The Denver Broncos are expected to move on from Russell Wilson this offseason, which will leave them without a long-term quarterback going into the 2024 campaign.

Three months from now, the Broncos are set to pick 12th overall in the 2024 NFL draft. It’s possible that Denver could select a quarterback at No. 12, but the top three QBs in this year’s class will all be off the board by that point.

Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (UNC) and Jayden Daniels (LSU) are expected to go off the board early in the first round, perhaps at picks 1-3. So if the Broncos want to land one of those QBs, they will have to trade up.

There’s buzz that Denver might do just that.

“There is a belief by many in the scouting community that Sean Payton has something cooking for the early portion of the #NFLDraft,” Cecil Lammey of DenverSports.com tweeted earlier this week.

Lammey went on to report that evaluators he has spoken to do not expect the Broncos to wait for a QB to fall to them. Instead, those sources believe Payton will make a big trade for a QB near the top of the draft.

“The NFL thinks Payton is going to move up, no matter what,” Lammey wrote in a follow-up tweet. “Don’t ask about compensation. Some think it won’t matter b/c SP won’t wait on QB. He wants his guy NOW.”

Denver only holds six picks in this year’s draft. Trades often involve future selections, however, and the Broncos are set to have first-, second- and third-round picks in both 2025 and 2026.

Tony Pauline of sportskeeda.com wrote this week that “the Broncos are interested in moving up for their quarterback of the future yet such a move would come at an enormous cost and it’s very unlikely to happen.”

Moving up to acquire one of Williams, Maye or Daniels would cost a king’s ransom, and teams at the top of the draft might ask for cornerback Pat Surtain as part of a potential blockbuster deal.

“I’m told while the franchise doesn’t want to trade Surtain, they would consider moving the corner only as a last result to secure one of the top passers,” Pauline wrote.

The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots own the top three picks in this year’s draft and all three are QB-needy teams. Unless the Bears decide to stick with Justin Fields, they wouldn’t give up the No. 1 pick. The Commanders and Patriots also seem unlikely to pass on a top QB prospect.

So even if the rumors about Denver wanting to trade up for a QB are true, the team might not be able to find a trade partner. Speculation will only increase as the draft draws closer. This year’s NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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Story originally appeared on Broncos Wire