Reporter hints Broncos will trade down in NFL Draft

The Denver Broncos may lean toward trading down in the 2024 NFL Draft to acquire more picks and revamp their weak roster.

"This is a team that hasn't made a first-round pick since the 2021 draft and therefore has a shallow depth chart," wrote ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "The Broncos also lack the capital to make a move up to have a chance at one of the top three quarterbacks — at least without surrendering even more first-round picks or their most talented player in cornerback Pat Surtain II. So a move down is more likely at this point."

Last season, the Broncos — who have the 12th overall pick — finished 19th in the league in points scored (21 PPG) and 27th in points allowed (24.3). Trading down to solve issues on both sides of the ball makes sense.

Denver fans may want the Broncos to stand pat and take a quarterback, perhaps Oregon's Bo Nix or Washington's Michael Penix Jr. 

Presumed starting QB Jarrett Stidham went 1-1 in two starts with the Broncos last season, completing a below-average 60.6 percent of his passes for two touchdowns and one pick.
 
Even if Denver trades down, it could still address its biggest need. In his latest mock draft, The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner has the Los Angeles Rams trading the 19th overall pick to the Broncos, where they select Oregon's Bo Nix. (Denver also obtains a second-rounder in the proposed trade.)

"The [head coach] Sean Payton plan will go nowhere without [a QB]," wrote Baumgardner. "And though this might be too high for Nix, I'm still sending him to Payton. Denver trades down, gets a QB and acquires extra capital — tough to beat that."

Nix, 24, completed an NCAA-record 77.45 percent of his passes in 14 games in 2023. Payton's offense thrives with a precise passer (e.g., former Saints QB Drew Brees). 

The 2023 third-team All-American QB and Super Bowl champion head coach could be a good marriage.