BRONCOS

Friend to foes: 49ers control Denver’s draft, who could the Broncos pick?

Nov 1, 2022, 2:34 PM | Updated: 2:49 pm

John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan and Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers, are chock-full of Denver Broncos ties.

It’s to the point where they might as well be the Bay Area Broncos or Denver fans’ NFC teams. But any real Broncos fan is no longer favorable to the 49ers the rest of the way. The Broncos got their hands on San Francisco’s 2023 first-round pick in Tuesday’s trade for Bradley Chubb. That pick was sent to Miami along with two others for what ended up being San Francisco’s selection of Trey Lance. The Dolphins used the other two picks on Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill.

The third pick is currently pegged in at No. 20 due to the 49ers’ 4-4 record. But due to the recent trade for McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel still getting over an injury, it’s expected that the selection may slide. But it’ll also be bumped up one spot if Miami finishes worse than San Fran because the Dolphins will have to forfeit their pick due to tampering. Say the Dolphins finish with the 25th pick and the 49ers the 30th; in reality, the Broncos will then own the 29th selection in the draft.

That pick is huge, considering Denver does not own their own selection this coming draft, which was sent to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade.

So what prospects around 20 and lower are currently on the board?

Jaelyn Duncan, an offensive tackle from Maryland; Antonio Johnson, a safety from Texas A&M; Hendon Hooker, a quarterback from Tennessee; Noah Sewell, a linebacker from Oregon; Kayshon Boutte, a wideout from LSU; Tyree Wilson, an edge from Texas Tech, Bijan Robinson a running back from Texas and Clark Phillips III a cornerback from Utah are all names worth watching.

The Broncos will likely target help on the offensive line, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team go for a linebacker or another target for Wilson.

No matter which way Denver goes, Broncos fans can look forward to the team adding a blue-chip rookie into the fold come April. This is an exciting prospect for a team 3-5 that’ll be looking for good, young, cheap talent around Wilson.

***

Broncos

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) looks to the crowd during...

Cecil Lammey

Who does former Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr think they should draft?

The Denver Broncos may not be able to move up for the quarterback they love in the 2024 NFL draft. Should they draft the next best available, or should they look to cornerback or playmaking tight end? Watch Orange and Blue Today as Cecil Lammey is joined by special guest Chris Harris Jr! Follow @CecilLammey

16 hours ago

Jaden Hicks...

Cecil Lammey

The Broncos can find safety depth on day two and three of the draft

With Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson no longer in Denver, the Broncos need to restock the cupboard in the back of their secondary

17 hours ago

Sean Payton and George Paton at their Broncos NFL Draft press conference Broncos trade up...

Andrew Mason

Broncos ‘wide open’ for trade up in the first round

Trading up remains a possibility, Broncos coach Sean Payton said, with George Paton affirming that some trades up are worth the risk.

1 day ago

George Paton J.J. McCarthy...

Andrew Mason

George Paton: Round 1 isn’t the only place where Broncos can find a quarterback

During his time with the Vikings, the Broncos general manager watched as Minnesota missed on two first-round QBs, changing his thinking

2 days ago

Sean Payton George Paton Broncos...

Will Petersen

Sean Payton, George Paton asked directly if Broncos will take QB

"If we had the tip sheets as to who everyone else was taking it'd be easier to answer that question," Broncos head coach Sean Payton said

2 days ago

Courtland Sutton...

Will Petersen

ESPN suggests Broncos could use Courtland Sutton to trade up

This mock is a bit quirky, as Bill Barnwell proposes a trade for every team, but he sees the Broncos with potential to get to No. 4 overall

2 days ago

Friend to foes: 49ers control Denver’s draft, who could the Broncos pick?