The NFL draft is about a month away and the Broncos have plenty of directions they could go with the No. 12 pick.
But if this week’s roundup of mock drafts is any indication where George Paton and Sean Payton are looking, it’s at one position: Quarterback. Eleven of the 17 analysts are projecting the Broncos are taking a QB in the first round.
Here’s a look at who national draftniks are thinking will land in Denver.
CBS Sports | Josh Edwards | Updated March 21
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) celebrates with linebackers Jeremiah Alexander, left, and Trezmen Marshall, right, after an interception to end an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
“Denver has bigger needs, beginning with quarterback, but the board probably pushes the Broncos toward this route. Patrick Surtain II and Terrion Arnold would be a fun pairing,” Edwards writes. See the full mock draft.
NFL.com | Daniel Jeremiah | Updated March 19
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch as Mississippi safety Nick Cull (29) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
“I know tight end is not a pressing need for the Broncos, but this is a ‘best player available’ situation. They can deploy Bowers in the slot, similar to the way Sean Payton utilized Michael Thomas in New Orleans,” Jeremiah writes. See the full mock draft.
USA Today | Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz | Updated March 12
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs the ball after a catch against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (George Walker IV, The Associated Press)
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
“Given that riding things out with Jarrett Stidham seems like a highly questionable move for Sean Payton in Year 2, a quarterback has to be in play either here or the second round. In this case, however, the Broncos stick to the value equation and provide their future starting passer with a significant weapon in Bowers, who should quickly establish himself as a major threat after the catch,” Middlehurst-Schwartz writes. See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Tom Fornelli | Updated March 22
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates their win against Washington in the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Note: Broncos trade No. 12 (and more) to Bears for No. 9 pick
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michgan
“The Bears would love to add more draft picks after parting with multiple in recent trades, so they listen when Denver calls looking to move up. As for Denver, there’s been a significant overhaul of the roster, and there’s a gaping hole at QB. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy strikes me as a prospect Sean Payton could be intrigued by,” Fornelli writes. See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Eric Galko | Updated March 26
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy passes against Washington during the first half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Note: Broncos trade No. 12 (and more) to Cardinals for No. 4 pick
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
“Many expect the Vikings to trade up for a quarterback, but few realize the urgency in Denver. This trade leaves the Broncos with very few assets for the future, but people in Denver feel they’re closer than most think to winning. If they want to move up, they have to trade into the top four, as the Chargers won’t be trading with a division rival,” Galko writes. See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Chris Trapasso | Updated March 26
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Indianapolis. (Darron Cummings, The Associated Press)
Note: Broncos trade No. 12 pick (and more) to Cardinals for No. 4 pick
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
“The Broncos don’t have as much ammo to ascend the draft board as the Vikings do, but to me, they’re more desperate, especially GM George Paton,” Trapasso writes. See the full mock draft.
Yahoo Sports | Charles McDonald and Nate Tice | Updated March 21
Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) deflects a pass intended for Miami (Ohio) wide receiver Gage Larvadain during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
“Mitchell’s stock is soaring throughout this draft cycle, and deservedly so (he’s the No. 1 defender on my big board). He has very good body control, burst and ball skills to stay sticky in coverage and make plays on the ball. That showed up at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and with his excellent testing day in Indianapolis. The Broncos need a ton of help throughout their roster, and will likely be eyeing the trenches, but pairing Mitchell with the best cornerback in the NFL in Pat Surtain II could at least give Denver one position unit to hang its hat on,” Tice writes. See the full mock draft.
USA Today | Nate Davis | Updated March 19
Quarterback Bo Nix of the Oregon Ducks speaks with the media following the Fiesta Bowl against the Liberty Flames at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 01, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“They were only too willing to eat Russell Wilson’s high-calorie contract, but Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci seem like a crash diet. Nix has the accuracy – yes, some of his record 77.5% completion rate in 2023 was juiced by the Ducks’ offense – coach Sean Payton values, plus a nose for the goal line (38 rushing TDs in five college seasons). And with an FBS-record 61 starts under his belt, rookie passers don’t come much more plug-and-play than Nix would,” Davis writes. See the full mock draft.
Sports Illustrated | Luke Easterling | Updated March 21
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws against Liberty during the first half on the NCAA Fiesta Bowl college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Note: Broncos trade No. 12 pick to Dallas for Nos. 24 and 56
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“Trading down from the No. 12 spot netted Denver a much-needed second-round pick, and in this scenario, they’re still able to land their quarterback of the future without reaching quite as much. Nix might not have the elite upside of this year’s top passers, but his combination of experience and efficiency would be a great fit for Sean Payton,” Easterling writes. See the full mock draft.
Other Broncos picks:
Second round, 56th overall pick: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Third round, 76th overall pick: Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami (Fla.)
