The Denver Broncos are entering the 2024 NFL Draft with a sizable need at quarterback. The Broncos will consider trading up from No. 12 overall for a top quarterback prospect, according to various reports. Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and J.J. McCarthy are among the signal callers the Broncos could target. General manager George Paton would have to part with cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the 12th pick, and significant future draft capital to successfully facilitate a trade into the top five.
Denver's need at quarterback is obvious. They released Russell Wilson from his contract earlier this offseason, ending an expensive, failed experiment. The Broncos inherited the largest dead cap hit in NFL history by cutting ties with Wilson. That severely hamstrings how much they can pay a quarterback replacement over the next few seasons. Getting a rookie on a cost-controlled contract would help offset the bloated penalty.
As things stand, Jarrett Stidham is scheduled to be the starting quarterback in 2024. Stidham appeared in three contests for the Broncos this past season following Wilson's benching. Stidham is a career 59.4% completion percentage passer with eight touchdown passes across 16 appearances in four seasons. The Broncos can't seriously enter the 2024 season with him as their starter.
Trading up into the top five could mean the Broncos have to outbid other QB-needy teams. The Minnesota Vikings (No. 11) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13) sandwich the Broncos' pick. It adds a layer of intrigue to the competition, as both the Vikings and Raiders could share Denver's desire to draft a top quarterback.
Outbidding the Vikings won't be a straightforward process. Minnesota smartly positioned themselves with a second first-round pick at No. 23 overall, a selection that could help them catapult themselves into the top five of the draft order via trade. By comparison, the Broncos don't even own a second-round pick in this draft. They’re severely trailing the Vikings in potential draft capital compensation. That's where Surtain II enters the conversation.
Surtain II is arguably Denver's most tradeable asset. The 24-year-old ascending cornerback qualified for back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2022 and 2023. Surtain II was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2022 and has firmly established himself as one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the league. His presence in trade discussions could help Denver even the odds with the Vikings.
The Broncos could theoretically part with No. 12, No. 76, Surtain II, and 2025 first and third-round selections to acquire their desired draft slot. It sounds expensive, but one must take into consideration the Broncos are probably attempting to move up seven or eight draft slots from 12 to No. 4 or 5. The quarterback tax is a legitimate thing, and outbidding other potential suitors increases Denver's need to put together an aggressive offer.
Head coach Sean Payton is a brilliant offensive-minded leader who understands the need for a top quarterback. The 2024 NFL Draft features one of the most impressive quarterback classes in recent memory with four signal callers potentially filling out the opening four selections. Don't be stunned if the Broncos get aggressive next Thursday by including Surtain II in a move up the board.