With the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning in 2016, the Denver Broncos have started 13 quarterbacks. In an attempt to put an end to their dysfunction, they might gamble greatly in the NFL Draft.
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus projected in his most recent mock draft that the Broncos will trade two first-round selections and four draft picks to the Washington Commanders in order to get the second overall pick and choose quarterback Drake Maye of North Carolina.
“I believe the market for quarterbacks in this draft will be red hot, and we’ll see that solidify after free agency,” Sikkema stated. “Here, I have an aggressive [head coach] Sean Payton moving from No. 12 to No. 2 by giving up the same compensation package the 49ers offered to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 for Trey Lance in 2021.”
Among the class’s top prospects is Maye. He was recently ranked as the second-best quarterback by ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid, who compared him to Los Angeles Chargers standout Justin Herbert.
Nevertheless, Denver should be aware that releasing draft capital limits a team’s capacity to accumulate talent, particularly in light of the Russell Wilson trade. Young quarterbacks rarely carry a club; in order to develop and succeed, they require a solid supporting cast.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Denver is willing to allow Wilson to rework his contract. It’s difficult to picture him wearing a Broncos uniform the following season, though, after being benched for the final two games of the year.
In place of Wilson, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham completed 60.6 percent of his passes for two touchdowns and one interception, going 1-1.
To break through its eight-year playoff drought, Denver needs to identify a franchise cornerstone, but it shouldn’t take any action that might worsen its current bad luck.
The Broncos could contract a veteran quarterback to give him time to improve and choose a quarterback with the 12th pick—such as Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy—instead of dealing four draft picks. Denver may find Baker Mayfield to be a good target when he becomes a free agent in March.
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