Will Denver be in market for a quarterback early in draft?
The Denver Broncos created some intrigue to begin NFL draft week by trading for 2021 No. 2 overall pick, quarterback Zach Wilson from the New York Jets.
Former #Jets starting QB and No. 2 pick Zach Wilson is on the move. Sources say he’s being traded to the #Broncos, hoping for a fresh start.
The deal includes a late-round pick swap (6th for a 7th) and NYJ will pay some of Wilson’s roughly $5.5M salary. pic.twitter.com/7Y1KShZ3sg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2024
The trade didn’t cost the Broncos much in both compensation owned to the Jets and contracts owed to Wilson. It’s a low-cost, low-risk flier on a former top prospect by Denver coach Sean Payton, who clearly thinks he has a chance to salvage the career of Wilson. who struggled mightily in New York since coming out of BYU.
There has been early reports that Wilson could challenge former Raiders’ backup Jarrett Stidham to be the Broncos’ starting quarterback in 2024 as they move away from the short and unsuccessful Russell Wilson era.
At first thought, it may be a stretch to think the acquisition of Wilson would change the Broncos draft plan. Denver, of course, owns the No. 2 pick (one pick ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders) and like the Raiders they have been considered a team that could take a quarterback early.
They could consider Bo Nix of Oregon and Michael Penix Jr. of Washington and could potentially block the Raiders from a top target.
But the Broncos do have other needs so they could wait to take a quarterback. So, perhaps this move of getting Wilson could clear a path to a quarterback for Las Vegas in three days.