The Denver Broncos have been stuck circling the drain for years, but that does not mean things have to stay the same. Can they "win" the 2024 NFL Draft? Well, we might not know until years down the line until the draftees get into their careers, but there are a few ways the Broncos can win the 2024 NFL Draft. With just one pick in the top 75 and no second-round pick, Denver may have to get creative.
But heck, that doesn't mean they won't have a strong draft and doesn't mean they cannot fill their needs, right? I am choosing to be optimistic until the team gives me a reason to be a pessimist. Here are three ways the Broncos can win the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Broncos get "their guy" at QB without giving up too much
Frankly, I could not care less who Sean Payton deems as his guy at the QB position. Obviously, Caleb Williams is out of the picture, but realistically, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr could all be very high on Payton's board of QB prospects. If it's JJ McCarthy, great! If it's Drake Maye, awesome!
I think one way the Broncos can win the 2024 NFL Draft is if they are able to draft their guy and don't have to give up too much to get him. Denver might be in a situation where they trade up during the 2024 NFL Draft to get the QB they want, and that would force them to potentially give up both draft picks and players to do that.
Ideally, perhaps by a stroke of luck, that doesn't happen and Denver may be able to stay put at 12 or even trade down and can still land their ideal prospect.
2. Denver Broncos find a way to pick in the second round
A lot of Broncos fans are probably, and rightfully scarred a bit with the amount of draft picks that the team has given up in past seasons, obviously mostly for Russell Wilson and Sean Payton. Three first-round picks and three second-round picks, if I'm not mistaken, where the highest picks given up for the two.
Right now, Denver does have their first-round pick in 2024 and will have their first and second-round picks in 2025. However, they do not have a second-round pick in 2024, which is just brutal. In most drafts, teams can get some amazing value in the second round, as many players who go in the first round aren't truly first-round prospects, but more so get selected as teams aim to fill their needs.
Or, there just might not be 32 first-round prospects. Anyway, the Denver Broncos best chance at getting into the second-round in 2024 is by trading down, and it could happen. The Philadelphia Eagles have picks 22, 50, and 53. Well, could the Broncos realistically ask for picks 22 and 53 to move down with Philly?
If they are willing to move up, likely for a top CB, it could happen. This would leave Denver with picks 22, 53, and 76, having picks in the first three rounds, and the Eagles themselves would still have a second-round pick. That's just one example, but there surely are others.
Getting into the second round would be a huge win.
3. Deliberately filling roster needs
I am in the camp that teams should look to fill their most urgent needs first before taking the best player available mindset. The two most important units on a winning football team are the franchise QB and the defensive front. A capable QB and being able to consistently get to the QB are the two qualities of Super Bowl teams.
It's not a coincidence or mystery how good teams are built. The Denver Broncos do not have a franchise QB and do not have a consistent defensive front. In my view, those are the two positions Denver needs to attack early. They also have more long-term needs at wide receiver and tight end as well.
If the Denver Broncos come out of the 2024 NFL Draft having deliberately filled their roster holes, I would be ecstatic and would consider that to be a huge win. Some people differ with this mindset and think teams should always target the best player available, but I only believe that when teams have their most crucial positions settled.
To me, if you're the Broncos, you cannot operate taking the best player available. It's the wrong mindset to have since you don't have your franchise quarterback or a consistent pass rush. Being more intentional with draft picks is I believe how the Denver Broncos can "win" the 2024 NFL Draft.