2024 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos Make Massive Trade Up for Top QB
There are two kinds of teams in the NFL: Those that have a franchise quarterback, and those who are desperately trying to find one.
The Denver Broncos thought they had found theirs when they traded a king's ransom for Russell Wilson, and handed him a massive contract extension. But after two years of failed expectations, it looks like they'll be moving on from Wilson this offseason, and looking for a replacement.
There aren't likely to be many attractive options in free agency, which could lead a team like the Broncos to make a bold move up the board in the 2024 NFL Draft to land one of this year's elite prospects at the position.
That's what happens in the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from Trevor Sikkema at Pro Football Focus, which has the Broncos making a massive trade to secure their new franchise passer.
Denver jumps up from their current No. 12 slot in the first round all the way to the No. 2 pick, sending a huge haul to the Washington Commanders in return for the opportunity to select North Carolina's Drake Maye. In addition to the No. 12 pick, Washington gets Denver's second-round pick in 2024 in the deal, as well as their first-round picks in each of the next two drafts in Sikkema's projected trade.
Maye would certainly be a strong fit in Sean Payton's offense, and that's a realistic depiction of what it might cost to make such a huge jump up the draft board, especially for an elite quarterback prospect.
Washington's not done wheeling and dealing in this mock, though, as they move back up from the No. 12 spot to No. 10, swapping with the New York Jets and landing their own rookie quarterback in Michigan's J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy joins Maye, USC's Caleb Williams (No. 1, Chicago Bears), and LSU's Jayden Daniels (No. 3, New England Patriots) as top-10 quarterbacks in this mock.
A fifth quarterback cracks the first round in this projection, as Sikkema has the Minnesota Vikings trading back into the first round to land Oregon's Bo Nix at the No. 30 pick.
To check out the full two-round mock draft at Pro Football Focus, click here.
