Looking ahead to the 2022 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos will certainly be in the trading market, but what & who could be moved?
As it stands today, the Denver Broncos have eight picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Given the history of George Paton, I expect this number to shift by the end of the monstrous three-day event.
Last year, the day prior to the beginning of the NFL Draft, George Paton and the Denver Broncos agreed to acquire quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, from the Carolina Panthers. Are the Carolina Panthers a team that the Denver Broncos could look to make another trade with on or near draft day?
One intriguing target there that most of Broncos Country is familiar with is running back Christian McCaffrey. If that were to be the case, the Denver Broncos would be bringing the former Coloradoan home to play where his father spent several years of his career.
There is another running back target that I would be intrigued by, maybe a tight end and there are some players for the Denver Broncos that may be on the outside looking in with the change in schematics.
Other positions that the Denver Broncos may look to upgrade could be cornerback, defensive line, or the outside linebacker position with Randy Gregory expecting to miss most of the offseason, but the deal has to make sense whether the Denver Broncos are trading someone or trading for someone.
Denver Broncos draft day trade ideas: Christian McCaffrey, RB (Panthers)
I’ve brought up the idea of trading for Christian McCaffrey before. As the draft looms above us all, there is still room for the Denver Broncos to grow at the running back position.
Along with Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley is another name that I would love for the Denver Broncos to inquire about. There have been rumors leaking that the New York Giants may be interested in moving the former second overall pick.
Tossing around the idea of the Denver Broncos adding a former eighth overall pick or second overall pick, who are both electrifying playmakers when healthy, to this already talented offense, brings a lot of excitement.
Both of these guys could come in and share the backfield with Javonte Williams as well as being fantastic third-down backs as they both possess elite pass-catching abilities. Brining in either one of these guys would be adding sprinkles on top of a three-layered iced cake that already has multiple flavors that can entice anyone.
Having the deep threat in K.J. Hamler, route running aficionado in Jerry Jeudy, two 50-50 ball kings in Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, a hyper-athletic tight end in Albert Okwuegbunam paired with Javonte Williams’s resilient running style and the dual-threat or Barkley or McCaffrey would place Russell Wilson in heaven.
Imagine an offensive set where McCaffrey or Barkley is lined up on one side of Russell Wilson and Javonte Williams is on the other, with the fantastic trio of Sutton, Patrick & Hamler outside, profit!
McCaffrey would require less draft capital due to his contract and injury history, but in a deal where the Denver Broncos send a sixth-round pick where the Carolina Panthers could avoid eating his future salary could provide massive dividends for the Denver Broncos in 2022.
However, in 2023, his hit on the salary cap jumps significantly, so this move would require some maneuvering in the future but would make the Denver Broncos’ offense even more potent in the upcoming season.
With the way his contract is set up, the Carolina Panthers wouldn’t clear much cap in 2022, but with a post-June 1 designation, it would help in 2023 & beyond.
Barkley, like McCaffrey, is just still 25 years old. By trading Barkley, the New York Giants could save roughly seven million in cap space in 2022. Barkley will be a free agent after this season, so if the Denver Broncos were to strike a deal with the Giants and Barkley hits free agency, George Paton could even be in line for gaining a compensatory pick, if Barkley plays well and signs a major deal.
Barkley & Javonte Williams would be one helluva one-two punch in the backfield. This move would require a higher cost in regards to draft capital, but it could also pay itself off with the compensation if he were to sign a large deal after this season.
Unlike the scenario with McCaffrey, Barkley could be a mere rental for the Denver Broncos, but he is such a talented player when healthy it may be enough to boost the Broncos over some of the rivaling teams in the AFC.
Denver Broncos draft day trade ideas: Interior offensive linemen
Fortunate for the Denver Broncos, they have added multiple bodies along the offensive line during the 2022 NFL offseason. Unfortunately for guys like Netane Muti, Lloyd Cushenberry III, and even Dalton Risner, this could spell trouble for their careers in Denver.
While they didn’t go bolster the interior offensive line specifically, they did add guys who could play in multiple positions giving the Denver Broncos the utmost flexibility heading into the season.
Guys like Billy Turner and Tom Compton for example, can slide inside or outside and play at the blink of an eye.
Graham Glasgow will be returning from a season that ended abruptly in 2022, making the interior of the offensive line more competitive. The previous regime that drafted Muti and Cushenberry is also out the door, meaning that with the new scheme, it may look bleak for the pair of third-year players.
Muti has played well when asked, the same really can’t be said as much for Cushenberry. From a business perspective, the Denver Broncos need to add draft capital and as of right now, this group may bring George Paton the most opportunity.
Lobbying for players to be traded is not something I do, all of these guys seem like they’re hard-working and fine individuals, but this is a business that can be brutal. If I was looking at who would be the most likely candidate or candidates, it would be Cushenberry or Muti.
If the Denver Broncos carry over eight offensive linemen out of the group that is currently on the roster, it would more than likely be Garrett Bolles, Calvin Anderson, Billy Turner, Tom Compton, Graham Glasgow, Dalton Risner, Quinn Meinerz, and either Muti or Cushenberry, leaving the latter or Muti or Cushenberry on the outside looking in.
Your starting five should be Bolles, Risner, Glasgow & Meinerz at center and right guard, then I think Anderson at right tackle.
George Paton may be looking to find a better fit for this scheme, it may be time to move on from Muti or Cushenberry. While Cushenberry has been available for the Denver Broncos, he has not been the most effective as he has struggled to adapt to the strength of the National Football League.
If there is an opportunity for Paton & the Denver Broncos to get back some dart throws for either one of Cushenberry or Muti, I could see one of the two being dealt during the NFL Draft, especially if someone that he fell in love with during the process is sitting there for him to select.
Denver Broncos draft day trades: Dart throws
This scenario does not include any players, but something I see being very likely with the Denver Broncos lacking draft capital in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Trading back with a team like the New York Giants who are a team with multiple early selections could be an option. With their ammunition, the New York Giants can add some cornerstone pieces to their roster by trading up from pick number 81 to pick number 64.
Currently, the New York Giants have the fifth and seventh overall picks, as well as 36, 67, 81, and 112 in the first four rounds. If they wanted to be aggressive and trade the Denver Broncos pick number 81 & and a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, I think George Paton would be inclined to accept that deal.
It would give the New York Giants five picks in the first 67 picks in a draft where the meat is said to be in the second and third rounds. Trading back would give George Paton and the Denver Broncos a second-round pick next year, which they currently do not have.
Adding that the Giants are not expecting to be much in 2023, the selection could be towards the top of the second round, which could turn into a later second and a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Looking ahead, the Denver Broncos have just five total selections in the 2023 NFL Draft including the Trinity Benson trade here, George Paton will not hogtie himself into that scenario. Doing this deal could flip a scenario of five picks, none being until the 75 to 80 range, to the Denver Broncos having eight to nine picks from moving back just 17 spots in this year’s draft.
3 players the Denver Broncos could release after the 2022 NFL Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and roster spots will be hard to come by with the Denver Broncos. Which players could be released?
This is something that I think Broncos Country should begin thinking about just in case.
There are other teams that will be willing to trade up and select a player they fell in love with during the draft process, but I think the Giants are a team to keep an eye on.