The Denver Broncos desperately need to address the quarterback position, but they are not scheduled to pick until 12th overall in the first round of the NFL draft. That has led to much speculation that the Broncos could trade up for a quarterback next month.
During a segment on “Dan Patrick Show” last week, Patrick hinted that he could see Denver moving up to select Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
“Sean Payton’s the one that I would keep an eye on,” Patrick said on March 26. “I know Minnesota is expected to go up, and maybe they get Drake Maye, but I’ve felt all along Sean Payton wants J.J. McCarthy. Well, he’s not going to fall to them at [No. 12] — you’re going to have to go get him.”
Patrick’s hunch that Payton is targeting McCarthy echoes what KFAN’s Paul Allen reported last month (Allen indicated Payton is “quite enamored” with McCarthy).
"Sean Payton's the one I'd keep an eye on… I've felt all along Sean Payton wants JJ McCarthy and he's not going to fall to them at 13, you're going to have to go get him. What are you going to pay to go get him?"
-DP thinks Sean Payton will make a move for a QB at the Draft pic.twitter.com/CsdoEYv4pa
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 26, 2024
The Broncos met with McCarthy at the NFL combine, attended his pro day and had a private workout with the QB prospect. Meanwhile, Payton has said trading up is a “realistic” option for Denver in the draft.
Jeff Duncan, who closely covered Payton for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, responded to Patrick’s prediction by tweeting “Dan knows…” That caption was accompanied by an on-target bullseye emoji.
Duncan also tweeted this last week: “If Sean Payton falls in love with a QB, he will go get him. Or die trying. Trust that.”
So Patrick, Duncan and Allen seem to be in agreement that the Broncos are a team to watch as the draft draws closer. It’s possible that this buzz is an elaborate smokescreen from Denver, but if the rumblings are accurate, the Broncos might be preparing to move up for a QB in April’s draft.
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