The Denver Broncos don't necessarily have to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. This mock draft has them taking one in round two. I do think momentum is building for the Broncos to draft a QB in the first round. However, depending on how the top of the draft board falls, the Broncos actually might be in a better position to take a QB in the second or even third round.
It might not be an ideal scenario, but if this does happen, trading down for more draft capital and still landing a viable QB prospect could end up working out better for the long term. Is there a realistic scenario where the Broncos can land a franchise QB without drafting him in the first round?
41st Overall Pick (via NYG and GB): Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington
I traded down twice from the 12th overall pick and landed Michael Penix Jr at the top of the second round, which seems like just about where he gets drafted. Penix is a left-handed thrower and has insane deep-ball accuracy and pocket presence. He does have desirable qualities that could translate into the NFL and into Sean Payton's offense. While Penix isn't the prospect that JJ McCarthy is, getting him in the second round would be a solid draft pick for Sean Payton.
47th Overall Pick (via NYG): Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
The 47th overall pick also comes from the New York Giants, and with that pick, the Broncos draft the best pass-catching tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft in Ja'Tavion Sanders out of Texas. Sanders is probably going somewhere in the middle of the second round, as he is clearly the TE2 behind Brock Bowers, and the Broncos hope that he can bring some legitimate receiving production to this unit.
Greg Dulcich has been a total dud of a draft pick, and Adam Trautman is just a guy. Sanders could add a much-needed wrinkle into the Broncos offense and would also give Michael Penix Jr a nice security blanket on offense to use.
70th Overall Pick (via NYG): Michael Hall Jr, DT, Ohio State
Another pick from the New York Giants! With this one, the Broncos focus on the trenches more with Michael Hall Jr from Ohio State. Here is a blurb on Hall from ian Cummings:
"At 6'2", 295 pounds, Hall is an energized wrecking ball on the interior with phenomenal burst, agility, proportional length, closing speed, and torquing power capacity, and he's flashed the ability to win quickly with violent swims and clubs. "Ian Cummings
He is a bit undersized, but does seem to possess the explosiveness that the Broncos are desperately needing along the defensive interior. I'd expect the team cuts defensive tackle DJ Jones, as he was not good in 2023 and could bring the Broncos nearly $10 million in cap savings.
144th Overall Pick - Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
The Denver Broncos have not drafted a tackle in the NFL Draft since Garett Bolles went in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The team needs to bring in a developmental tackle at the very least, and Matt Goncalves from Pitt is going to be the choice here. With the Broncos picking this late in the NFL Draft, they'll likely just hope that these picks can stick on the roster as depth players.
146th Overall Pick: Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Penn State
The Broncos also need some cornerback help. Damarri Mathis was quite poor in year two, and it's clear that the Broncos were hoping for a bigger jump from Mathis after his encouraging rookie season. The Broncos can sign a CB2 in free agency this offseason, but they can also bolster this unit in the NFL Draft as well.
209th Overall Pick: Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State
There is a huge need for the Denver Broncos off the EDGE, but with them trading down and taking two offensive players with their first two picks, the team won't draft a pass rusher until their last pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. There are some interesting players in free agency that could bring some production in the pass rush department if the Broncos were looking for some immediate production there.
2025 GB 2nd
2025 NYG 2nd
Trading down twice was also able to net the Denver Broncos two second-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Green Bay Packers feel like a breakout team to me in 2025, so that pick could be lower in the second round, but the New York Giants are a disaster, so Denver could potentially be picking higher in the second round since they own the Giants' pick.