The 2024 NFL Draft is a crucial one for the Denver Broncos, and for obvious reasons. The team currently doesn't have a franchise quarterback. They are picking in the first round for the first time since 2021. Head coach Sean Payton is firmly putting his stamp all over the roster and franchise as a whole.
You really just get the impression that the Broncos can't screw this one up. They are at such a pivotal juncture as a franchise right now after so many losing seasons following Super Bowl 50.
So what mistakes do Sean Payton and George Paton need to avoid in the 2024 NFL Draft? Let's look at the top three.
1. Taking a cornerback in the 1st round
Yes, the Denver Broncos have to play against Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a year. No, they don't need to invest another first-round pick at the cornerback position. In fact, I would be a little off-put if the Broncos even used their 76th overall pick (3rd round) at the cornerback position.
Why?
The reasoning is very simple. The Broncos have used premium NFL Draft real estate on cornerbacks dating back to 2020. They've got to start developing these players properly.
2020: Michael Ojemudia, 3rd round
2021: Pat Surtain II, 1st round
2022: Damarri Mathis, 4th round (115th overall)
2023: Riley Moss, 3rd round
In four consecutive drafts, the Broncos have used a top 100 pick at the cornerback position with the exception of Damarri Mathis, who barely missed the cut in 2022 and was considered a top 100 player by multiple outlets.
Especially given the investment of trading up for Riley Moss last year, taking another top-100 cornerback this year would be an indictment on the scouting department and the coaching staff. It's easy to say "You can never have too many corners" in today's NFL, which is a fair point, but that doesn't mean you can never spend too much premium NFL Draft capital on them. The Broncos need to roll with the guys they've got and pass on 1st-round corners in 2024.
2. Punting on the QB situation
One of the worst things that could happen in this year's draft is that the Denver Broncos completely punt on the quarterback situation.
There are a handful of people out there who are willing to wait it out until 2025 to see if the Broncos could snag Dak Prescott in NFL free agency. There are others who would love to see Colorado's Shedeur Sanders in a Denver Broncos uniform at the next level. But the reality is, the Broncos can't come away from the 2024 NFL Draft without at least one viable option at the quarterback position.
The logic is simple here: If the Broncos don't draft a quarterback at all in the 2024 NFL Draft, it will mean there was nobody they liked enough to go and pursue. General manager George Paton has stated that he believes this QB class is "6 or 7 deep" and that it's a good class. Does that mean the Broncos like all six or seven guys, or is Paton just saying stuff?
You never know. But the Broncos sent a signal by staying completely out of the QB market via trades and NFL free agency -- they are confident that they're getting someone they like. They have stated that Jarrett Stidham will have legitimate competition this offseason, and it's hard to see that competition coming from Ben DiNucci, with all due respect to DiNucci.
Punting on the quarterback position in this draft would send Broncos Country into a collective frenzy.
3. Drafting another off-ball linebacker high
Similar to the cornerback issue for the Denver Broncos right now is the off-ball linebacker situation. The Broncos just let Josey Jewell walk in NFL free agency and he signed with the Carolina Panthers, reuniting with old pal Ejiro Evero. The Broncos have Alex Singleton under contract as of right now and also signed veteran Cody Barton to bolster the unit in free agency.
They brought back the talented but oft-injured Jonas Griffith. They brought back Justin Strnad. And yet, general manager George Paton has stated he wants to get "more athletic" at the linebacker position.
Notice we didn't yet mention Drew Sanders, the 67th overall pick in last year's draft. There's a real chance the Broncos are moving Sanders to the EDGE position despite drafting him as an off-ball linebacker last year with one of their best picks in the draft.
The idea of moving Sanders to edge and having to move on to another "high" pick at inside linebacker is sickening. It would be an admission of failure less than a year after picking a guy. Again, just like the cornerback position, that would be a clear indictment on the scouting department and coaching staff.