With the 2023 NFL Draft just around the corner, all eyes will be set on the Denver Broncos, a team desperately craving to get better after a disappointing season in 2022. Notably, even though they are one of the biggest sports teams in Colorado, they’ll have to work their magic with little-to-no assets.
New ownership, a new Head Coach, and a quarterback looking to get a fresh start have been the biggest storylines for the new-look Broncos. Russell Wilson’s first year at Mile High didn’t go as planned, especially given how much they gave to get him.
Just one year ago, the Broncos sent their first and second-round picks (5 and 37, respectively) to the Seattle Seahawks. They also sent their first, second, and fifth-round pick in last year’s Draft alongside Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and Shelby Harris in return for Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick.
Then, the Broncos got a first-round pick back by trading Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins, but they had to give it up to the New Orleans Saints as compensation to get HC Sean Payton as their new boss.
That means that barring a trade, the Broncos don’t have a pick until the third round of the 20223 NFL Draft. They’ll have to wait until the 67th selection to be on the clock for the first time in this edition unless they make something happen. Even so, they do have five picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Every Pick Owned By The Broncos In 2023
- Round 3: Pick 67 (via Indianapolis Colts)
- Round 3: Pick 68
- Round 4: Pick 108
- Round 5: Pick 139
- Round 6: Pick 195 (via Pittsburgh Steelers)
As we already mentioned, things didn’t exactly look great for the Denver Broncos at first sight ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. They don’t have a first or second-round pick from last year’s massive deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
And even though some might be worried about Russell’s regression, and it’s a fact that the Broncos paid a lot for the former Super Bowl champion, they’ll now get to pair him with one of the best coaches in recent times in Sean Payton.
We own the 29th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
📰 » https://t.co/3z0Powdh4V pic.twitter.com/MBOhD9yYgn
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 30, 2023
Did The Deal With The Seahawks Benefited The Broncos?
Wilson reportedly wanted the Seahawks to fire Pete Carroll and hire Payton in the past, and the coach was also looking forward to coaching him. So, paying additional first and second-round picks to land Payton might end up being a genius move if things work out well.
At least the Broncos can get things going right away with two early selections in the third round, one of their own and one via the Indianapolis Colts from a trade from the 2022 NFL Draft. That could help them set the table before the subsequent rounds.
The Broncos own their fourth and fifth-round picks as well. As for the sixth-round pick, they got it from the Pittsburgh Steelers after trading away EDGE rusher Malik Reed, a transaction that also ripped them off their seventh-round pick.
All things considered, the Broncos have almost everything they need to be a legit threat out of the AFC West next season, even if they only land five players in this Draft. As of now, insiders believe they’ll emphasize bolstering their Offensive Line and Cornerback positions.
Blockbuster: After weeks of negotiations, in one of the largest trades in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have agreed to terms for a deal involving Super-Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson, sources tell ESPN.
Trade is pending a physical and Wilson’s approval. pic.twitter.com/oRFDV8Ehyx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2022
Who’ll Pick For The Broncos?
Once again, Broncos’ General Manager George Paton will be in charge of making all decisions in the upcoming NFL Draft. He has never shied away from making big moves, trading up in the 2021 NFL Draft to land RB Javonte Williams or trading down in the third round in 2022 to land another third-round selection.
He’s had a rather aggressive approach in both NFL Drafts he’s been in charge of the team, so we wouldn’t be shocked if he works his magic again to land some more selections if he sees someone he likes in the earlier rounds:
“We certainly have to make some hay.’’ Paton said. “Really since free agency finished, Sean, myself and a couple of our scouts, we’ve sat in a dark room and we’ve hit the draft. I didn’t go to any Pro Days. We just focused on the draft, specifically those top 3s, so we’re really going to have to make hay.”
“It’s hard to move up when you only have five picks.’’ the GM added. “We won’t rule anything out, but it’s hard. I would say we would be more inclined to move back to get some more picks.”
Some are worried about the Broncos’ lack of draft capital after the Russell Wilson trade, and rightfully so. But there’s still a chance they will move to either Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton, or even both.
Also, five picks could be more than enough to address their areas of need and bolster their roster ahead of next season. There’s plenty of talent up for grabs in this class at every position, and we’ve already seen late-round picks outplay those taken in the top 10 way too often. So, don’t worry, Broncos Country, and let’s ride.
Denver will attempt to add more draft picks to their decimated capital: #NFL “personnel executives around the league believe (WR, Jerry) Jeudy’s name has come up so often in recent trade discussions. And why the #Broncos, according to those same sources, have received some… pic.twitter.com/DCC8MfcAid
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 26, 2023
Credits on Featured Image: Richard Bartlaga
