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Broncos Maneuver for Heisman-Winning QB in Wild PFF Draft Prediction
The Denver Broncos are considered to be one of the most quarterback-desperate teams in the 2024 NFL draft.
With less than two weeks to go before the start of the 2024 NFL draft, the speculation about the Denver Broncos' intentions in the first round is running rampant. Second-year head coach Sean Payton currently holds the No.12 overall pick, and there’s an overwhelming sense from the fan base and national media that he intends to draft a first-round quarterback.
Pro Football Focus’s Sam Monson recently revealed what he expects to be the biggest surprises in the upcoming draft, highlighting Denver as a team to watch.
“The team that seems most desperate for a quarterback is actually the Denver Broncos. Head coach Sean Payton blew up the status quo in Denver by determining early that Russell Wilson wasn’t the answer, and the team is now eating the largest dead cap hit in NFL history to move on from him. Payton needs the next guy, and the next guy needs to be a better option than Wilson was, or else Payton will look extremely reckless," Monson wrote.
In the wake of Wilson’s release, the Broncos plan to absorb $85 million in dead-money hits on the salary cap over the next two seasons, which includes the $37.8 million guaranteed portion of his 2024 salary.
Wilson’s sudden departure from the Mile High City signaled that Payton will handpick the next signal caller for his offense. While there’s been chatter that Denver could potentially trade down, Payton’s immediate QB need has likely thrust him into a furious race against equally desperate teams like the Minnesota Vikings.
“The Broncos don’t have the ammunition that Minnesota does to maneuver in the first round, but they may have even more desire to make it happen. I wouldn’t be shocked if they find a way of trading up to No. 3 overall for the guy Payton covets," Monson wrote.
Payton’s draft history suggests that the Broncos could leapfrog a host of teams to land their QB of the future early on Day 1 of the draft. As head coach of the New Orleans Saints, Payton logged 21 total draft trades, including five trades up in the first round alone. It’s also worth noting that he has never traded back in the first round.
In Monson’s scenario, the Broncos traded No. 12, a third-round pick (No. 76), and a 2024 first-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for LSU QB Jayden Daniels. Daniels is the reigning 2023 Heisman Trophy winner whose stock has continued to soar each day the draft draws nearer. As a senior at LSU, Daniels turned in a legendary season, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns, with four interceptions, in addition to logging 1,134 rushing yards with 10 rushing scores.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound dual-threat playmaker had previously met with Payton at the NFL Scouting Combine where Daniels called the Broncos play-caller “the guru.”
“Sean Payton, obviously what he did in New Orleans—I was down the road so you could hear people still talk about those days," Daniels said at the Combine via LSU Country. "But being able to see the offensive mind that he is, the guru and just sitting there and talking football with everybody.”
I would be ecstatic if Denver could land a QB like Daniels, but to be honest, Monson is being very generous in this mock scenario with the Patriots. It’s extremely doubtful that a pair of first-round picks would be enough for Denver to jump nine total spots.
Instead, the potential blockbuster deal could see Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain added to the mix with wideout Courtland Sutton thrown in as the proverbial icing on the cake. Daniels landing in Denver would be a home run for Payton, but the Broncos will unquestionably need all of the Mile High Magic they can muster come draft night.
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