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Denver Broncos considered unlikely to move up in 2018 draft

By Sayre Bedinger

STANFORD, CA - FEBRUARY 04: Denver Broncos general manager and executive vice president of football operations John Elway (R) talks to Stanford football head coach David Shaw during the Broncos practice at Stanford Stadium on February 4, 2016 in Stanford, California. The Broncos will play the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
STANFORD, CA - FEBRUARY 04: Denver Broncos general manager and executive vice president of football operations John Elway (R) talks to Stanford football head coach David Shaw during the Broncos practice at Stanford Stadium on February 4, 2016 in Stanford, California. The Broncos will play the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos have apparently been considered ‘unlikely’ to move up in the 2018 NFL Draft this offseason, according to a report…

The Denver Broncos’ primary focus in the 2018 NFL Draft seems to be the quarterback position, but even with four teams picking ahead of them, there’s apparently not a major urgency to move up.

Albert Breer of MMQB had a nugget in a recent piece that revealed the Broncos are a team that the rest of the league apparently considers unlikely to try and trade up for a specific guy.

Here’s a piece of his report:

"What I know is that they’ve been considered, through this offseason, as a team that’s unlikely to trade up. Could that change? Well, if QBs go 1-2-3, and one they like is there at 4, flip-flopping with Cleveland (like Chicago did to get Mitch Trubisky last year) isn’t inconceivable, given that the Browns might well have a market for the pick.Albert Breer, MMQB"

We outlined earlier this offseason the potential cost of moving up just one spot in the draft, specifically when a quarterback is involved.

So what does this actually mean?

Well, it could mean that the Broncos really don’t have anyone in specific they want at the quarterback position, and they like all of the top guys in this class.

It could also mean that the one player the Broncos covet with their top pick is already going to be off the board to Cleveland at that top pick, so they don’t feel they should give up the assets to move up for just ‘any’ quarterback.

The New York Jets took a different approach.

The Jets have ensured they will get one of the top three quarterbacks on their board by moving up to the third overall pick. This means they probably do have a preference, but no one really knows what that is at this point.

For the Broncos, I think it’s wise to remain calm and keep the fifth overall pick. Anyone trying to trade up ahead of Denver is going to have to make a ridiculous offer, and any team ahead of Denver trying to trade down is going to have to give up significant draft positioning to move down with a team like, say, Buffalo.

The great thing right now for the Broncos is, the Browns have two picks ahead of them. So unless Cleveland wants to move down and risk not getting the top non-quarterback on their board, the Broncos will most likely get one of their top four quarterbacks by staying put.

It will be hard when the draft rolls around to tune out the noise and stay calm at five overall, but that ultimately could be John Elway’s best play. If Sam Darnold and Josh Allen go in the top three picks, the Broncos will be in great position to get one of the two more NFL-ready players in Baker Mayfield or Josh Rosen.

And Josh Rosen hates the Patriots, so he’d be a great choice.

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