Report updates if Broncos could make blockbuster NFL Draft trade

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported earlier this month that the Denver Broncos could get "pretty aggressive" regarding trading up from the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to grab a quarterback. 

Sportskeeda consulting editor and NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline expanded on Breer's story on Thursday. 

According to Pauline, the Broncos could "dangle" Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II "as part of a package to trade up for a quarterback." Pauline revealed that "any package to move up will include at least one future first-round pick as well as Surtain and the 12th selection in this year’s draft." The report also stated that the Broncos specifically are targeting Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

It seems a guarantee the Chicago Bears will make USC Trojans star Caleb Williams the draft's first pick next Thursday night. There's no sign as of Friday that the Washington Commanders will trade the second selection, and they've been linked in stories with McCarthy, LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels and North Carolina Tar Heels signal-caller Drake Maye. 

New England Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf teased on Thursday he's "open" to either trading the third pick or choosing his preferred available quarterback out of McCarthy, Daniels and Maye. The Patriots reportedly want "a lot more than" three first-round picks for No. 3 this year. 

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Williams, Daniels and Maye as the betting favorites to be the top three picks of the draft. Thus, Denver could wait to see if McCarthy gets past New England before finalizing a trade to land the national champion. 

"In a bit of irony, the teams at the top of the draft that are expected to be willing to trade down, the Arizona Cardinals (fourth pick) and Los Angeles Chargers (fifth pick), need a cornerback," Pauline explained. 

However, it can't be forgotten that a club such as the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders or New York Giants could beat the Broncos to a trade into the top five for McCarthy. 

On Friday morning, DraftKings had the Vikings as the betting favorites at +130 odds to select the Michigan quarterback. The Giants were second at that time at +275, followed by the Patriots at +300.