Twas the night before Draft Day: A round up of mocks and rumors.

They're saying the 2024 draft is the most important in Broncos history. Of course, they've said that every draft since Manning. But this is the new, new, new, new, new, new, new, new, new most important draft.

Draft rumors, mock drafts, and all the reports we see leading up to the draft are mostly worthless, not only because nobody really knows what teams are thinking, but also because nobody knows which of these college players will actually be good NFL players. Yet, I follow all the twists and turns because I see this as entertainment and it's kinda fun. Y'all put up with a lot of my posting so I thought it might be a service to the subreddit to round where things stand the night before the draft.

Latest Mock Draft Selections (First Round Only)

These are the latest mocks from well-known sources and sites. Not an exhaustive list by any means, but enough to see some patterns. Nothing too surprising. Out of these 25 mock drafts:

• Bo Nix was easily the most common pick (either at 12 or later)
• QB was the most common pick and every QB except Williams and Maye were mocked to the Broncos by at least one writer.
• If not a QB, EDGE was the most common alternate pick, but TE and CB appear at times.
• 6 predicted trade downs (all for QBs except 1). 3 predicted trade ups.
• Despite a strong class, not one mocked an OT or WR.

Daniel "Move The Sticks" Jeremiah at NFL Network – Bo Nix, QB. Broncos trade with Philly to 22.

Bucky Brooks at NFL Network – Jared Verse, EDGE at 12

Charles Davis at NFL Network – Box Nix, QB at 12.

Kiper and Yates alternating picks at ESPN (note hasn't updated since 4/15) – Brock Bowers, TE at 12

Jordan Reid final mock at ESPN – Bo Nix, QB Broncos trade with Philly to 22.

Matt Miller at ESPN – Dallas Turner, EDGE at 12

The Ringer Mock Draft – JJ McCarthy, QB at 12

Chris Trapasso at CBS Sports – Dallas Turner, EDGE at 12

Dave Richard at CBS Sports – Michael Penix Jr. Broncos trade with Arizona to 27.

John Beech at CBS Sports – Bo Nix, QB. Broncos trade with Pitt to 20.

Charles Macdonald and Nate Tice at Yahoo Sports – Brock Bowers, TE at 12.

Benjamin Allbright at KOA – Jared Verse, EDGE. Broncos trade with Philly to 22.

Cecil Lammey at Denver Sports (no trades) – Bo Nix, QB at 12.

Pro Football Focus – Jayden Daniels, QB. Broncos trade with New England to 3.

Walterfootball – Box Nix, QB at 12

The Athletic – JJ McCarthy, QB. Broncos trade with Atlanta to 8

The 33rd Team – Terrion Arnold, CB at 12

Nate Davis at USA Today – Bo Nix, QB at 12

Jason La Canfora at Washington Post – Bo Nix, QB. Broncos trade with Pitt to 20.

Connor Rogers at NBC Sports – JJ McCarty, QB. Broncos trade with Atlanta to 8.

Joel Klatt at Fox Sports – Box Nix, QB at 12.

Mike Klis (not a true mock draft) – Bo Nix at 12 or later.

Denver Post Roundtable – Michael Penix Jr. at 12 (Gabriel), Brock Bowers at 12 (McFadden), Nix or McCarthy (Renck), Laiatu Latu (Keeler)

Chris Tommasson at Denver Gazzette – Box Nix, QB at 12

SBNation Community Mock Draft – Bo Nix, QB at 12

Broncos relevant draft rumors

Again, none of this really means much, but I've tried to source this from actual reporters who are talking to agents and sources. I know a lot of stuff probably seems obvious (e.g. Denver is call teams above and below them!), but I'm just noting that people are saying these things.

The common takeaways here is that all the smoke around Denver and Bo Nix is real. Denver doesn't seem to want to stay at twelve. Everything hinges on what Pats do and they are likely to take a QB at this point.

Notes from Albert Breer's notebook today:

• Broncos and LA Rams are both "connected to" Bo Nix
• Broncos have done extensive work on QBs
• Broncos have called about trading up and down
• Denver shopped Bolles last year so OT could be a possibility

Daniel Jeremiah notes:

• "To summarize my last 5 phone calls- everyone is moving up for an OT."
• "I don't view the Giants as a JJ McCarthy team"

Adam Schefter notes

• In interview with Rich Eisen, he says 7 teams in the top of the draft with QB needs, but that others could also be in play (Dallas, LA Rams) who have QBs that they may move on from soon.

Jeremey Fowler last minute intel:

• "The sense after asking around is that Patriots have Williams-Daniels-Maye as their expected order at 1, 2, 3. But had one league source broach this last night — 'I think people are discounting the Kraft-Brady-McCarthy connection in all of this.' Could be a thought for a trade-back"
• Denver has received several trade calls on Sutton but haven't planned to trade him. Pittsburgh could be a team to watch here.

Jonathan Jones draft notebook:

• Denver is the team that's most likely to move out of their pick
• Zach Wilson trade was discussed for more than a month, doesn't preclude QB pick
• Bo Nix and Broncos are talked about together a lot

Dianna Russini "what I'm hearing":

• "Though team officials are open to listening to trade offers, league sources say no real offer has come New England’s way, with only “scenarios” being discussed. Teams like the Vikings, Broncos and Raiders were told it would take significant draft capital for New England to trade out of its spot. With no deal in place right now, the Patriots are expected to stick and pick at No. 3."
• "The Denver Broncos, who pick at No. 12, did not trade with the New York Jets for Zach Wilson on Monday for him to be the starter. And though moving up for a QB is still in play for the team, there is a limit to what the Broncos are willing to pay. But Sean Payton wants a QB. His philosophy going back to his days in New Orleans is, “If you love a player, go get him.” Most teams picking in the top five believe the Broncos could make a big swing with a package that could even include star cornerback and fifth-year option pickup Pat Surtain II and more players on expiring deals if Payton’s true love is there."
• "The Broncos, Raiders, and Vikings have all called to inquire about a possible trade [with the Chargers]. My understanding is the Chargers are listening, but their price is much bigger than what it costs to rent a parking space for Jim Harbaugh’s new RV."

Dane Brugler Notes:

• "Plenty of buzz for JJ at 3. That'll throw a wrench in almost every mock."

"Agents Take" in CBS Sports:

• "Surtain and 2024's 12th overall pick should be enough to move up to the third pick if the Ramsey trade compensation is any indication"

Tidbits in Cecil Lammey's Mock Draft:

• Denver and Minnesota really want to get up to snag a QB
• Patriots may be bluffing on their QB interest to drive price up

Benjamin Allbright notes:

• "The Broncos have received multiple trade up calls for 12. Some teams seeking CB, some seeking OL"

Benjamin Solak notes:

• "I have had conversations with NFL scouts in the past months and as recently as the last week who have Maye > Daniels and/or McCarthy > Daniels I really think QB 2/3/4 is nowhere near a league consensus."