Report: 'Multiple Teams' See Broncos Trading Up for J.J. McCarthy

The Denver Broncos could have their eyes set on a particular QB come next week.

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) holds the National / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The clock is winding down quickly for the Denver Broncos leading up to the NFL Draft set to kick off in Detroit next Thursday, April 25th. Now closing in on under a week to go, the jury is still out on which direction we'll see the Broncos take for their 12th-overall pick.

However, out of each possibility, the quarterback position has been the most widely discussed for the Broncos' option A on draft night. Denver has yet to act in the free agent market to bolster their depth under center, marking Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci as the only QBs on the roster. For head coach Sean Payton, it's a glaring priority to find a future signal caller to move forward with after the Russell Wilson saga finally came to a close.

The desire within the Broncos organization to find a high-level franchise quarterback could be so strong that a trade into the top of the draft is within the range of possibilities. And while the top candidates of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels might be all but finalized as the first three selections of the night, a candidate like J.J. McCarthy as the next man up is a name that sticks out.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, he reveals anonymous league scouts and executives envision J.J. McCarthy landing within the top six picks next Thursday, with the Broncos as a team to watch in a trade-up scenario alongside the Minnesota Vikings.

"I don't see him getting past [Pick] 5 or 6,' an NFC exec said. 'Definitely not getting out of the top 10. Anticipation, decision-making, preparation, coming from pro-style offense -- he's got a lot going for him. You see him process, go through progressions. That's an easier predictor of what it would look like at the NFL level'... Multiple teams believe Minnesota or Denver could be trade-up options for McCarthy, who's considered a good fit in both places. He'd be best served to sit a year behind a veteran, per multiple scouts."

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McCarthy has been a steady riser throughout the pre-draft process after a successful junior season with the national champion Michigan Wolverines under Jim Harbaugh. Through his third season in college, he posted 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions on a 72.3% completion rate. His outstanding accuracy and winning pedigree are each key traits that make the fit between him and Coach Payton extremely ideal.

Of course, it won't be a simple process if the Broncos had the urge to move up past 12, especially without an extensive amount of draft capital on hand as is. Still, in a league where franchise quarterback talent is so heavily valued and necessary for success, the steep cost for a guy like McCarthy may be worth the price tag.

The wait isn't much longer before we find out what happens next in Broncos Country.

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