The first wave of free agency has come and gone without the Denver Broncos moving for a starting quarterback.
The franchise called time on the Russell Wilson experience before free agency started, cutting the former Seattle Seahawk and taking a huge salary cap hit in the process,
With just Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci as the only quarterbacks on their roster, plus a need to be cautious when it comes to the salary cap, all signs point to the Broncos selecting a quarterback in next month’s NFL Draft.
Denver have the 12th overall selection when the action starts in Detroit on April 25, but that may not be high enough to get the player they want in a draft that is set to be dominated by quarterbacks.
Head coach Sean Payton admitted at the NFL Annual League Meeting on Monday that his team trading up is a ‘realistic’ option.
"It's good to be (Cardinals general manager) Monti (Ossenfort) right now," Payton said, referencing Arizona’s number four overall selection.
There are believed to be three standout quarterbacks in this year's draft in Caleb Willliams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels, with QB-needy teams Chicago, Washington and New England having the first three picks. Denver will also be wary that Minnesota, currently with the 11th pick and plenty of ammunition to make a trade, are also in the market for a quarterback.
Payton also discussed the decision to release Wilson and what it means for their quarterback room.
"We felt it was in the best interest of our team," Payton added. "Now as we go forward, obviously we are in the middle of free agency, we're preparing for the draft. We'll look at both of those avenues to not only address quarterback but to fill other spots on the team.
“I think the draft is one element, and we're kind of in that phase now, and yet there's still a few possibilities relative to guys who are currently in this league or have played in this league. I think that we've got a pretty good plan in place. We understand what we're doing and we're going to be smart about it."
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