The Denver Broncos could be considering a huge move for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Sports Illustrated reported this weekend that the Broncos have made a preliminary outreach to the Cincinnati Bengals to inquire about the cost of moving up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Bengals are in line to snag quarterback Joe Burrow , one of the most highly regarded prospects in recent years. He is seen as a very strong candidate to become a franchise quarterback.
Moving to No. 1 would be a significant jump for the Broncos, who currently hold the No. 15 overall pick in the first round as well as one second round and three third round picks. Moving up to the top overall pick would likely cost the team significantly, as recent drafts would indicate. When the Philadelphia Eagles moved from No. 8 to No. 2 ahead of the 2016 draft in order to snag quarterback Carson Wentz, it cost the team their first, third, and fourth round selections for that draft and the first and second round picks in 2018.
It’s not clear if the Broncos are seriously considering moving up, or just doing their due diligence to see if they could obtain a top quarterback. The Broncos appear ready to build around Drew Lock, who took over the starting quarterback job in the final stretch of last season and led the team to a 4-1 record. Lock set a number of team rookie records, and Sports Illustrated noted that the Broncos would likely hang on to their draft picks and continue addressing other needs.
“Considering the strengths and weaknesses of the Broncos’ roster, it’s hard to believe Elway would be willing to trade away valuable draft picks to guarantee landing any non-QB prospect in this class,” the report noted. “Ohio State’s edge rusher Chase Young is widely viewed as the top non-QB prospect in the class, but the Broncos are set at the position for the foreseeable future with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.”
If Denver does intend to move up to the top of the draft, they could have some major competition. Radio host Dan Sileo tweeted that the Bengals have been listening to offers from at least five teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There is also no indication that the Bengals have any intention of trading the pick. With an aging Andy Dalton under contract for one more year and a disappointing season for rookie Ryan Finley, Cincinnati has an eye on the future and would be unlikely to pass up Burrow.