pick in 2019.

It’s a steep price to pay, but it’s not anything outrageous compared to deals we’ve seen in the past (RG3 trade, Jared Goff Trade, etc, Carson Wentz trade, etc.).

This is the price you pay for a franchise quarterback, especially if you are moving from the 15th overall spot into the fifth overall slot.

This would give the Broncos ultimate flexibility to move up and down the draft board in 2018, as well as have two first round picks and five picks in the top 100 total in the 2019 NFL Draft.

If you secure a quarterback like Kirk Cousins, and you’re able to make that kind of trade, it sort of washes out the lack of free agent spending cash you have because you’re able to invest in high draft picks, and surround Cousins with top flight talent that way.

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