NFL free agency is still in full swing, but for teams like the Denver Broncos who are low on salary cap space, attention has now turned to the 2024 NFL draft.
The Broncos currently hold eight draft picks, including 12th overall in the first round. Denver passed on 10 notable quarterbacks during the first wave of free agency, but it’s hard to imagine them leaving April’s draft without a long-term answer at the position.
If the Broncos are going to land one of the top QBs in this year’s class, they will need to trade up, and doing so will be costly. Denver does not have a second-round pick this year, but the team does have cornerback Pat Surtain.
The Broncos obviously aren’t shopping Surtain, and they would undoubtedly prefer to keep him if possible. But he is the team’s most valuable trade asset, and teams at the top of the draft will want him included in any hypothetical deal for a top-three pick.
So in our first 2024 NFL mock draft, we have Denver trading Surtain to move up to land a new quarterback for Sean Payton. Check out the full mock below.
1
Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams
The pick everyone expects: Caleb Williams No. 1 overall. Now, can the Bears find a trade partner for Justin Fields?
2
Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels
The Commanders will undoubtedly draft a QB, it’s just a matter of which one. Our first mock of 2024 has them picking Jayden Daniels.
3
Denver Broncos: QB Drake Maye
The Broncos trade their first-round pick (No. 12) and cornerback Pat Surtain to the Patriots in exchange for pick No. 3. Denver then lands Drake Maye to give Sean Payton a franchise QB.
4
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
With the top three QBs off the board, the Cardinals stick with Kyler Murray for at least one more season and gift him Marvin Harrison.
5
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Malik Nabers
Justin Herbert also gets a gift in Malik Nabers, and a mini WR run is on.
6
New York Giants: WR Rome Odunze
Do the Giants give Daniel Jones one last chance? Does Drew Lock revive his career? QB is certainly in play for New York here, but we’ll go with Rome Odunze in this early mock.
7
Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt
Will Levis gets some long-term protection.
8
Atlanta Falcons: OLB Dallas Turner
After adding Kirk Cousins, Atlanta can turn attention to the defense and land the top pass rusher in this year’s class.
9
Chicago Bears: DL Byron Murphy
After drafting Caleb Williams with their first pick, Chicago beefs up the defensive line with Byron Murphy.
10
New England Patriots: QB J.J. McCarthy
After initially trading down with the Broncos, the Patriots now trade pick No. 12 and a third-round selection to the New York Jets in order to jump the Minnesota Vikings. Now back on the clock, New England lands J.J. McCarthy.
11
Minnesota Vikings: QB Bo Nix
Minnesota adds competition for Sam Darnold, landing Bo Nix after the top four QBs go off the board early.
12
New York Jets: OT Taliese Fuaga
Taliese Fuaga can protect Aaron Rodgers on the field, but the QB will need a security detail off the field if he’s a vice president candidate this fall.
13
Las Vegas Raiders: DL Jer’Zhan Newton
This might be a little early for Jer’Zhan Newton, but the Raiders could use his disruption up front.
14
New Orleans Saints: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu
Here you go, Derek Carr. You’re welcome.
15
Indianapolis Colts: C Jackson Powers-Johnson
Jackson Powers-Johnson is the first center off the board. He’ll join a talented, young Colts offense.
16
Seattle Seahawks: ED Jared Verse
Jared Verse could potentially go much higher than this, so the Seahawks are getting a steal here.
17
Jacksonville Jaguars: ED Laiatu Latu
After just missing out on Verse, the Jaguars land Laiatu Latu.
18
Cincinnati Bengals: TE Brock Bowers
Quite a fall for Brock Bowers, much to the delight of Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
19
Los Angeles Rams: CB Cooper DeJean
Cooper DeJean is the first cornerback off the board.
20
Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Quinyon Mitchell
After landing Russell Wilson, the Steelers kick the can down the road at quarterback and select Quinyon Mitchell instead.
21
Miami Dolphins: OT Troy Fautanu
Terron Armstead is returning (at least for one more year), but Miami would be wise to start planning ahead. Troy Fautanu could be a good value here.
22
Philadelphia Eagles: CB Terrion Arnold
Depending on who you ask, Terrion Arnold could be CB1 in this year’s class.
23
Houston Texans: WR Brian Thomas
Brian Thomas joins a fun Houston offense, giving C.J. Stroud another weapon.
24
Dallas Cowboys: CB Nate Wiggins
Stephon Gilmore remains a free agent. Dallas finds his replacement in Nate Wiggins.
25
Green Bay Packers: OT JC Latham
JC Latham lands in Green Bay to help protect Jordan Love.
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Payton Wilson
Payton Wilson is the first (and only) linebacker picked in the first round. He’ll provided some needed youth on Tampa’s defense.
27
Arizona Cardinals: WR Ladd McConkey
What’s better than one receiver? Two, of course! Ladd McConkey joins Marvin Harrison in Arizona.
28
Buffalo Bills: OT Amarius Mims
Back-to-back Bulldogs late in the first round. Amarius Mims will give the Bills a long-term answer at tackle.
29
Detroit Lions: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Another Alabama cornerback off the board in the first round: Kool-Aid McKinstry lands in Detroit.
30
Baltimore Ravens: WR Adonai Mitchell
Odell Beckham remains a free agent. Adonai Mitchell can help replace him in 2024.
31
San Francisco 49ers: OT Graham Barton
Graham Barton can provided a needed upgrade to San Francisco’s offensive line.
32
Kansas City Chiefs: OT Tyler Guyton
Back-to-back tackles to end the first round as the Chiefs select Tyler Guyton to wrap up Day 1.
