The Denver Broncos will have a new contender for their starting quarterback position this month. How are they going to make that happen? Are we going to see the Broncos add someone from the outside or does Sean Payton love someone in this year's class?
Payton has continually made comments about how, realistically, only one or two quarterbacks in any given class are going to hit. Is he going to be okay with getting an option outside of the top 10 of this class? General manager George Paton has stated that he believes this QB class is "6 or 7" deep, so we'll see where the Broncos ultimately land.
But if they like the depth, then the idea of trading back from 12th overall makes a ton of sense. Could the Broncos add a 2nd-round pick and still get one of the quarterbacks they want? Let's take a look at a scenario involving a significant trade down the board.
1. 20th overall (from Steelers): Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Broncos move down eight spots with the Steelers and still manage to land Bo Nix. As of right now, it doesn't feel like there will be much of a threat from anyone else to take Nix before Denver has a chance, whether they stay put at pick #12 or move down somewhere in the 20s.
Nix just feels like one of the most realistically "available" quarterbacks to the Broncos that could actually compete to start fo the team. Is this settling? I don't see it that way. In terms of what he brings to the table, Nix gets rid of the ball quickly and his game relies on accuracy, timing, and tempo.
He's coachable, he's vastly improved from what we saw in his early years at Auburn and he could be ideal for Sean Payton's offense.
2. 51st overall (from Steelers): Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
So you just drafted a quarterback who gets rid of the ball quickly...
Malachi Corley might be the ideal second-round pick for the Denver Broncos if they can secure one. There are a lot of really strong receivers in this draft class over the course of the first two days, but Corley has the ability to take a slant or a screen and go the distance. He's not only physical after the catch, but he's explosive and elusive. He does a great job of creating offense and is heavily involved in the running game.
His physicality bleeds into every area of his game. Even after the Broncos brought in Josh Reynolds to upgrade the room, having a playmaker like this is really the one thing that seems to be missing.
3. 76th overall: Michael Hall Jr., DL, Ohio State
The Broncos were able to go out in free agency and upgrade the defensive line by signing former Saints undrafted free agent Malcolm Roach. They still need to add to the defensive line, though, because they're currently one injury away from disaster at that position.
Not to mention, they need to add more pass rushers on the interior, and someone like Michael Hall out of Ohio State could be exactly that. At 6-foot-2, 299 pounds, he posted a 4.75 in the 40-yard dash at Ohio State's pro day with an elite 1.65-second 10-yard split.
4. 121st overall: Maason Smith, DL, LSU
The connection between the Denver Broncos and former LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith is significant. Broncos defensive line coach Jamar Cain was on the staff at LSU in 2022 and was able to coach Smith all offseason. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury and wasn't able to play, but Cain knows him exceptionally well.
He's a former #1 high school recruit who has a "first off the bus" type of imposing frame. He's not only physically impressive, but has the ability to play all over the defensive front. I love the idea of the Broncos double-dipping on the defensive line to upgrade that area of the roster that has been a weakness for a couple of years now.
5. 136th overall: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
The Broncos re-signed Adam Trautman this offseason, but there are obvious concerns over whether or not Greg Dulcich can still be a viable threat in the passing game. The Broncos could go after a playmaker at tight end earlier than the 5th round, but Cade Stover out of Ohio State is intriguing.
He only had two drops the last two seasons at Ohio State, really coming into his own at the position after starting off his time at OSU as a linebacker. He caught 10 touchdowns and showed soft hands with some nice after-the-catch ability.
6. 145th overall: Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State
An underrated position the Broncos really need to address in this year's draft is running back. Both Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine are heading into contract years. Jaleel McLaughlin is a playmaker and very intriguing, but he's not an every-down back as of right now.
The Broncos might need to go after someone who could be at least the team's RB2 as soon as this coming season, and Isaiah Davis should be on everyone's radar as a possible Day 3 steal. Davis was a 1st-team FCS All-American at South Dakota State and has a physical presence at the position. He can create yardage after contact and play all three downs with really nice pass-catching abilities.
7. 147th overall: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
There might be a little bit of fan service with this kind of selection, but the Broncos could do a lot worse than this on Day 3 of the draft. Luke McCaffrey really did a great job at Rice transitioning to the wide receiver position after starting out his collegiate career at Nebraska as a quarterback.
McCaffrey is a natural. It's obviously in the blood. Maybe the Broncos could even make sure he got #87 when he got to Denver.
One way or the other, adding a player like this with his combination of speed, toughness at the catch point, and competitiveness would be outstanding for the receiver room.
8. 203rd overall: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple
Denver Broncos GM George Paton said he wanted to get more athletic at the linebacker position this offseason. We'll see how early he wants to do that, but here's hoping the Broncos wait for the later rounds to add to this particular position.
Someone like Jordan Magee could come in and play some special teams right away. He posted an elite RAS score this offseason and had some really impressive production with 166 total tackles the last two years including 23 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks.
He could be a great value pickup on Day 3 of the Draft.
9. 207th overall: Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee
I love the idea of the Broncos adding multiple quarterbacks in this class, especially if they can add a big-time athlete like Tennessee's Joe Milton who has so many unbelievable traits. At 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, Milton ran a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash and he can throw a football over the Rocky Mountains.
How could Sean Payton and his staff not be intrigued by this guy? Especially with the Broncos addressing other key areas in this mock draft, this idea could work.