Jarrett Stidham is at present in place to function the Broncos’ 2024 starting quarterback, however the group is one in every of many value monitoring with respect to a transfer up the board. When talking on the annual league conferences, head coach Sean Payton confirmed Denver is open to buying and selling up from the No. 12 spot.
“It’s practical,” Payton stated of a trade-up transfer on the a part of the Broncos (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post). “What’s arduous to foretell, although, is what’s on the receiving finish. It’s good to be [general manager] Monti Ossenfort as we speak at Arizona. It’s arduous to foretell what that value is and but I actually wouldn’t say it’s unrealistic. We’ll pay shut consideration to it.”
Ossenfort made it clear final week the Cardinals are open to trading out of the fourth slot; Chargers GM Joe Hortiz has likewise stated the No. 5 choose could also be available for the suitable worth. The Broncos will due to this fact have potential commerce companions if they’re prepared to pay a steep worth to maneuver into vary for one of many high passers on this 12 months’s class. With just one different choose inside the highest 120, nevertheless, Denver doesn’t have as a lot capital accessible as groups just like the Vikings (who now personal two first-rounders).
Payton (who was not in attendance for Michigan’s Professional Day) additionally stated on Monday the Broncos hosted quarterback J.J. McCarthy for a personal exercise in the future later. That allowed Denver’s decision-makers to get an in depth have a look at the 2023 nationwide champion, who has after all acquired curiosity from different groups not too long ago (and has beforehand been on Denver’s radar). McCarthy has lengthy been seen as a member of the second tier of QB prospects (behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye), however he has more and more been linked to a top-10 choice, doubtless by a group shifting up the board to draft him.
Set to hold $85M in lifeless cap fees owing to the Russell Wilson launch, the Broncos want an economical quarterback depth chart within the close to future. Stidham is on the books for one 12 months at a $7M cap determine, however a long-term funding on the place would come as no shock. Contemplating Payton’s remarks, Denver will stay one of many extra intriguing groups to observe over the approaching weeks as extra readability emerges on the worth of the fourth and fifth alternatives and the market which develops amongst groups ready to maneuver up the order.
