NFL Draft 2011: How Can the Denver Broncos Trade out of the No. 2 Pick?

As the 2011 NFL Draft draws closer and the end of the lockout seems farther away, teams are coming to terms with the realization that the draft is their only real chance to make a difference on their roster.

This makes things very interesting for the Denver Broncos, who hold the second pick in this year’s draft.

Interesting because there are so many different scenarios that can play out for the Broncos, one of which is the possibility of trading down from the second position as was reported by Pro Football Talk and Mike Klis as a possibility.

The lack of a clear-cut overall No.1 pick means that teams could be as motivated to move into the second spot for the player they think can be a home run for them.

Therefore, it is worth exploring the potential trade partners for the Broncos. For the purposes of this piece, it must be noted that any trade would have to involve nothing but draft picks per the current rules of the lockout.

However, who those picks could turn into might go a long way to shaping the roster of the Broncos for years to come.

So let’s start the draft and with the No. 1 pick the Carolina Panthers take Marcell Dareus out of Alabama. Let the scramble for Cam Newton begin!

Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Chan Gailey, head coach of the Buffalo Bills stands on the sidelines during a timeout against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo b

The Scenario: If the Carolina Panthers take Marcell Dareus with the No. 1 overall pick then the Buffalo Bills might be eager to trade up for the second pick in order to secure Cam Newton.

This isn’t because they are fooled by the Broncos feigning interest in the QB (reports in the Buffalo News have already proven that point) but rather to keep others from jumping in to take him.

What Would They Give Up? It probably wouldn’t take much for the Bills to convince the Broncos to move down one space in the draft if nobody else was interested in the pick, but considering that Buffalo will have to outbid others, then they will most likely have to part with the third pick, the 68th pick and the 122nd to land Cam Newton.

Who Do the Broncos Take?

3. OLB Von Miller

68. DT Kendrick Ellis: The Broncos have to like the size of a player like Ellis, who could be a solid interior presence for the Broncos right away.

122. TE DJ Williams: Big, fast receiver with the size to help in protection and the hands to make plays down the field.

Will it happen? The Buffalo Bills don’t seem to be in love with Cam Newton enough to part with that many picks in order to secure his services.

They might be just as happy to call the rest of the league's bluff and see if he falls into their lap at three anyway, and if not they won’t be sad with the choices still remaining to help fill the holes in their roster.

Cincinnati Bengals

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals passes against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens lead the Bengals 6-0 at the half. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The Scenario: Prior to the draft, Carson Palmer has made good on his promise and has started to file the papers for retirement. Cincinnati is now left with no clear starting quarterback option and is desperate to make Cam Newton the new face of the franchise.

What Would They Give Up? Again it is pretty safe to assume that the threat of other teams making a better offer will force the Bengals to part with their first two or three draft picks in 2011 which would be the fourth, 35th and 101st picks in the draft.

Who Do the Broncos Take?

4. DT Nick Fairley

35. OLB Brooks Reed: Missing out on Von Miller in the first round means that the Broncos can take this dynamic player out of Arizona right before they take Rahim Moore at safety with their 36th pick and add a lot of depth to the defense with their first three picks.

101. DT Sione Fua: The problems with the defensive line can’t be solved with just one DT, and Fua would be a perfect complement to Fairley and might create a solid one-two punch for years to come.

Will It Happen? The odds of Carson Palmer actually making a move that drastic in April is unlikely and Mike Brown will most likely not do anything to make Palmer believe that they are taking his threats seriously.

Plus, the general consensus around Cincinnati is that AJ Green is the man to replace TO and Ochocinco, and they are pretty confident that he is going to be available at four, regardless of trades that might move teams ahead of them.

San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 07: Jim Harbaugh speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the new San Francisco 49ers head coach at the Palace Hotel on January 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Scenario: Jim Harbaugh has decided that Alex Smith is not the man to help him turn the tide in San Francisco and when he sees that Cam Newton is still on the board at two, he tells the Niners brass that Newton is his man and to make it happen.

What Would They Give Up? It is almost a certainty that the Broncos would require three picks to move down to the seventh spot and therefore the Niners would be surrendering the seventh, 45th and 108th picks.

Who Do the Broncos Take?

7. DT Da’Quan Bowers

45. ILB Martez Wilson: There was a time that the Broncos linebacking trio was as good as any in the league. Wilson could pair with DJ Williams to make that true once again.

108. OG John Moffitt: The Broncos cannot completely ignore the offensive line, and Moffitt comes from a traditional power running attack, which is something that the Broncos sorely need to get back to.

Will It Happen? Of all the scenarios out there, this one seems to make the most sense for a variety of reasons. First, the 49ers are ready to win their division next year with minimal additions to their roster, which means they don’t need to look for depth in the draft like other teams.

Second, this is a team in need of face that makes them marketable and relevant again in the national media and Newton fits that bill.

Third and finally, the SF Chronicle has reported that Cam Newton scores very highly in the “Montana Factor” and in that town, scoring high on that test means everything.

Conclusion

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers looks on against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

The Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s proved that a dynasty can be made through the draft but it is easier said than done.

The Denver Broncos would do well to try and extract as much value out of this draft as possible, but this offseason is unlike any other with the lockout hindering teams abilities to sign free agents and trade roster players.

There is the potential for some movement on draft day, but the odds are that teams are going to be very hesitant to make deals when so much is going to be made of every pick, considering it is the only appreciable change that can be made to a team's roster at the moment. 

Still, the Panthers will be the ones who dictate how this thing plays out and they could very well pass on Cam Newton and watch the insanity that ensues as a result. So stay tuned Denver fans, this one is far from decided.