Sean Payton wants to trade up in the first round to get the player that can help make the Broncos offense elite

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is in rarified air: As of Tuesday, every single team still has its pick. It's the first time since 1967 that every team entered the new league year with its original first-round selection.

That doesn't seem likely to change on Thursday night, either, as this year's draft doesn't contain the quarterback prowess or overall talent prowess to entice teams to move up in Round 1. Sure, teams like the Browns and Giants have been taking calls, but how much of that is due diligence and how much is actual interest/desire is up for debate.

However, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the Denver Broncos have been "exploring" the idea of moving up from No. 20 in the first round. If George Paton and Co. were to pull it off, the likely target would be Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty. That's if he were to fall outside the top-10, which is a possibility simply based off positional value.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also mentioned the Broncos' activity in his most recent article, so it's clear Sean Payton has eyes sight on a particular player and Jeanty makes all the sense in the world.

Until yesterday (see my note on the Texans above), the Denver Broncos were the only team I could find that was actively exploring a trade up. If the Broncos move up, it would likely be for an elite skill player such as Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, and Jeanty is one player I have circled as a trade-up target in a class that doesn’t have many of those. - Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated

There has been, however, a lack of teams willing to trade up -- at least so far. Denver is one of those: The Broncos have made inquiries about moving up in Round 1, according to sources. But there aren't many others. This always could change when players start falling and teams are on the clock. - Adam Schefter, ESPN

Jeanty makes a lot of sense because running back is not only a big need for the Broncos offense, but Payton's offense is predicated upon the running game and having a do-it-all back like Jeanty can elevate his offense to an elite level. Just look what he was able to do with Alvin Kamara during his early years in New Orleans - he was an absolute weapon that had to be accounted for on a week-to-week basis and that opened up the rest of the offense.

And, conveniently enough, Jeanty models his game after Kamara.

How much would it cost the Broncos to move up to No. 11?

This is obviously a hypothetical, but if Jeanty were to fall out of the top-10, the Broncos would be wise to move swiftly in terms of a trade-up. Meaning, trading for San Francisco's 11th overall pick would be their best bet at landing him.

There's one past trade that gives us a good idea of how this could go down and it ironically involves the Broncos. In 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for Denver's 10th overall pick and sent the following:

• Round 1, No. 20 overall
• Round 2, No. 52 overall
• 2020 third-round pick (became No. 83 overall)

So, the Broncos would likely have to part ways with No. 51 overall and then a future third- or fourth-rounder. That honestly isn't a huge price to pay to snag a guy they think can help the offense get to the next level. Especially if Jeanty turns into the perennial Pro Bowler people expect him to be.