It would also leave an obvious vacancy at quarterback. They still have Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on contract. However, conjecture regarding how they will handle the situation this offseason continues to grow.
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus believes a deal for one specific player could be in order.
“I believe the market for quarterbacks in this draft will be red hot, and we’ll see that solidify after free agency,” said Sikkema on February 12.
“Teams like the Falcons, Raiders, Broncos, and Vikings will all be looking to trade up for a quarterback. Here, I have an ambitious Sean Payton moving from No. 12 to No. 2 by foregoing the same compensation deal that the 49ers provided to move Trey Lance from No. 12 to No. 3 in 2021.
Sikkema’s hypothetical trade scenario involves the Washington Commanders and the chance to draft North Carolina’s Drake Maye:
The Broncos get:
– 2024 first-round pick (number two overall)
Commanders receive:
– 2024 first-round pick (number 12 overall)
– 2025 first-round pick.
– 2025 second-round selection.
– 2026 second-round selection
This is a pricey approach to acquire a quarterback. The Broncos are already low on draft money after trading for Payton last offseason. However, this hypothetical deal removes cornerback Patrick Surtain II and any other key players from earlier incarnations.
Broncos Take North Carolina Drake Maye’s Proposed Trade
Maye had been the presumptive No. 2 quarterback on the board for the most of the pre-draft process, surpassing Caleb Williams of USC in the eyes of some evaluators.
He has also fallen behind LSU’s Jayden Daniels in other league statistics.
The 6-foot-5 Maye completed 63.3% of his passes for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. It was a step back from his performance in 2022, when he completed 66.2% of his throws for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
If the Broncos move up to choose Maye as in this scenario, he is expected to sign a four-year, $36.8 million contract as the No. 2 overall pick, according to Spotrac.
That works out to almost $9.2 million per year, which is significant for the Broncos, who are now overcapitalized.
Given the Broncos’ current predicament, trading up for a quarterback makes sense. However, the target might not. Not in light of Payton’s statements before the Super Bowl, in which he hinted that he was still looking for his guy under centre.
Sean Payton’s comments loom large.
“We start drafting meetings Monday,” Payton remarked on “Up & Adams” on February 9. “So everything you’ve heard and read about us—we’re going to trade up and down—I can’t tell you the jersey numbers of these rookie quarterbacks. “We haven’t seen them yet.”
The validity of such words has come into question.
Payton has lauded Williams in the past. However, this could call into question the validity of the hypothetical trade transaction.
Would Payton, or General Manager George Paton, agree to such a costly trade for a quarterback he may not like? With Williams the only one receiving that level of respect from the head coach, a new path may emerge in the end.
Equally crucial, would Washington pass on their future quarterback?
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