There were rumors floating about at the Senior Bowl in Alabama this week surrounding the Denver Broncos. This included the team potentially looking to trade up for one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft class in that of USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
While that seems highly unlikely given Denver’s lack of assets after trading for head coach Sean Payton and Russell Wilson, quarterback is still going to be a target position in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In speaking to media from the Senior Bowl, Tulane’s Michael Pratt said that he’s already had a couple interviews with the Broncos in Mobile.
Pratt obviously isn’t of the same reputation as Williams and Maye. But the 6-foot-2 signal caller is gaining steam at this early stage in the pre-draft process. He could end up being a surprise late first-round selection or a second-round pick once the annual event comes calling.
- Michael Pratt college stats: 61% completion, 9,611 yards, 1,147 rushing yards, 118 TD 26, INT
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Denver Broncos could add surprise QB in NFL Draft
It’s almost a foregone conclusion that Wilson will be released by Denver before the start of the new league year in March. He was benched late in the season despite the Broncos still being in playoff contention. Sean Payton and Co. are looking to go in another direction.
In this scenario, the Broncos add another veteran quarterback to the mix that fits Payton’s system better. They also double down with a young quarterback somewhat early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Denver is slated to pick 12th in the draft. Its next selection won’t come until No. 76 overall. Short of moving someone like star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the team doesn’t have that ammo to trade up. He’s not being traded.
Instead, the Broncos could look to collect more assets by moving down in the first round. This would enable them to potentially add Pratt to the mix without it being seen as too much of a reach.
The quarterback does seem to fit what Payton likes to do on offense.
“Pratt’s elite competitive toughness will always be a plus, and he does have enough arm elasticity to work off-platform in spurts — but he won’t elevate offenses off of his physical talent alone,” scouting report on Michael Pratt.
Sounds somewhat similar to former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. That is to say, his competitive toughness and ability to make off-platform passes. These two things defined Brees career under Payton in New Orleans.
The interest makes sense in this regard.