Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
DENVER — Broncos HC Sean Payton said the team is open to trading up for a QB if they believe it could “change the landscape” of the team.
“That certainly is a possibility and then it’s how much you can palate,” Payton said Thursday at his team’s pre-draft press conference. “I would just say if it’s a player that you think can change the landscape of your organization moving forward, — like a quarterback — then you do whatever it takes to get him.”
Sean Payton to question- ‘don’t you have to draft a quarterback?’: “Do we have to draft a quarterback? You’d say it sure looks like we have to draft a quarterback." But “It has to be the right one.” If you knew top 11 picks it would be easier to answer he said. #9sports
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) April 18, 2024
This comes less than a month after Payton said it’s “realistic” to think the Broncos could trade up from the No. 12. The Broncos’ need for a franchise quarterback after the failed Russell Wilson trade can’t be overstated.
With Jarrett Stidham the only quarterback of note on the roster, Denver needs to find a solution that offers more than what Stidham has over his career. Denver holds two top 100 picks in this year’s draft and also has its 2025 first-round pick to use as a bargaining chip.
Draft fun: #Broncos HC Sean Payton said he and GM George Paton have a "haircut wager" on who gets drafted first at a certain position in the draft.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 18, 2024
“Do we have to draft a quarterback? You would say, ‘Man, it sure looks like we have to draft a quarterback.’ And yet, it has to be the right fit and the right one,” Payton said. “If we had the tip sheets as to who everyone else was taking, it would be easier to answer that question. That’s the puzzle here,” Payton added.
If they were to attempt to trade up, these picks could prove valuable in facilitating a deal to land what they hope will be their franchise quarterback. The only quarterback the Broncos have held a top-30 visit with is Michael Penix, but we know they also met with Bo Nix at the scouting combine
