The Denver Broncos traded their original 2023 first-round draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks last spring as part of the Russell Wilson trade. That pick ended up being fifth overall following Denver’s 5-12 record in 2022.
So the Broncos won’t have a high first-round pick in April, but they will have a late first-round selection following the Bradley Chubb trade last fall. As part of the Chubb trade, Denver acquired the San Francisco 49ers’ first-round pick (through the Miami Dolphins).
Unfortunately, the Niners’ pick keeps getting lower with each passing week. After San Francisco advanced to the NFC title game, the first-round selection won’t be any higher than No. 29 overall because the 49ers are one of the final four teams still alive in the postseason.
If San Francisco makes it all the way to the Super Bowl, the pick won’t be higher than No. 31. If they win the Super Bowl, the pick will be No. 32.
Of course, all of this will end up being a moot point if the Broncos end up trading the pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for coach Sean Payton. Unless/until that happens, though, we’ll be following the 49ers’ playoff run to see exactly where the first-round choice ends up.
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