The Vikings may not be the only quarterback-needy team looking to move up in the 2024 NFL Draft.
There’s a “realistic” possibility of the Broncos trading up from the No. 12 spot in next month’s draft, with head coach Sean Payton remarking Monday at the annual league meetings in Orlando, Fla., that the Cardinals are sitting pretty in slot No. 4.
“It’s good to be [Arizona general manager] Monti [Ossenfort] right now,” said Payton, who is entering his second season as Denver’s head coach.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton speaks to the media at the annual league meetings on March 25, 2024. APThe Bears will select first in the 2024 draft, followed by the Commanders and Patriots, all of whom are widely expected to pick a quarterback.
The Cardinals currently have former first-overall pick Kyler Murray under center.
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The Broncos are in the market for a signal-caller after releasing Russell Wilson this month following a two-season experiment gone wrong.
Though Denver rode out the final two games of the year with Jarrett Stidham, Payton said Monday, “I’m sure there will be other candidates that will be competing with him” for the starting role.
The Broncos released quarterback Russell Wilson after two seasons in Denver. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con“He’s definitely competing to be the starter,” Payton said of Stidham, per NFL.com. “I don’t think we have a term ‘driver’s seat’ really. But he is going to compete for that position.”
As for who those other “candidates” could be, it’s unclear who will still be on the board when the Broncos are on the clock.
Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are viewed as the premier prospects of this year’s quarterbacks class, followed by J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix.
McCarthy, fresh off a national championship at Michigan, recently had a private workout with the Broncos.
According to Sean Payton, Jarrett Stidham is “definitely competing to be the starter.” USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Michigan product J.J. McCarthy recently worked out for the Broncos. Getty ImagesPayton’s comments come days after the Vikings agreed to a stunning trade with the Texans, securing Houston’s No. 23 overall pick in this year’s draft. The Texans collected picks No. 42, No. 188 and a 2025 second-rounder for the move.
Minnesota, which lost veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Falcons in free agency, also holds pick No. 11.
It’s possible the Vikings could use a package of first-rounders to slide up the draft board and snag a quarterback.
With a month to go before the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft, Denver has plenty of time to orchestrate a blockbuster trade of its own.
