Clayton: Another team is now competing with the Broncos to draft a QB
Apr 16, 2021, 1:04 PM
Add Chicago to the number of teams trying to trade up for one of the five first-round quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Andy Dalton is the Bears starter. Nick Foles is still on their roster, but Chicago is looking to get their quarterback of the future.
They tried like crazy to trade for Russell Wilson, but that was never going to happen. They were willing to give up three first-round picks, cornerback Kyle Fuller and a top defensive starter.
The Seahawks were never going to trade Wilson because of $39 million hit of dead money on their cap. They would have gone from a Super Bowl contender into a team that would have to go into a rebuilding model for a couple of years. Pete Carroll didn’t sign a five-year contract extension for that future.
Plus, the 20th pick in the first round isn’t all that attractive. The Bears have the 20th pick.
Adding Wilson would’ve made the Bears a Super Bowl contender. Thus, their next two first-rounders will most likely be toward the bottom of the first round.
No deal.
If the Broncos would consider trading down with the Bears, they would also think No. 20 would be too low. That might be the same with the Washington Football Team (No. 19), who would want to trade up for Trey Lance. That’s why trading with the New England Patriots would make more sense. They have the 15th pick.
At No. 15, Denver can get one of the top five defensive players in this draft. At No. 15, the Broncos can get one of the four best offensive tackles. Though the Broncos don’t need a receiver, they could get the third-best wide receiver in this year’s class.
Of course, none of the trade conversations mean anything if the Broncos can’t come up with a quarterback to challenge Drew Lock. Teddy Bridewater, who has the permission of the Carolina Panthers to talk to teams willing to trade for him, Alex Smith and possibly Gardner Minshew remain options. Minshew is under contract in Jacksonville, but he’s now the third quarterback.
The clock is ticking. If the Broncos can’t get a veteran quarterback, they probably would have to draft one.
