Broncos' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets

The Denver Broncos are under pressure to make a splash with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Denver has one pick in the first two rounds because of the dreadful Russell Wilson trade and it needs to land a Rookie of the Year-caliber player.

The Broncos have a glaring need at quarterback, but with the inability to trade far up the draft order and the likelihood of four signal-callers chosen before No. 12, they should focus on defensive improvements on Thursday.

The AFC West side lacks difference-makers on the defensive line and there should be plenty of top defensive prospects available when the 12th pick rolls around.

Of course, quarterback is never out of the question because the NFL is driven by signal-callers, but the 12th pick might not be the right time to choose one.

Jared Verse

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) battles Florida Gators offensive lineman Damieon George Jr. (76) during the game between the Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles on November 25, 2023 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Broncos could be forced to win a handful of games in 2024 with their defense.

The offense carries plenty of questions, starting at quarterback, but those positions may not be fixed with the No. 12 overall pick.

Jared Verse is the perfect difference-making pickup the Broncos could make in the first round to reinforce their defensive line depth.

Verse produced nine sacks in each of his two seasons at Florida State and is considered the top edge-rusher in the draft class by Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department.

He could have a similar impact on the Broncos defense as their last defensive first-round pick, Patrick Surtain II.

If anything, the Broncos can build on their defensive foundation to potentially be competitive with a quarterback disadvantage in 2024.

Dallas Turner

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 02: Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) rushes on defense during a college football game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 02, 2023 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Verse may be rated as the top edge-rusher in the draft class, but Dallas Turner was more productive in college.

The Alabama product recorded 22.5 sacks in the SEC, including 10 in his final year with the Crimson Tide.

Turner could provide a similar impact off the edge as Verse for the Broncos, who need a dynamic player in the front seven.

The Broncos probably have two or three teams to worry about ahead of them when it comes to a defensive line need.

The Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 and Chicago Bears at No. 9 could go with defensive-minded picks. Most of the teams in the top 10 need offensive help and that could benefit Denver's quest for a game-changing defensive prospect.

Bo Nix

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 1: Bo Nix #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks for an open receiver during the Pac-12 Championship game against the Washington Huskies at Allegiant Stadium on December 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

The MMQB's Albert Breer reported on Tuesday that the Broncos "quietly did a lot of work on Oregon QB Bo Nix."

Denver is in a tough position when it comes to the quarterback hunt because the assumption is that J.J. McCarthy will not get past the Minnesota Vikings at No. 11 if no trades occur.

That leaves the Broncos with three options. They could take a defensive player at No. 12, reach on Nix, or trade down to collect more picks and wait on Nix.

Nix is the best of the rest in the quarterback class after Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and McCarthy.

He would be an upgrade over Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson, but he is not good enough to be the No. 12 pick in the eyes of many observers.

B/R's NFL scouting department predicted Nix would land at No. 34, while The Athletic's Dane Brugler landed him at No. 52.

A trade down to wait on Nix seems likely the best option if the Broncos love the Oregon quarterback, but they also need defensive help, so you see the conundrum that Sean Payton and his staff face.