The Denver Broncos might have to make a tough call and consider trading cornerback Patrick Surtain II to find a franchise quarterback.
Denver will probably move on from Russell Wilson — whose 2025 salary ($37M) becomes guaranteed in March — and replace him in the draft.
The Broncos have the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but all the top QBs could be off the board at this point.
To move up in the draft, Denver might need to offer a massive package that includes Surtain II. Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette suggested the team is unsure if it’s willing to do that. Trading Surtain II would carry risk. The 23-year-old is a budding star who’s earned two Pro Bowl nods in three seasons.
PATRICK SURTAIN II PICK-6! @PatSurtainll
📺: #DENvsMIN on @NFLNetwork (or check local listings)
📱: https://t.co/3NquKzXV50 pic.twitter.com/YWIJDXFwOZ— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2021
The Broncos could roll with Jarrett Stidham as a stopgap and take a developmental QB later in the draft. ESPN’s Jeff Legwold predicted they’ll select Tulane’s Michael Pratt with the 76th overall pick. He tossed the most passing TDs (90) in school history in four seasons with the Green Wave.
MICHAEL. PRATT.#AmericanFB x @GreenWaveFB pic.twitter.com/MUOorjVlAt
— The American (@American_Conf) October 21, 2023
ESPN’s Jordan Reid told Tomasson there’s a “consensus top-three QBs in this year’s class” (USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels).
Outside of these prospects, it’s unclear who stands out as a potential franchise cornerstone.
The Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since Hall of Famer Peyton Manning retired in 2016 and have had 13 starting QBs since. While Surtain II is an excellent player, Denver will mire in mediocrity until it finds an answer at the most important position.
If Denver lets go of Surtain II and moves up in the draft, the Chicago Bears could be a potential trade partner. They have the No. 1 pick but could stick with QB Justin Fields.
In this scenario, the Broncos would probably take Williams. Head coach Sean Payton called him “a generational player” during an appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” in November 2022.
