The Broncos have been connected to trading up, but a year after Sean Payton admitted he participated in a smokescreen operation surrounding a potential first-round move up the board, the team may be content staying at No. 20. A recent report pegged Denver as a team interested in trading up, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini counters by indicating the team is comfortable staying at 20 or potentially moving back. It is important to note Payton’s teams have never traded back in the first round during his HC tenure, but the Broncos are known to be interested in adding a running back. A potential move down the board could allow the team to draft a starter-level RB while adding assets.
This could effectively serve as an announcement the Broncos’ No. 20 pick could be had by a team aiming to climb back into Round 1 — and there are believed to be many — for a quarterback. Though, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller adds the Broncos are believed to be more interested in adding a wideout or a tight end in Round 1 than addressing their RB need there.
A day out, here is the latest from around the draft:
- Denver would be taking a risk by moving out of Round 1 altogether, as this is a loaded running back class. Another team that could be in the mix for a back: the Broncos’ top rival. The three-time reigning AFC champion Chiefs did some late work on TreVeyon Henderson, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler noting Andy Reid participated in a video call with the versatile Ohio State RB. The Chiefs hold the No. 31 overall pick and are not planning to extend Isiah Pacheco before the season, as the three-year starter missed much of last season with a broken leg. Henderson’s stock is on the rise, per Fowler, and his floor appears to be early in the second round.
- Staying in the AFC West, the Chargers are believed to be eyeing an early-round upgrade to their edge-rushing corps, Miller adds. The Bolts re-signed Khalil Mack, but that came after the Joey Bosa release. Mack is also 34 and on a one-year deal. Bud Dupree is also in a contract year, even as two years remain on Tuli Tuipulotu‘s rookie pact.
- Holding the No. 27 overall pick, the Ravens are believed to be interested in adding a safety — after multiple investments backfired at the position. As our Ely Allen pointed out in PFR’s mock draft, the shortcomings of Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson restricted Kyle Hamilton last season. The Ravens want Hamilton to play a deep safety role, and Georgia’s Malaki Starks excelling in multiple areas would enable that and qualify as Baltimore’s “dream pick” in Round 1.
- Bills ties to a first-round defensive tackle pick have emerged, but Miller indicates the five-time reigning AFC East champs have a higher opinion of Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos than the DTs expected to be available by No. 30 overall. Buffalo re-signed Tre’Davious White, but he profiles as more flier than true Rasul Douglas replacement. Amos would effectively qualify as a make-up call for the team’s Kaiir Elam miss.
- Although Mike Borgonzi said the Titans are not planning to move off No. 1, despite some offers (most notably from the Giants), ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicates the team wants to add to its draft arsenal. Specifically, Tennessee wants to add a Day 2 pick. The team traded its third-rounder (No. 66) for L’Jarius Sneed last year, as Borgonzi was working for the Chiefs at that point.
- Despite holding the No. 5 overall pick, the Jaguars threw a strange wrinkle into their pre-draft process. They did not conduct any “30” visits, Schultz adds. This has left teams guessing, though the odd plan also would stand to leave Jacksonville’s new regime with less intel on prospects down the board. Indeed, PFR’s Jaguars page lists no “30” visits, adding intrigue to the first Liam Coen–James Gladstone offseason blueprint.