The Denver Broncos acquired former first-round pick quarterback Zach Wilson in a trade with the New York Jets. The terms saw the two teams agree to a late-round pick swap and the Jets will pay a portion of Wilson's salary, according to Ian Rapoport. Wilson gives the Broncos another option at quarterback, but his presence shouldn't alter their plans to potentially select a franchise signal-caller in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Broncos general manager George Paton is entering Thursday's draft with the 12th overall selection. Reports have indicated that the Broncos will consider trading up for a top quarterback prospect, perhaps one of Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, or Jayden Daniels.
The Broncos now enter the draft with two veteran quarterbacks on their roster, Wilson and Jarrett Stidham. Stidham is a career 59.4% completion percentage passer with eight touchdown passes across 16 appearances in four seasons. If a training camp battle were to take place between Wilson and Stidham, I'd back Wilson, a former No. 2 overall selection, to claim victory.
Wilson failed to meet expectations with the Jets. The former BYU standout never looked like the franchise quarterback he was drafted to be. Wilson received one final unexpected opportunity to positively alter his future in 2023 after Aaron Rodgers, his replacement, suffered a season-ending injury moments into Week 1. There was no redemption arc.
Wilson played in 12 games, starting 11, and threw just eight touchdowns versus seven interceptions. He was momentarily relegated to No. 3 duties behind Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian, a demotion that represented a new low, before reclaiming the starting gig. Wilson's tenure was clearly over in East Rutherford and Jets general manager Joe Douglas did all he could to rid himself of Wilson's distraction.
If anybody could rehabilitate Wilson's career, it would be a brilliant offensive-minded coach like Sean Payton. In his later years in New Orleans, Payton made the likes of Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Teddy Bridgewater look like usable quarterbacks in spurts. He may attempt to do the same with Wilson.
There are doubts regarding the Broncos' ability to make an aggressive trade into the top five for an elite quarterback prospect. After No. 12, they aren't scheduled to pick again until 76. Trading up for a franchise quarterback means having to potentially outbid other QB-needy organizations, in this case, such as the Minnesota Vikings (No. 11) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13). The Vikings and Raiders appear better equipped than the Broncos, with the Vikings owning two first-round selections and the Raiders having three top-77 selections.
Alternatively, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. have been mocked to the Broncos as first-round picks at No. 12. If five or six quarterbacks are drafted in the first round, it'll be Nix and/or Penix Jr. joining the consensus top four. From a pure talent perspective, most would view drafting Nix or Penix Jr. at 12 as a reach. Perhaps the Broncos can trade down into the 20s, acquire additional capital, and still draft Penix Jr. or Nix, if that's the route they want to take. Wilson wouldn’t stop them.
Acquiring Wilson via trade gives the Broncos an alternative choice under center. They're still entering the 2024 NFL Draft with a massive need at quarterback. Denver's options remain wide open.