NFL Draft 2011: Denver Broncos Looking To Trade Down From No. 2 Pick?

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Denver Broncos May Trade Down And Pursue Quarterback As Early As Second Round

Denver Broncos vice president of football operations John Elway knows a thing or two about quarterbacks.

But would the Hall of Famer really be willing to trade Denver’s No. 2 pick in favor moving down in the draft, all for the sole purpose of selecting a quarterback in the second round?

ESPN.com’s John Clayton believes it to be a possibility for Elway and the Broncos, who may attempt to entice a handful of quarterback-starved teams with the promise of one of the top prospects in the draft:

I'm starting to think Elway might take a QB in the second round and call the Tebow selection a mistake. That interest creates tantalizing possibilities on draft day and thereafter. Thinking that Cam Newton can go No. 1 to Carolina, the Broncos could entice a team such as Tennessee to trade up to the No. 2 spot to get Blaine Gabbert. The Broncos could then take a quarterback in the second round and eventually trade [Kyle] Orton for a second-round pick in 2012.

This scenario isn’t altogether crazy. It’s becoming apparent that Elway doesn’t feel entirely confident with either Orton or Tebow as the long-term solution at quarterback. Should the Broncos retain the second overall pick, they are almost guaranteed to go defense. Even if they opt to trade down, things don’t change much.

Denver can still obtain an impact player with, say, Tennessee’s pick at No. 8, but a trade with the Titans could mean an extra selection in the second round, which then could be used on a Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder, or Andy Dalton.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Most recent updates:

Flag

Props (0)