The Broncos got to celebrate either way.
They were happy to get Utah edge Jonah Elliss at No. 76 overall on Friday night, but they were excited about the prospect of trading back and gathering picks had he not been available.
In fact, general manager George Paton thought the moment might have warranted celebrating considering head coach Sean Payton’s history of moving forward rather than in reverse during the draft.
“We were actually considering trading back and it would have been Sean’s first time maybe ever moving back,” Paton quipped. “We had a cake ready.”
Added Payton, “I was taking like 30 deep breaths.”
The Broncos had several players they liked on the board but opted for Elliss. They clearly think highly of him.
Saturday, though, is likely to involve wheeling and dealing. Denver has six picks — Nos. 121, 136, 145, 147, 207 and 256 — and the club figures to be busy right from the jump at 10 a.m.
“There’s a number of good players tomorrow and we have six picks,” Paton said. “We have flexibility. If there’s a player up at the top of the board we have the flexibility to go get him. And we can always move back. So the main thing is flexibility.
“Tomorrow is going to be fun.”
Here are some players the Broncos could target, organized by position.
WR Troy Franklin, Oregon: Put up massive numbers with Nix, including 81 catches for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. He’s slight at 6-foot-2 and 176 pounds, but the big-play ability is undeniable.
WR Javon Baker, UCF: Baker is a smooth operator who stood out at the Senior Bowl and had 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns on a whopping 21.9 yards per catch in 2023.
WR Cornelius Johnson, Michigan: Receivers not named Roman Wilson didn’t put up huge numbers in UM’s offense, but steady production three straight years doesn’t lie.
RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee: A walking explosive play. Averaged 7.4 yards per carry for the Vols in 2023. He ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at 5-11 and 210 pounds, posted a 38-inch vertical and an 11-2 broad jump.
RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin: One of the youngest players in the draft, Allen rushed for 3,494 yards (5.6 per carry) and 35 touchdowns in three collegiate seasons at 6-1 and 235.
RB Ray Davis, Kentucky: Lightning in space and brings enough thump to run between the tackles. Davis had one big season at UK, rushing for 1,129 yards and 14 TDs and adding seven receiving scores.
RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville: Big back who can fly (4.33 in the 40 at the combine) and spent several years at Wisconsin alongside now-Broncos defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard.
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas: It’s surprising Sanders is still on the board after he averaged 15.2 yards per catch as a junior. Doesn’t run particularly fast — 4.69-second 40-yard dash at the combine — but is dangerous in the receiving game at 6-4 and 250.
TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona: One of several mid-round tight end prospects with intriguing upside, McLachlan had 528 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
TE Erick All, Iowa: Has battled injuries in his career but when healthy he’s an all-around player. Had 299 yards and three TDs last year before a knee injury cut his season to seven games.
OTs Christian Jones (Texas), Javon Foster (Missouri) and Walter Rouse (Oklahoma): There are several veteran tackles available and it will be interesting to see if the Broncos like one of them enough to pick one — maybe as early as the fourth round — as a developmental player. This trio would fit the bill.
OL Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin: Super athletic interior lineman who played just about every position in college.
OL Hunter Nourzad, Penn State: Started 20 games at Cornell and then two years at Penn State and is another versatile player who can play multiple spots.
Edge Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State: Played just up the road in Fort Collins and all he did was produce. Kamara had 13 sacks in 2023 and 29.5 for his career and is somewhat surprisingly still available on Day 3.
DL Gabe Hall, Baylor: Big frame at 6-6 and 291. If the Broncos are thinking of further fortifying their front-line group on Day 3, he’d be an option.
DL Leonard Taylor, Miami: At 6-3 and 303, had his best year in 2022 (10.5 TFLs)
LB Cedric Gray, North Carolina: Athletic linebacker who can man the middle of the field. He racked up 266 tackles the past two years and had double-digit TFLs both seasons.
LB Jordan Magee, Temple: A Broncos visitor who’s also racked up tackles playing in the middle of the field for the Owls.
CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State: At 6-1 and 190, Tampa was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023. Started for the Cyclones for two years and had eight TFLs in addition to the coverage work.
CB Jarvis Brownlee, Louisville: Not the fasted guy in the class, but Brownlee is feisty at 5-11 and had a great week at the Senior Bowl earlier this year.
CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon: Spent two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Oregon in 2023. He shined in his lone season with the Ducks, recording 34 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions and seven passes defended in 12 starts.
CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CFL: A Broncos pre-draft visitor with a unique story. He never played college ball but is draft-eligible after a breakout performance in Canada. Intriguing late pick for somebody.
S Jaden Hicks, Washington State: Can do everything and is imposing at 6-2 and 215. He filled up the stat sheet in 2023, his third and final season, logging 79 tackles (six for loss), 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pair of picks while also blocking a kick.
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech: Short at 5-10 and 197 pounds, but this guy can play. He ran 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and racked up 33 passes defensed and 10 interceptions over the past three seasons.
S Dominique Hampton, Washington: Rangy player at 6-2 and 213 pounds. Hampton excelled at UW and racked up 109 tackles and two interceptions in 2023.
P Tory Taylor, Iowa: The lone specialist we’re putting on the list. Taylor is a potential weapon as a punter. The latest in a line of Australians to come through the college ranks, Taylor would be an interesting addition for a staff that clearly prioritizes special teams.
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