The Denver Broncos are a team to keep an eye on in the competition to acquire a quarterback in the 2024 draft.
When asked if he was aware of the competition, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell openly admitted during the NFC coaches breakfast at the owners meeting in Orlando.
“Definitely,” O’Connell told reporters on March 26. “Part of the draft is understanding – I’ve used this term before but – other teams sometimes have to be complicit in your plans. And you’re talking about the Denver Broncos with Sean Payton as the head coach, George Paton. I know the type of staff they have there. There’s some great evaluators of talent.
“We know if we feel strongly about the type of players that we’re looking at and we’re evaluating, they probably are feeling similar. And so we got to understand that that is part of it. We’re going to have to compete in ways to add players, at all positions, to our team.”
The player that some assume the Broncos are aiming for is Michigan’s quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.
“Sean Payton’s the one I’d keep an eye on,” Dan Patrick said on the “Dan Patrick Show” on March 26, noting the Vikings as a threat. “I’ve felt all along Sean Payton wants J.J. McCarthy.”
Payton did not attend McCarthy’s pro day. But he revealed at the AFC coaches breakfast that he put the former Wolverine through the paces in a private workout following the event. Payton also called the possibility of the Broncos trading up for a quarterback “realistic”.
Vikings Quarterbacks Coach Josh McCown worked with McCarthy at the pro day.
But Paton has also shown consistent interest in McCarthy, discussing plans to meet at the scouting combine and attending Michigan’s pro day.
Commanders, Vikings Lurk as Threats to Draft QB Ahead of Broncos
GettyHead coaches Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos and Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings.
A couple of twists in this story could lead to a significantly different result. First, McCown coached long-time presumed No. 2 quarterback prospect Drake Maye in high school. That could give Minnesota, owners of the No. 11 overall pick, a leg up in their evaluation process.
The Vikings are also interested in LSU’s Jayden Daniels, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano on February 10
Daniels’ pro day on March 27 and Maye’s on March 28 could be telling. Though, as Payton’s revelation may have shown, it’s not always the best indicator of a team’s level of interest.
The second and more significant twist in the competition for a quarterback is the growing speculation around the Washington Commanders‘ plans in the draft. They sit at No. 2 and appear poised to shake up the entire draft early on.
“When I’ve had conversations [at the owners meeting] with executives from other teams that know [Commanders General Manager] Adam Peters well, that know the situation well, the most popular answer for what they do at No. 2 is J.J. McCarthy,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said on “The Insiders” on March 25.
Broncos ‘Going to Have to Go Get’ J.J. McCarthy
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines.
There are conflicting reports about the Commanders’ plans, both in who they would take and if they would draft in that slot or trade back.
This happens naturally at this time of year as team officials try to hide their true feelings. Peters mentioned his side had not finalized their plans for the second overall pick. However, he said it's still early in the process and they are not actively looking to trade out of the spot.
However, the only way the Broncos can ensure they get him is by being assertive.
“One of my sources who went to the combine said there are teams that really like him. They think he has everything, interviewed well and has smarts, athleticism, and a winning attitude. They said he won’t be available at 13, so you’ll have to make a move. What are you willing to give up?” Patrick said.
The Broncos, of course, have the 12th overall pick, which slightly increases their chances of getting McCarthy without trading up.
