FanPost

Opportunity decisions in 2023's draft to trade up(?)

Due to concerns of certain guys likely finding themselves playing what could be their final time in Denver, what's on tap that the draft could be worth beckoning on in terms of trading up?

I'm just not quite 100 percent sold on SP getting Denver fully back on track. The good portion of Denver fans thought that by getting an OC as HC, they would turn it around immediately after watching DC Vic Fangio gone. And look at what that got them. Nowhere.

I'm sure the first thing the fans probably would like to see is getting to a winning record to start, but it begs on questions surrounding optimism if Russ will be able to come back from two of his worst seasons as a QB.

I know it's unlikely Denver won't get a 1st round pick worth trading up for, but what about potential options for 2nd round grabs (If that was a possibility), assuming they wanted to help improve the biggest fixes among positions there? Let's go through the list of options on offense...starting with...

QB:

I don't really see that many probable open QBs available in the 2nd round when Richardson, Young, Levis and Stroud will be likely taken in the 1st round. Maybe 3rd or later perhaps?

RB/FB:

This is a coin toss, but again...like at quarterback, I don't know if I see a running back as a good viable option in the 2nd. Zach Charbonnet's probably a good guess, Jahmyr Gibbs, maybe...but what does Denver do with Mike Boone, Marlon Mack and Latavius Murray? Chase Edmonds I believe is still under contract, but...does Denver resign any of the three RBs before they hit FA? Do they draft a RB? I just don't know if anybody would prefer trading up for a RB in the 2nd.

WR:

I get the sense Zay Flowers, Quentin Johnston, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jordan Addison will be taken in the 1st round. As far as 2nd round options go, these guys make sense; Josh Downs, Nathaniel Dell and Parker Washington. I dunno if trading up for a WR is a wise choice, but because of concerns with Hamler's inability to stay healthy, this would make sense. Downs, Dell and Washington could be significantly great upgrades over K.J., at least based on how I would look at it.

TE:

This is one I feel very sure could be a fix. It's down to either Dalton Kincaid or Darnell Washington. Dalton's more of a "serviceable" type TE while Darnell's more of a blocker, given his size at 6'7". The common trend noticeable from Denver's TEs in the past, not many of them were capable blockers. From Eric Saubert, Eric Tomlinson, Albert Okwuegbunam, Noah Fant, Jake Butt, Austin Fort, Troy Fumagalli, Nick Vannett, Jeff Heuerman...you get the idea. Darnell could give Denver the "Yang" to Dulcich's "Yin". Even though Washington's numbers aren't that great on paper, think of how good Denver's offensive front would be with what would be almost the equivalent of a 6th offensive lineman in Darnell Washington. This would be a significantly great upgrade over Albert O for sure if Denver were to consider this move.

iOL:

The interior offensive line is a big must for Denver. For two reasons, Compton and Risner are bound FAs, and the other is the lack of depth. Also lies the concerns of Lloyd Cushenberry, who hasn't made the fans happy at all. John Michael Schmitz is probably the only best option at center in the bunch, but that position in particular is the weakest in the draft. Guard is pretty scarce. Unfortunately, after O'Cyrus Torrence, there's none as good options in the 2nd round. Maybe suitable in the 3rd or later round.

OT:

The right tackle position remains a huge concern. Even when Manning was with Denver, that particular position continues to be an eyesore that fails to be addressed time and again for the Broncos. As far as trading up goes, it's a gamble. The only guys I see as options trading up are Darnell Wright and Cody Mauch. I don't believe it's worth it unless one can be found in the 3rd or mid-round.

With that out of the way, let's go defense. Starting with:

EDGE:

I saw some options as possible on that position. Andre Carter II is a wildcard. If that particular position will be heavy with Edge guys taken in the first round, I'd be skeptical of Andre's chances of lasting until the 2nd round. Outside of the 6'7" Andre, there are other options like Will McDonald IV, Mike Norris, Keion White, Tuli Tuipulotu, Isaiah McGuire and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. If you're concerned about this particular position, Norris and Carter make sense if you're looking for a big, beefy, attacker in that front 7.

DI:

Three guys worth the conversation include; Siaki Ika, Mazi Smith, and Calijah Kancey. Smith and Ika would be very good upgrades over Shelby Harris, size-wise. Assuming Denver stays where they are, the only good options I can see happening are Moro Ojomo, Keaanu Benton and Jer'Zhan Newton.

ILB:

Because I can see the Edge position likely the most popular position taken in the first two rounds, inside linebacker probably will be an open conversation in the 2nd. Among some choices include Trenton Simpson, Drew Sanders, and (maybe) Jack Campbell. Denver could consider this as an option in the 3rd round, with guys like Daiyan Henley, DeMarvion Overshown, and Noah Sewell as solid choices.

S:

Safety isn't quite a big position of concern outside of Kareem Jackson due to his age. I don't know if this position is the strongest to trade up for. Antonio Johnson, Jammie Robinson, JL Skinner, and Sydney Brown are the best options in the 2nd, potentially. Maybe Denver should wait until a later round for that.

CB:

Cornerback is a wildcard. Denver has strong candidates in Patrick Surtain II, K'Waun Williams and (possibly) Damarri Mathis in the fold. The acquisitions they picked up in McMillan and Jackson during the season beg the question...is that position too crowded? Looks like Eli Ricks, Kelee Ringo, Emmanuel Forbes and Garrett Williams are possible 2nd round options. For me, I don't know if Denver should look into this position trading up.

And, can't forget ST:

P/K: Don't bother. There's viable options in the late rounds/UDFA.

I kind of want to see what one thinks of the potential options at hand if Denver considered trading up from the 3rd to the 2nd round for one of those options (I don't think a 1st is likely unless you traded away one of Denver's valuable pieces like Sutton or Jeudy).

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR.