BLOCKBUSTER DEAL: Broncos Head Coach has Confirmed Broncos Are Making Blockbuster Trade For Quarterback

ESPN’s Matt Miller went mad with a full seven-round NFL mock draft. All 257 picks in one location, which is a lot to process. For the Denver Broncos, his plan was even more intriguing, and we’ll want to take a look at those picks and tear them apart, sorry, break them down.

He got things started with a massive transaction between the Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals for the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Projected mock trade: Denver moves up for a quarterback.

With quarterbacks going 1-2-3 to begin the draft, I could see the Broncos calling Arizona and sending a package for the No. 4 selection to land QB4. I believe it would require a pick in the 12th round, a 2025 first-rounder, and a 2026 first-rounder. The trade is similar to the one the 49ers made in 2021 to move up for Trey Lance, and it is a pricey trade package. But if Broncos coach Sean Payton lands his quarterback, no one will be concerned about the cost of moving up to get him. In contrast, the Cardinals would have several first-round picks in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

The price for moving up eight spots was a king’s ransom, with the potential to make or break a club for years. Denver would send three first-round picks in a transaction similar to what the San Francisco 49ers did in 2021, moving up from No. 12 to No. 3 with the Miami Dolphins, so the comparison is fairly close to where Denver would need to go in this trade.

To be honest, Denver will most likely need more than three first-round picks. In addition to the three first-round picks, the 49ers sent a fourth and a third. Hopefully, the Broncos will be able to save some picks, but given the desire for quarterbacks, this is quite improbable.

What if they get a franchise quarterback? Who cares? Speaking of the pick. In this scenario, Sean Payton will draft Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

4. Denver Broncos (via a mock trade with Arizona)

J.J. McCarthy, quarterback, Michigan

McCarthy is a gritty, instinctive, and accurate quarterback with above-average mobility and excellent pocket play. I’m not saying he’s Drew Brees, but the style of play would be very similar to what Payton operated in New Orleans. McCarthy has only made 28 college starts, although he finished 27-1 at Michigan. Last season, he completed 72.1% of his throws and threw only four interceptions, and his third-down QBR of 86.7 ranked 11th in the nation. McCarthy would be a safe chance to beat Jarrett Stidham and start Week 1 for Denver.

Of all the quarterback prospects, McCarthy has been the one I hope Denver somehow finds a way to draft. However, McCarthy’s draft ranking continues to rise, and he might go taken second overall. But if Denver gives up three first-round picks, I hope McCarthy is the guy they get.

McCarthy, when paired with Sean Payton, has the potential to develop into a franchise quarterback, finally lifting Denver out of its post-Manning QB rut.

76. Denver Broncos: Andru Phillips, cornerback, Kentucky
121. Denver Broncos (via MIA): Luke McCaffrey, receiver, Rice.
136. Denver Broncos (via CAR/CLE): Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame
145. Denver Broncos (via NYJ): Sedrick Van Pran, center, Georgia
147. Denver Broncos: Isaiah Davis (RB, South Dakota State)
203. Denver Broncos (via Houston/CLE): Trente Jones, guard, Michigan
207. Denver Broncos (via SF): Marcus Harris, DT, Auburn

After potentially settling their franchise quarterback problem, I believe the draft class went bad immediately. While I like the notion of adding Luke McCaffrey to the squad, I’m not enthusiastic about any of the other picks, with the exception of perhaps Isaiah Davis, whom our own Chris Hart described as an amazing Mark Ingram-type back who Payton would adore in his offense.

I’d still give it an A because I feel McCarthy is a franchise quarterback, and if you can find one in the NFL Draft, it must conclude with a flawless grade. Finding a unicorn is difficult, so celebrate when one appears.