The Denver Broncos are sitting on seven draft picks after trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos gave up their first and third-round picks to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Waddle, and swapped fourth-rounders last month.
Seven picks in the draft war chest are enough for general manager George Paton to ensure the Broncos bring in a healthy class this year. But they only have one top-100 selection.
Paton has orchestrated several draft-day trades over the years, but this time around, if he makes a deal, it could be the Broncos trading away a veteran in exchange for picks or to move up in a given round. If the phone rings on draft day, here are the Broncos’ veterans who could garner trade interest around the NFL.
Jarrett Stidham | QB
Stidham enters a contract year after finally getting some playing time last season after Bo Nix went down with his untimely ankle injury. The stakes of the AFC championship game proved to be too much for Stidham, but he’s still a very valuable backup quarterback in this league.
The Broncos re-signed Sam Ehlinger last month to a one-year deal, which gives the team flexibility if the right offer came in for Stidham. Or for Ehlinger, for that matter. Both players are experienced backups who’ve started in the NFL.
It would take a very impressive offer for the Broncos to deal Stidham, though. Last January proved how much Sean Payton and the Broncos’ players and coaches appreciate “Stiddy.”
But Stidham is playing on an expiring contract and there could be a team out there looking for another quarterback with starting upside, especially in the face of a shallow draft class at the position.
Troy Franklin | WR