The Denver Broncos have a few urgent holes they should look to fill in the 2024 NFL Draft. What are three best-case scenarios when the draft rolls around? The Broncos are currently slated to select 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. An 8-9 record in 2023 has the Broncos on the cusp of the top 10.
The team could move up a few spots if they wanted, but they do not have a ton of capital to do so. I think it's much more likely that the team trades down or selects a player with that 12th pick. It's not going to be perfect for the Broncos when the draft rolls around. They'll surely have a few of their top prospects get drafted by other teams, but there are some scenarios that could happen which would greatly benefit them.
What are the three best case scenarios for the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft?
2024 NFL Draft: Best case scenarios for the Denver Broncos
Scenario 1: The Broncos have multiple QBs to choose from at 12th overall
Realistically, there can be as many as three first-round caliber QBs available for the Broncos when they make their first selection. Those players are Washington's Michael Penix Jr, Oregon's Bo Nix, and Michigan's JJ McCarthy. I am not here to argue about which of the three would be the best fit, but ideally, Sean Payton gets the opportunity to choose between the three.
Each passer brings their own skillset, and each one has a strong argument to be a great fit for the team. Right now, there is no indication what the Broncos could do with their first-round pick, but potentially having three franchise QBs to choose from at No. 12 overall would be a dream.
Scenario 2: The Broncos somehow acquire a second-round pick without trading up
The Denver Broncos did not have a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but traded up into the second-round to select Marvin Mims Jr. They had to give up draft capital to do that. I think another best case scenario is that Denver somehow is able to acquire a second-rounder in the offseason or even the day of that round when the draft begins.
The obvious avenue here to do so is by trading someone. The most likely trade candidates for the Broncos this offseason are Justin Simmons, Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Garett Bolles. I think there is a possibility one or more are moved, and a possibility that all four return to the team in 2024. Of these four, I think Bolles has the highest trade value.
Offensive line play across the NFL is way down, and while Bolles has just one more year left on his contract, he's continually proven to be one of the best left tackles in the NFL. If we're being honest, though, I am not sure any of those players could end up yielding a second-rounder. But heck, it is possible.
Scenario 3: Georgia TE Brock Bowers takes a tumble
Brock Bowers is a mind-bogglingly elite tight end prospect. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the class is loaded at wide receiver, so the Broncos could add some solid talent to their TE room in the mid-rounds of this draft. However, the same cannot be said for the tight end position, and Georgia TE Brock Bowers is clearly the best TE in this class.
He'd finally give the Denver Broncos some elite receiving production from the position, and boy is it needed. Even though tight ends are super valuable in the NFL, all four remaining teams in the NFL playoffs have gotten very good or even elite production from their respective TE rooms. With the draft being deep at the top with pass rushers and wide receivers, I could see a scenario where Brock Bowers falls down just enough for the Broncos to nab him with the 12th overall pick.
Adam Trautman took over the bulk of the TE1 duties when Greg Dulcich went down with more hamstring troubles, and Trautman is truly just a guy. He is not a viable receiving threat, and Dulcich is nowhere near the player that Bowers is. And frankly, anything the Denver Broncos get from Greg Dulcich at this point is a bonus.
Adding a much-needed receiving threat at tight end would do wonders for the Broncos offense.