The Denver Broncos could be poised to make a leap up the 2020 NFL Draft order for a playmaker at wide receiver. We explore the possibility in this mock.
With just one week until the 2020 NFL Draft, what does John Elway have up his sleeve?
The Broncos have been aggressive in the 2020 offseason, making trades and moves in free agency to upgrade the roster and replace some key losses, but they’ve left some obvious holes for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Specifically, the Broncos have to address wide receiver, cornerback, and offensive line in this draft, and they will likely explore upgrades at linebacker and safety as well.
This draft class is extremely deep at wide receiver, it has a lot of potential first-round offensive tackles, and there are cornerbacks to be had from day one to day three.
No one knows at this point how the Broncos will prioritize their top needs, but the latest rumors have been indicating that Elway and company could have a substantial interest in trading up from the 15th overall spot.
Specifically, a number of rumors have implied that the Broncos would be interested in trading up for a wide receiver, and the Cleveland Browns (10th overall) have been identified as a potentially willing suitor.
Some buzz is building about the #Browns trading back and taking OT Ezra Cleveland in round 1. I wondered if it’s ever happened before where a drafted player shared the same name as his team’s city. Per @NFLResearch, it would actually be the fifth(!) time. pic.twitter.com/4ku8t1j2Sn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 16, 2020
I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but a #Browns trade back for OT Ezra Cleveland would be the least surprising move on draft day.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 16, 2020
Adding a LT that they have rated high + adding another day 2 draft pick might just be option A for them. https://t.co/CUUk18HKID
If the Browns are really interested in moving back from the 10th overall pick, the Broncos would probably love to move up for the right price.
That last piece is key.
John Elway has moved up twice in the first round of the NFL Draft.
In 2016, he traded a third-round pick to move up at the back end of the first round to take quarterback Paxton Lynch. In 2015, they traded two fifth-round picks and offensive lineman Manny Ramirez to the Detroit Lions to move from the 28th pick to the 23rd pick for Shane Ray.
But that’s it.
Those are the only two times John Elway has traded up in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Will he do it again?
The Broncos have four picks on day two of the draft and 10 picks total. They may not be keeping 10 rookies in 2020 but they also would certainly have room for five top 100 picks.
If Elway is going to move one of his top 100 picks and other assets for the chance at a top wide receiver, how could the draft go for Denver?
Let’s take a look at a seven-round scenario.