Broncos Predicted to Trade Up to Draft Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

The Denver Broncos could be in the market to trade up for their quarterback of the future.

Now that the dust has settled from Russell Wilson's tumultuous exit, fans are left to wait and wonder who the Denver Broncos' quarterback heir-apparent is.

Jarrett Stidham is currently the presumed starter, with Ben DiNucci listed as the backup in the Broncos' two-man QB room. Some reports suggest that head coach Sean Payton could potentially view Stidham as QB1 to begin the 2024 season after inking him to a two-year, $10 million deal just one year ago.

The Broncos currently possess the No.12 overall pick, leaving many to wonder if the team hopes that a quarterback will fall to them or perhaps trade back to get a discount on another valuable position.

Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings predicts that the Broncos will trade into the top 10 to select Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.

Trade: Broncos receive No. 7 pick; Titans receive No. 12 pick, No. 145 pick, 2025 first-round pick, 2025 third-round pick.

Three QBs are off the board, and the Las Vegas Raiders are looming at 13th overall. Sean Payton takes no chances, trading up for a young QB in

J.J. McCarthy

. McCarthy has the requisite talent, and he’s shown he can work the middle of the field with anticipation.

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In Cumming’s mock draft scenario, the Broncos found a trade partner with the Tennessee Titans to move up five spots for Payton’s handpicked prospect. Here's what figurative capital changed hands. 

Broncos acquire: (TEN) 2024 first-round pick (No. 7 overall)

Titans acquire: (DEN) 2024 first-round pick (No. 12 overall), (DEN) 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 145 overall), (DEN) 2025 first-round pick, (DEN) 2025 third-round pick

Over a dozen QBs have come and gone since Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset after the Broncos won Super Bowl 50. From high-priced journeyman free agents to busted draft picks, Denver has failed to identify, select, or develop a franchise QB, resulting in seven consecutive losing seasons.

While drafting a first-round quarterback entails hefty risk, it's also an exciting time for Broncos Country — a fanbase desperate to cherish and fall in love with a prospect that aims to right the wrongs of the recent past. 

Perhaps McCarthy is that guy for Payton. 

The 6-foot-2, 219-pound national champion went 27-1 as a starter for the Wolverines in three seasons, logging 6,226 passing yards and 49 touchdowns, a 67.6 completion percentage, and just 11 interceptions. After consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, McCarthy helped lead his Wolverines to an undefeated (15-0) season in 2023 and won the school’s first National Championship since 1997.

As the draft nears, the pressure for the Broncos to draft a first-round quarterback is only intensifying. While this mock draft didn’t include potential players that could be used as capital to trade up with another team, it’s important to remember that Denver is likely preparing for many different trade scenarios so that it can get its guy.

Expect McCarthy’s stock to continue climbing as the Broncos and the rest of the league feverishly debate whether to acquire the 21-year-old Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year.

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