Year 2 of Russell Wilson and Year 1 of Sean Payton didn't go all too well, as the veteran quarterback ended up on the bench for the final two games and might have played his last game with the team. The Denver Broncos finished 8-9, an improvement from a year ago, but nowhere near where they want to be.
Heading into the offseason, the Broncos are currently $24 million over the salary cap, and ascending center Lloyd Cushenberry III is an unrestricted free agent projected to receive just under $15 million annually. Denver will have to shuffle things up to create space for a draft class filling out the roster, which could create even more needs come draft time.
What draft picks do the Broncos have in the 2024 NFL Draft? Who could they take with their first-round pick? Let's find out.
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What Draft Picks Do The Denver Broncos Own?
The Broncos have seven draft picks before the NFL awards 32 compensatory picks during the offseason. Denver’s first-round pick is 12th overall, and they have two fifth-round picks but no second-round picks.
Their third-round pick was traded from the Saints along with head coach Payton in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick. Denver received a fourth-round pick in the package for Bradley Chubb, and their original third-round pick was used last year to move up and take Riley Moss.
The #Broncos are likely to reach a final Russell Wilson call in the near future, well before his 2025 guarantee vests. Holding the No. 12 pick, the team is being tied to some of this draft class' second-tier QB options https://t.co/iCsmnGgela
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) February 13, 2024
In the Jacob Martin trade, the Broncos sent their fourth-round pick from this upcoming draft, but also received the Jets' fifth-round pick for this year. They also moved up by sending their seventh-round pick and Randy Gregory for the 49ers' sixth-round pick. Finally, Denver's sixth-round pick was sent to the Rams for Kenny Young and Los Angeles' 2024 seventh-round pick.
Who Could The Denver Broncos Draft In The First Round?
Following the Wilson saga to end the season, the most obvious choice for this pick is a quarterback. It doesn't seem likely that Wilson will return to Denver at all, making it seem like a good choice to find a young signal-caller for the future. If they want to select a quarterback at number 12 overall, Bo Nix and J.J. McCarthy seem like the most likely options at that spot in the draft. Both players have a lot of experience in college and figure to be ready to start from Day 1.
The Broncos can go in a lot of different directions here, however, as they could use a dominant edge rusher or cornerback to play alongside Patrick Surtain II considering Fabian Moreau is an unrestricted free agent. Jared Verse, Dallas Turner, Terrion Arnold, and Nate Wiggins seem like the best options if Denver elects to add defensive talent.
Oregon QB Bo Nix ripping the in-breaker versus zone coverage.
Really like the way he gets himself lined up to throw this on time despite the free rusher, hitting the receiver in stride to maximize the yards after catch opportunity. pic.twitter.com/DyeUfJMg4w
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) February 14, 2024
With so many question marks and needs, the Broncos' draft is one of the harder ones to predict. The quarterback decision will give more clarity on where they might go at number 12, but as of right now, anything is on the table, including a potential move up.
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