Broncos' Team Needs in 2024 NFL Draft

The Denver Broncos come into the 2024 NFL draft with one major need at quarterback, but they may not get their guy at that position in the first round.

Denver sits in an awkward spot in the quarterback arms race at No. 12, one spot the Minnesota Vikings, who are also in the market for a signal-caller.

All four of the top quarterbacks could be gone by the time Denver picks at No. 12, or before it considers a trade up in the draft order.

Sean Payton and his staff have to prepared to play the waiting game on a quarterback and fill another need at No. 12.

The Broncos do not have a second-round pick, so the decision at No. 12 has to land a difference-maker somewhere on the field.

Quarterback

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 07: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during the first quarter in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

The end of the Russell Wilson era in Denver put Jarrett Stidham at the top of the quarterback depth chart.

Denver probably is not going to start Week 1 with Stidham under center, so it needs to find Wilson's successor in the draft.

The Broncos missed out on the free-agent and trade wave of quarterbacks at the start of the offseason, which leads us to believe they are waiting for the draft to make a move.

However, they might have to wait until the third round to land their future signal-caller since Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy could all be off the board before No. 12.

Denver might not feel comfortable reaching for someone like Michael Penix Jr. at No. 12. Penix and Bo Nix are both projected as second-round picks by Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department.

Spencer Rattler was Denver's projected pick in the third round in the latest mock draft from B/R's NFL scouting department.

Unless a trade occurs to land Denver a second-round pick, Rattler could be its best option at No. 76.

Cornerback

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 31: National defensive back Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo (7) during the National team practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on January 31, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cornerback is the top need that can be addressed at No. 12.

Denver needs a starter opposite Patrick Surtain Jr. and its spot in the first round should fill the void.

B/R's NFL scouting department predicted Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell would be Denver's choice at No. 12.

The Alabama duo of Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry could also be considered by the Broncos.

Missing out on the quarterback rush would hurt, but at least the Broncos could land a starter for many years on defense at No. 12.

Tight End

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 2: Brock Bowers #19 runs after making a catch during a game between University of Georgia and University of Alabama at Mercedes Benz Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

The Broncos need a tight end who can perform at a higher level than Greg Dulcich.

Brock Bowers is the top tight end in the draft, and he is not expected to drop out of the top 10, but if he falls to No. 12, Denver could have a fascinating decision to make.

If Bowers is the pick, Denver would have the Georgia product at tight end and a trio of Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds and Marvin Mims at wide receiver.

That would be a fascinating group of pass-catchers for a quarterback to work with, and it might elevate Stidham's play a bit.

A top-tier quarterback is the piece that makes Denver's offensive issues go away, but if it can't land that caliber of signal-caller, it could try to make the best of its situation by a top-tier talent to the pass-catching depth chart.

Denver could also fill this need later in the draft, but Bowers is the clear No. 1 tight end in the draft class and his availability would make for an intriguing conversation at No. 12.