Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat reporter: OK gents, the day we’ve been waiting for is almost upon us. Denver holds the No. 12 pick in the first round of the draft, which begins Thursday night. We’ve covered so many different possibilities, iterations and scenarios. Denver on Monday traded for quarterback Zach Wilson. The team’s added depth at modest cost across the board in free agency since mid-March. And yet nothing seems to be off the table in terms of the first round. So, with that, here’s the roundtable question this week: Trade up, trade down or stick at No. 12? This isn’t a projection of what Denver will do, but rather what should they do? My answer’s the same as it’s been for weeks. Trade down from No. 12 if there’s a partner willing to give you fair value. The only exception is if your quarterback is still available at No. 6 or later. But A) that seems unlikely and B) the Broncos don’t just need picks. They need difference-making players. And finding a way to get one in the 20s while also generating a second-rounder via trade back is a way to get more shots at guys who can help set the foundation for years to come. If it’s not your Plan A at quarterback, turn No. 12 into multiple Day 1-2 picks and start to fill the cupboard.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: The Broncos must exhaust all options in their attempt to move up into the top six. They need a franchise quarterback, and the only plan they have not tried since Peyton Manning retired is a top-10 pick. Don’t tell me about Zach Wilson as the last move. He’s a low-cost flier. They could bring in the ghost of Marc Wilson and Wilson from “Home Improvement,” and it should not prevent Broncos from pursuing one of the top quarterbacks. There are three avenues open to perhaps landing Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy: calling the Patriots, calling the Cardinals and calling the Giants. Don’t let them hang up until you have a deal. If you hear a dial tone, then move out of 12 to the Steelers at 20 or the Eagles at 22. Pick up two picks — one in the second round, one on day 3 — and bulk up a needy roster. At 20 or 22, edge rusher Jared Verse, offensive tackle Amarius Mims and receiver Brian Thomas all could be on the board. And there is a realistic possibility that Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. is available. So, you could get a quarterback — Nix fits coach Sean Payton’s offense — without giving up any draft capital while adding a potential starter in the second round. So, what the Broncos should do is get a quarterback. Either in the top six or top 25. I am with Parker in the appeal to move back if you cannot land the guy you love. My plan comes with a caveat. The Broncos still get their quarterback in the first round and acquire picks. This is the type of chess the Broncos need to play to climb out of their eight-year abyss.
Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat reporter: Since the start of the whole draft process, I’ve been in favor of the Broncos trading back. They can get more picks, possibly a second-rounder, while having a strong chance of taking Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix if they really like those quarterbacks. Philadelphia might be a team willing to make a deal since they need a cornerback and either Quinyon Mitchell or Terrion Arnold will be available at No. 12. The only issue with trading back is if they miss out on a premier player like Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers or Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt. Now, all three players could be taken inside the top 10. If one of them falls, Denver shouldn’t move back. But at the end of day, the Broncos should strongly consider trading back. We have to understand that a turnaround won’t happen overnight and the key to building a contender is building through the draft. The Broncos are not in a position to get aggressive and trade up. Even if they tried, will they be able to put together a deal that beats out what the Vikings or New York Giants might offer to move up? Trading back might not seem appealing but it’s a necessary move the team should make.
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.