The Denver Broncos have a lot to consider in the draft, which is just about here. All of the talk and speculation will soon be over as picks start taking place on Thursday evening in Detroit. The Broncos will pick at No. 12, but it should be clear what needs to happen at that spot.
What is the best-case scenario for the Broncos? Of course, it would be to see a player such as Brock Bowers or Rome Odunze slide down the board. If one of them were to be available, it would be tough for the team to pass on them. But short of an unlikely scenario, the Broncos need to be locked in on one thing: trading down to acquire more draft capital.
One of the most troubling things about this draft for the Broncos is the fact that the team does not currently possess a second-round pick, which stems from the trade to get Sean Payton last year. This is a loaded class and the Broncos need as many promising prospects as they can collect.
So to take any player at 12 — outside of a top prospect that slips — would not be wise. They will need to find a willing trade partner, of course.
Moving down from No. 12 might be the wisest Broncos R1 draft plan.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) April 17, 2024
But what if they can’t?
“That might be what they want to do,” Daniel Jeremiah (@movethesticks) told me today regarding a trade down from 12 “I just don't know if they'll be able to find a partner there.” pic.twitter.com/v8ojaKZ6SL
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The Broncos should trade back to the top bidder and make sure that a second-round choice is in the package. If there is an additional late-round pick involved, even better. A team such as the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 22 or the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 20 would be ideal spots to fall back to. The Broncos and Steelers have been linked to trade talks as of late.
That would give the Broncos the chance to take the best prospect on the board at that spot. A player such as Laiatu Latu would be quite enticing there. Then, they could potentially look to add the quarterback that most fans want to see them draft with the second-round pick that they would have.
This needs to be the direction this team takes in the draft. The Broncos have many holes on the roster and need to get as much out of this draft as they can. This would be a good start in that direction.
Ask yourself, if the team were to draft someone like Bo Nix at No. 12 and then not have another pick until the third round (No. 76), is that the best plan of attack? Allowing 63 players to be drafted before you get your chance to take another one seems like a really poor strategy.
Sean Payton likely has his eyes on a particular quarterback in this draft. But selling the farm to move up and get him should be advised against. Trade down, collect more picks and load up with as many prospects as possible. It sounds so simple... make it a reality.
