Analyst predicts surprise blockbuster Broncos, Patriots draft trade

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated teased earlier this month that the Denver Broncos could make a "pretty aggressive" trade related to the NFL Draft after they parted ways with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson.

Pro Football Focus lead NFL analyst Sam Monson went one step further and predicted among his latest "surprises" for the upcoming draft that the Broncos will send overall picks No. 12 and No. 76 this year along with a 2025 first-round selection to the New England Patriots to move up to choice No. 3. Denver could then acquire LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels. 

"Head coach Sean Payton blew up the status quo in Denver by determining early that Russell Wilson wasn’t the answer, and the team is now eating the largest dead cap hit in NFL history to move on from him," Monson explained. "Payton needs the next guy, and the next guy needs to be a better option than Wilson was, or else Payton will look extremely reckless."

Monson's idea is interesting but potentially flawed. For starters, the Washington Commanders currently hold the draft's second pick and are expected by many to spend it on Daniels assuming the Chicago Bears take USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams first overall. 

It's unclear if Denver would try to move up to No. 3 for either North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines. 

As for New England, numerous analysts and reporters are convinced the Patriots won't trade down for anything other than a so-called "Godfather offer." 

According to Jason Ounpraseuth of NESN, Patriots insider Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported last week that people within the organization say "it's going to take a lot more than" three first-round draft picks to get the club to trade the third selection. That could, however, change if Washington takes the quarterback New England truly wants. 

It's also worth noting that Denver could stay at pick No. 12 and use that asset to draft either Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. or Oregon Ducks signal-caller Bo Nix. Then again, ESPN's Jeff Legwold thinks the Broncos could trade down and target Penix or Nix later in the draft's first round. 

"I wouldn’t be shocked if they find a way of trading up to No. 3 overall for the guy Payton covets," Monson added about the Broncos. 

The identity of that guy is a mystery heading into the second weekend of April.