Fourth round, 121st overall pick: Xavier Thomas, edge, Clemson
The Sporting News | Vinnie Iyer | Updated March 19
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix is interviewed after the team’s victory over Stanford in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“The Broncos are down to Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on their QB depth chart after moving Russell Wilson. Much like the Commanders, Patriots, and Vikings, they are screaming to everyone they will draft a potential franchise passer for Sean Payton. They seem to like Nix’s arm and athleticism, which fits their draft position,” Iyer writes. See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Mel Kiper Jr. | Updated March 19
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to pass against Hawaii during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
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Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“The Broncos have been quiet in free agency. Are they really comfortable going into the season with Jarrett Stidham as their starting quarterback? They’re running out of options, unless they can find a way to move up in the draft … or if they liked someone from the second tier of passers. Nix, Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) and Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) are likely to be off the board by the time Denver picks again, which is No. 76 overall, as it doesn’t own a second-round pick. So could Sean Payton & Co. instead take one here or trade down a few picks in Round 1?
“That’s the way I’m leaning right now. Nix isn’t going to be for every team, but Payton might see a little Drew Brees in him. He’s a super-fast processor who can make every throw and was one of the most productive passers in college football the past two seasons. He had 74 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions after transferring from Oregon. The Ducks’ offense relied on quick strikes, though, and he wasn’t often asked to push the ball downfield. He averaged just 6.3 air yards per attempt last season, which ranked 120th out of 125 FBS qualifiers. Taking Nix in Round 1 would be a way for the Broncos to try to snag a franchise quarterback, and if they moved down a few spots, they could regain valuable capital. But again, they have to really believe in his potential to do it,” Kiper writes. See the full mock draft.
NFL.com | Chad Reuter | Updated March 22
Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium Sept. 23, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“Denver might give Arizona multiple 2025 picks to move into the fourth spot for J.J. McCarthy. If they don’t, the Broncos land on the solid Nix as their future starter,” Reuter writes. See the full mock draft.
Other Broncos picks:
Third round, 76th overall pick: Bralen Trice, edge, Washington
Fourth round, 121st overall pick: Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State
The Athletic | Bo Standig | Updated March 25
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass against Cal during the first quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Note: Broncos trade No. 12 pick to Packers for Nos. 25, 58, 91 and 245
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“Drafting a first-round quarterback isn’t Sean Payton’s thing. Entering camp with only Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci probably isn’t either. Taking Nix offers youthful hope even if the Oregon standout is a bit older (24) than the typical rookie. There’s nothing normal with breaking the FBS record with a 77.4 completion percentage. The dropdown upped Denver’s pick total to 11, so moving around for a wideout or defensive back remains plausible,” Standig writes. See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Mike Tannenbaum | Updated March 26
Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks down field under pressure from the Colorado Buffaloes defense in the first quarter at Autzen Stadium September 23, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“Obviously Denver is in transition at QB after releasing Russell Wilson. Nix’s 77.4% completion rate led the nation in 2023, and he threw 45 TD passes to three interceptions. He has the accuracy and anticipation to succeed in Sean Payton’s offense. The big concern would be the arm strength. His deep balls fluttered at times at the Senior Bowl, and that matches what I see on tape. It may limit his ceiling, but it’s also something that Payton can work around and develop,” Tannenbaum writes. See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Field Yates | Updated March 16
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) high fives running back Bucky Irving (0) during a position drill at the school’s NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
“Quarterbacks are flying off the board in this scenario, and with Denver not scheduled to pick again until the third round, it must act decisively to add one now. The Broncos have not addressed the quarterback spot in any way this offseason — they are currently slated to start Jarrett Stidham — and Nix’s blend of accuracy, processing speed and mobility makes him an intriguing option. He was incredibly efficient last season at Oregon, completing 77.4% of his throws and tossing 45 touchdown passes to three interceptions. It has been a transformative offseason for the franchise, with Denver releasing quarterback Russell Wilson and safety Justin Simmons and trading receiver Jerry Jeudy. Nix would help get things back on track,” Yates writes. See the full mock draft.
Pro Football Focus | Brad Spielberger | Updated March 25
LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) carries in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. LSU won 42-30. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
“If the Denver Broncos are unable to make a move for a quarterback, they quickly replace wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who they traded to the Cleveland Browns, and have two top-end speedsters in Thomas alongside 2023 second-round wideout Marvin Mims.
“Broncos head coach Sean Payton is plenty familiar with the LSU program after spending 15 years with the New Orleans Saints. And with wideout Courtland Sutton also perhaps not a long-term solution, Denver builds out a great supporting cast for the hypothetical quarterback they add in 2025,” Spielberger writes. See the full mock draft.
NFL.com | Bucky Brooks | Updated March 26
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) works against Syracuse offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. (70) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jared Verse, edge, Florida State
“Sean Payton is rebuilding the Broncos, with a premier pass rusher among the team’s top needs. Verse is an energetic sack artist with the potential to reach double digits in that category,” Brooks writes. See the full mock draft.
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