Denver Broncos 2012 Draft Needs: Should the Team Trade Their 1st-Round Pick?

Anyone listening to the radio in Denver might have caught former Broncos GM Ted Sundquist talking draft on 104.3 The Fan, and those who stuck around to the end of the interview were treated to an interesting proposition.

When asked who he would take with the 25th pick for Denver, Sundquist eschewed conventional wisdom and said this, "I would trade back."

The entire interview is linked here and in it Sundquist is refreshingly self-depricating in admitting mistakes such as drafting Willie Middlebrooks, but his thought regarding trading the 25th pick is an interesting one.

The fear of drafting defensive tackles in the first round has been well-documented and supported with busts, and Sundquist quotes a statistic that only approximately 25 percent of defensive tackles taken at that position will turn into five-year starters.

Assuming that Sundquist is giving accurate statistics it is worth thinking that perhaps Denver should listen to offers for the 25th pick in the first round.

If they were to do so, Denver would likely be able to gain an early second-round pick as well as another late-round pick in the neighborhood of a sixth- or seventh-rounder, even though the NFL Draft Value Chart might dictate a higher bounty.

What would Denver do with two second-round draft picks?

Simple. Address the two positions that are being debated over for the 25th overall selection: defensive tackle and running back.

If the risk for drafting a defensive tackle is already low at 25, then why not wait a little longer to take a player in the same position with only a slightly lower risk?

Defensive tackles that could be available at either pick Denver might have in the second round could include: Kendall Reyes (Connecticut), Brandon Thompson (Clemson), Mike Martin (Michigan) or Alameda Ta'amu (Washington).

Denver could then turn around and likely select one of these three running backs: David Wilson (Virginia Tech), Doug Martin (Boise State) or Lamar Miller (Miami Fl.).

For those who listened to the interview, Sundquist went on to mention that he may select "the heir apparent to Peyton Manning at quarterback" with one of the picks received in exchange for their first-round pick.

Those players include: Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma St.), Kirk Cousins (Michigan St.) and Brock Osweiler (Arizona St.).

The window for drafting a replacement for Manning should ideally stay open for at least two more years, so to reach for a position this season that cannot pay immediate dividends seems premature.

The Broncos need to find contributors with every pick in this seasons draft, and ideally if Denver can add another sixth-round pick via trading back they need to find more players like Virgil Green or Quinton Carter who are able to see the field immediately while developing.

Trading on draft day is always a risky proposition, but for teams that are confident in their ability to scout and select players it could be a huge boon to add extra opportunities to do so.

One thing that John Elway has proven so far in his tenure is that he is not afraid to take a risk. Trading out of the first round would fit that bill; however, it could also continue to add to the legend Elway is creating off the field.