Denver Broncos: Options at QB after Matthew Stafford trade
Another trade?
Could the Broncos explore another trade for a quarterback? Possibly.
A player like Sam Darnold of the Jets might be available depending on what the Jets want to do with that second overall pick, but they stand a pretty decent chance of getting Deshaun Watson if he’s moved with their plethora of first-round picks from 2021-22.
Darnold might also be more coveted by other teams like the 49ers now that they missed out on the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes.
I think the Jets will hang onto Darnold until there is clarity with Deshaun Watson. Who knows how soon that would happen?
The most likely option(s)
There is virtually zero chance of the Deshaun Watson trade happening for Denver. Not with the Jets having four first-round picks between 2021 and 2022 and Sam Darnold, or the Dolphins having three and multiple second-rounders as well as Tua Tagovailoa.
The Broncos cannot compete with those offers, and it has already leaked that Watson would play in either spot.
The 2021 NFL Draft becomes a bit more interesting but other dominos must fall (specifically, Watson) before there is any real clarity there. If Watson goes to New York, the Houston Texans likely wind up with Zach Wilson or whoever their QB2 is.
The Broncos could try to tempt the Jets for Sam Darnold if New York doesn’t land Watson, or maybe the Broncos jump in as a third team in that trade if they do.
The most likely options remain sticking with Drew Lock and signing a veteran in free agency (or making a modest trade for one) or going after someone in the 2021 NFL Draft. At this point in time, because the whole coaching staff was retained, it would make more sense for the Broncos to stick with Lock.
The Stafford trade was obviously a huge domino to fall, and the Denver Broncos can now move to the next scenario in their master offseason board.