3 QBs the Broncos should trade for if teams give up on them

The Denver Broncos aren't exactly in "need" of another quarterback, but they're also not in a position to scoff at a bargain if one becomes available. When Sean Payton was hired by the Broncos, the idea of developing a young quarterback or two immediately became more appealing. Payton has a history of wildly successful offenses and he also has a history of maximizing the abilities of the quarterbacks he's worked with.

Even if his time spent with players like Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, and Taysom Hill was rather short, I think it's abundantly clear that Payton's methods and systems set quarterbacks up for success. Therefore, if a young QB becomes available in a trade, the Denver Broncos should be trying to "buy low" if at all possible.

It turns out there could actually end up being a few young quarterbacks on the market in 2023 and if that's the case, the Denver Broncos would be wise to try and acquire them.

3 quarterbacks the Denver Broncos should trade for if the price is right

3. Matt Corral, Carolina Panthers

When Matt Corral was at his best at Ole Miss, there were some people who felt like he was the best quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury at the end of the 2021 season and fell into the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft (like many of his peers in that class).

The Carolina Panthers traded up to select Corral in that draft, not a terrible idea when you consider the fact that QBs are currency in the NFL and they lacked a long-term answer at the time. With that being said, it sounds like Corral could be getting an extended audition for other teams this preseason as the Panthers are moving forward with Bryce Young and Andy Dalton atop their QB depth chart.

Does that mean Matt Corral is undoubtedly getting traded? Absolutely not, but the Panthers might part with him if the price is right and they might simply be hoping he can have a great preseason in order to recoup that third-round value or close to it.

Corral has intriguing arm talent, he's got athleticism, and NFL.com's Lance Zierlein projected him as a fringe first-round pick coming out. Trading for him now, getting three years on a rookie contract for a player with upside? That could be worth looking into if you're a team like the Broncos.

"Small quarterback with a big heart who has learned to play with better maturity and control without losing his edge. Corral played in a quarterback-friendly scheme with well-defined reads, so he needs to prove he can work through full-field progressions and make good decisions with the ball. He's decisive, operating with a quick-trigger release to challenge tight windows and possesses the touch to make challenging bucket throws. He's a fiercely competitive runner but needs to get his slide game up as he's not built to take the pounding from called runs or scrambles. Corral is mobile, but his poise and accuracy wane when forced to move. Discipline has benefitted Corral and he's clearly at his best when operating on-schedule and in rhythm. A spread-based scheme and a player-friendly head coach gives Corral the best opportunity to live up to his potential and challenge to become the best QB from this draft class."

Lance Zierlein (NFL.com)

2. Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers

The Denver Broncos might have had a shot at Trey Lance in the 2021 NFL Draft if they didn't get leap-frogged by the San Francisco 49ers, who coveted Lance more than any other NFL team. The Broncos apparently liked Lance and his upside as well, but he went third overall and the Broncos stayed up at no. 9, selecting Pat Surtain II.

As we prepare for the 2023 NFL season, it feels like Lance's standing with the 49ers is unstable at best. The 49ers appear to be moving forward with Brock Purdy as their primary starting quarterback and they added Sam Darnold in free agency, another player I was hoping the Broncos would go after.

Although any smart offensive coach could carve out a role for Lance, I think Sean Payton has proven with the way he utilized Taysom Hill in New Orleans that he might be uniquely qualified to maximize Trey Lance's running abilities while he continues to develop as a quarterback.

The Broncos are obviously moving forward with Russell Wilson as their QB1 and Jarrett Stidham as the QB2. The QB3 could still have a role in the offense as evidenced by Hill in his years with the Saints and Lance could do something very similar (if not better) for the Denver Broncos. The primary objective here is adding a QB with upside, not trying to find the next Taysom Hill, but if you can get an explosive playmaker on top of a developmental QB?

I think that's an added bonus.

The 49ers would undoubtedly be looking to receive the best possible return in exchange for Trey Lance but I think at this point, they will understand that they also have to be realistic. Lance is entering his third NFL season. By this time next year, the 49ers will have had to have made a decision on whether or not they're going to pick up his 5th-year option.

Also by this time next year, if Lance doesn't get any sort of opportunity to play somewhere, his value might be shot. Now is the time for the 49ers to at least maximize their value and they do have Brandon Allen as another option on the roster so they can ultimately keep three.

I view Trey Lance in Denver as an ideal landing spot and I think if the 49ers were going to trade him, they would see the Broncos as ideal for a couple of reasons. First of all, you're putting Lance into a situation where he gets to learn from Sean Payton. Second, you're trading him out of the conference completely.

I don't know if there is a trade I would rather see the Broncos make than this, especially if it costs less than a second-round pick. It's a shot worth taking at the game's most valuable position.

3. Malik Willis, Tennessee Titans

Out of all the players on this list, Malik Willis of the Tennessee Titans may be the most likely to be traded before the 2023 season.

The Titans somewhat surprisingly kept Ryan Tannehill. Instead of rebuilding, it looks like they are going to go down with the ship. They not only kept Tannehill, but they also kept Derrick Henry amidst some trade rumors and recently signed free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Good for the Titans, I guess.

At any rate, the team also drafted Will Levis in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Levis has tremendous talent and could be in line to replace Malik Willis as the Titans' QB2 and potentially QB of the future as well.

Willis was not overly impressive last year in the chances the Titans gave him. By the end of the season, they were turning to Joshua Dobbs to help get them into the playoffs with the division on the line. That's obviously a bad look for Willis but there's certainly some talent there and with his athleticism, there's also potentially a role available for him in Denver under Sean Payton.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com pegged Willis as a first-round prospect and compared him to a combination of Jay Cutler with his arm and Jalen Hurts with his legs. That's a pretty lofty comparison. But if that upside exists, it's worth getting Willis in the building to find out what he's got.

The Broncos don't necessarily "need" to make a move like this, but the price might be right this offseason and I think Sean Payton would be wise to get at least one more QB with upside in the building that he might like beyond just this year. Every guy on this list is under contract for at least two more seasons. Every guy on this list presents a level of dual-threat ability. Every player on this list was considered a potential first-round player at one point.

It would be worth grabbing another player with some upside and throwing that player into the mix for this year and beyond.