New First-Round Pro Bowl Edge Rusher Pick Traded to the Broncos
There should be more possibilities for the Denver Broncos.
They appear to require a new quarterback, are $25.5 million above the salary limit according to Sportrac, and only have two (out of five) picks in the top 100 of the 2024 draft. The No. 12 overall selection is included in that.
The top choices can all disappear from the top 10. Furthermore, a first-round selection, particularly one in the top half of the draft, might not be justified for a quarterback from the second class.
To solve the problem, however, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department offers a fictitious exchange.
The B/R Scouting Department noted on January 29 that “the Broncos weren’t willing to move Surtain without a’major haul,’ according to [NBC Sports’ Mike] Florio.” “A first-round pick and a pass-rusher like Sweat might qualify.”
The imminent decision by Denver about Russell Wilson and their possible search for a new quarterback may encourage the Broncos to make a trade for draft picks right away.
Surtain, 23, was selected to the All-Pro team once and has two Pro Bowl appearances.
According to Pro Football Reference, he has seven career interceptions and has never let more than 59% of the passes that are thrown his way be completed.
He is in the last year of a four-year, $20 million rookie scale contract. He was selected with the ninth overall choice in the 2021 draft. Denver still has the option to keep him under team control until the fifth year. But according to Over The Cap, the price increases from a cap hit of $6.7 million in 2024 to $18.4 million in 2025.
Sweat, 27, is nearing the end of a $40 million, three-year contract. Compared to his career-high 11.0 sacks in 2022, his 6.5 sacks from the previous season were a decline. And even the 7.5 sacks he scored in 2021 while playing in the Pro Bowl.
Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto both contributed 8.5 and 8.0 sacks to the Broncos’ total. Both players have contracts for the upcoming season and are younger than 27.
That might make Sweat’s need for a new contract and this trade less appealing in the absence of a demonstrated need.
Unless the Broncos think it could allow them to trade up for a quarterback, of course. In this scenario, Denver may also use one of its first-round picks to select one of the best corners in this draft class. However, it is improbable that you will find someone like Surtain.
A number of additional possible trade packages were presented by Bleacher Report, one of which would have traded linebacker Dre Greenlaw and Surtain to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for their first-round selection.
They would then have the No. 31 or No. 32 overall pick depending on that package. A quarterback may still be unable to reach them. They could be unable to package their No. 12 pick in order to acquire their future quarterback.
Playing a non-premium position, Greenlaw will also require a new contract over the upcoming offseason.
The Broncos would also package the No. 12 pick with the No. 76 overall pick and veteran left tackle Garett Bolles in exchange for the Tennessee Titans’ No. 7 overall pick.
In that fictitious transaction, the Broncos would also acquire the No. 145 overall pick. However, losing their left tackle in the absence of a solid backup plan is not a big concern, particularly for a quarterback in his rookie year.
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Notes from the Senior Bowl: Bo Nix is honing his under-center dropbacks at quarterback.
Nix let me down on Tuesday, and I had hoped that he would perform better on Wednesday. That was not the case. On the other hand, Nix appeared somewhat better, if not better at all. Nix had a difficult day as he was not given much room to work with by the National cornerbacks.
Even a powerful receiver like Devontez Walker of North Carolina found it difficult to catch throws from Nix. Nix was working from under center during practice, and he executed a hitch step in the opening phase of his dropback. That’s a poor habit that merely slows down his drop, so it needs to be trained out of him right away.
Wilson made several appearances in my notebook, and I felt he had a solid day overall. Wilson was able to dive and gather in the catch early in practice to move the chains, even though there was a defender all over him. He continued to demonstrate his circus-catch prowess with what was possibly the play of the day from the faltering National offense. Michael Penix Jr.’s pass got in behind Wilson as he was sprinting to the sideline. Reaching behind him and twisting around where he maintained his two feet inside, he managed to snag the ball. Though the National Team’s passing game didn’t perform well that day, that was undoubtedly a plus.
I’ve been captivated by watching a handful of the Senior Bowl safeties. Oladapo appears intimidating on the field even in practice when there isn’t any actual tackling to the ground because of his excellent size and speed combo. I’ve been keeping a close eye on him, and at first during practice, I believed the National Team had a new cornerback. It was only Oladapo in safety; there was nothing else. He looks like a cornerback out there because of the way he consistently breaks up passes and makes plays with the ball.
Jefferson is one of the most formidable players on this defensive line. He continued his excellent practice on Tuesday, the day he was so disruptive.
Power is the name of Jefferson’s game, and he has the ability to push men aside. He is aware of leverage, and he clears obstacles with his sheer might. Jefferson is not only strong but also tenacious; on Wednesday, he initiated a brawl in “the pit.” When the blocker was yelling about winning the rep, he tore off his helmet and kept it by his side like a prize. I adore it, but it’s a little too much for me to practice.
Conversely, Paul might be the offensive line’s Jefferson. Paul is an unpleasant player who has no problem making someone look stupid. He then informs them of this while they’re making their way back to the huddle. Once more, I admire this mindset from guys who play in the trenches, but it might not be for everyone. Paul has vise-grip-like hands and is a strong player. When he latches onto a defender, it will take all to break free of his hold.
