The Denver Broncos have a ton at stake in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the team might end up making several insanely bold moves in the process. If the team had a second-round pick, things would be a lot easier and a lot less bold, but here we are. The team's 2024 second-round pick went to the New Orleans Saints in the trade for Sean Payton.
With Denver having the 12th overall pick, there is a shot that they can trade down from this slot and potentially acquire a second-rounder this year, which might be the most ideal scenario. At this point, outside of Caleb Williams likely going #1 overall, I'm not sure anyone truly knows what's going to happen, and that's especially true with the tight-lipped Broncos.
Let's try our best to make three bold predictions for the team in the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Team makes "Godfather" offer to move up but it isn't enough
The Denver Broncos will make a huge, massive offer to try and move into the top five of the 2024 NFL Draft but won't be able to get it done. With QBs likely going with the first three picks, Denver could be left with someone like JJ McCarthy still on the board when the Arizona Cardinals pick at 4th overall. This could be a sweet spot for the Broncos to make a huge push.
However, with the team's limited capital, Sean Payton would have to put an offer together with draft picks and perhaps a player, but won't be able to get it done. And frankly, that might be the best long-term option for the team.
Broncos selection at pick 12 is an EDGE Rusher
Sean Payton was with the New Orleans Saints from 2006-2021. Let's look at the team's first-round picks in each of those drafts to perhaps get an idea of what direction Denver goes in
2006: RB
2007: WR
2008: DT
2009: DB
2010: DB
2011: DE
2012: Not with team - suspended
2013: DB
2014: WR
2015: OT
2016: DT
2017: DB
2018: DE
2019: OC
2020: OC
2021: DE
So, nine defensive and six offensive players were chosen from 2006-2021 in Sean Payton's first pick in each NFL Draft. Four of those nine defensive players were defensive backs and five of them were along the defensive line. So, there you have it. Now yes, the idea of an inside linebacker going in the first round in today's NFL is unlikely.
Statistically speaking, it seems to be slightly more likely that the Denver Broncos will make a selection along the defensive front with their first-round pick, and if they cannot trade up, I believe they will stick at 12 and take the best DL prospect on the board. I refuse to believe this team is going to take a DB with pick 12. Well, I don't want it to happen, and it would be an insanely silly move.
Dallas Turner or Jared Verse seem like two players who the Denver Broncos could target with their first-round pick, and if they have a high enough grade on one of the DTs in Johnny Newton or Byron Murphy II, they could go that route, too.
Denver Broncos trade UP to select a quarterback
I predict that the Denver Broncos will somehow find a way to trade up from their 76th overall pick into the early second round for a quarterback. Right now, I am beginning to think that guys like Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr are going to fall out of the first round.
There might not be many fits for Nix or Penix beyond the top 13-ish picks, and while both players can certainly be franchise QBs, they aren't exactly glaringly obvious first-round talents. Well, a scenario that Sean Payton might be envisioning is getting a top DL prospect with pick 12 and moving back up for a QB.
How would you feel if the Denver Broncos first two draft picks were Jared Verse and Bo Nix? To me, that'd be a near-dream scenario. The two most urgent positions of need for the Broncos are at QB and are along the defensive line. The team doesn't have three starting defensive tackles in my opinion and could stand to add another starter off the EDGE.
After getting the defensive front and QB hopefully fixed, Denver could use the rest of their picks to bolster the WR room, add a late-round defensive back, and maybe even add a weapon at tight end and running back. But let's not overthink this here; the two most important qualities of a winning football team is a franchise QB and the ability to get to the quarterback consistently, which are two things the Broncos can fix in the 2024 NFL Draft.