Quarterback Russell Wilson will officially be in the Broncos’ fold March 16, after the blockbuster trade agreed to Tuesday sent three players and five draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks.
So what’s next for general manager George Paton? Free agency and the draft. This team may have solved their quarterback issue, but other holes remain.
Free agency
The Broncos created roughly $8 million in cap space by trading quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive end Shelby Harris to the Seahawks. Wilson is currently due to count $24 million against the cap.
Paton has some money to work with and needs to add a pass rusher (to play opposite Bradley Chubb), right tackle (the Broncos have had 20 different starters in 10 years) and tight end (to replace Fant). Pass rusher and tight end should be the top two priorities on the veteran market.
Take Our Poll
(function(d,c,j){if(!d.getElementById(j)){var pd=d.createElement(c),s;pd.id=j;pd.src=’https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/plugins/polldaddy/js/polldaddy-shortcode.js’;s=d.getElementsByTagName(c)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(pd,s);} else if(typeof jQuery !==’undefined’)jQuery(d.body).trigger(‘pd-script-load’);}(document,’script’,’pd-polldaddy-loader’));
In-house, tight end Eric Saubert is scheduled to become a free agent and Paton said last week the Broncos had talked to his agents. He would fill the blocking tight end role, but a pass-catcher to join Albert Okwuegbunam is required.
At inside linebacker, the Broncos can probably afford to keep Josey Jewell or Alexander Johnson, but not both.
What will be interesting is if Wilson, like Peyton Manning during his Broncos career, can be effective in recruiting veterans to join the organization.
The Draft
The Broncos shipped first- and second-round picks in 2022-23 and a 2022 fifth-round selection to Seattle for Wilson and a fourth-round pick this year.
Because of the Von Miller trade to the Los Angeles Rams last November, Paton still has four picks in rounds 1-4 this year: The Rams’ second- and third-round picks, the Broncos’ third-rounder and the Seahawks’ fourth-rounder.
Remember, the Broncos did well in last year’s second and third rounds, adding running back Javonte Williams, right guard Quinn Meinerz and inside linebacker Baron Browning.
Right tackle would be the best option in the second round, an immediate plug-and-play starter.
— Ryan O’Halloran, The Denver Post
If you enjoy The Denver Post’s sports coverage, we have a new subscription offer for you! Try the first month for just 99¢
What’s on tap?
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Must-Read
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostQuarterback Russell Wilson (3) of the Seattle Seahawks watches the action from the sidelines during the first half of a game on August 7, 2014. The Denver Broncos hosted the Seattle Seahawks at Mile High in Denver.
Broncos Blockbuster: Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson acquired for three players, five draft picks
The Broncos re-entered NFL relevancy Tuesday morning by sending a package of three players and five draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks for Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson. Read more…
Steph Chambers, Getty ImagesRussell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lumen Field on Jan. 02, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.
Kiszla: With the biggest trade in Denver sports history since 1983, Broncos get quarterback Russell Wilson, the perfect antidote to boring football in our dusty old cowtown
While Green Bay was fawning and bowing to the demands of a diva, the Broncos got a quarterback capable of changing everything for the long-suffering football team in our dusty old cowtown.
In the exclusive club of elite NFL quarterbacks, Russell Wilson can’t match the four MVP awards in Aaron Rodgers’ trophy case. But not only is DangeRuss nearly five years younger than A-Rod, he figures to be way easier to live with in the long haul. Read more…
Stacy Revere, Getty ImagesRussell Wilson (3) of the Seattle Seahawks greets Aaron Rodgers (12) of the Green Bay Packers after the Packers defeated the Seahawks 28-23 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on Jan. 12, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Keeler: Who needs Aaron Rodgers? With Russell Wilson joining Broncos, Denver is a relevant, dangerous NFL town again.
Say this for Broncos’ general manager George Paton: He gets it. No more Teddy Bridgewaters. No more Joe Flaccos. No more Case Keenums. For the first time since Peyton Manning retired, a prime-time franchise with prime-time fans has a prime-time QB. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Broncos fans go through emotional ringer as Denver trades for Russell Wilson, immediately restoring playoff expectations
+ Where new Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson ranks among the NFL’s best since 2012
+ Russell Wilson joins list of quarterbacks traded after winning the Super Bowl
+ Broncos’ Super Bowl LVII odds: What sportsbooks think of Denver’s chances after agreeing to Russell Wilson trade
+ Six biggest trades in Colorado sports history after Broncos trade for Russell Wilson
+ Broncos trade for Russell Wilson: How the sports world reacted on Twitter
+ PHOTOS: Russell Wilson’s quarterback (and baseball) career through the years
+ Want to chat about the Broncos? Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook.
Ask the Expert
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Tap here to ask Ryan O’Halloran.
By The Numbers
Ep. 219
Broncos podcast: Breaking down the blockbuster trade for quarterback Russell Wilson
In this packed edition of the 1st & Orange podcast, Denver Post sportswriters Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran break down the Broncos’ blockbuster trade for Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. Listen here…
Parting Shot
Bill Mitchell, Four Seam Images via AP ImagesRussell Wilson #98 of the Colorado Rockies works out at the Rockies spring training complex at Salt River Fields on March 13, 2011, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Rockies believed Russell Wilson had shot as major-league second baseman
Broncos fans are no doubt certain Russell Wilson will look great in orange, but he might have looked good in Rockies purple, too.
“He was a good kid and a good athlete and I thought he had a chance,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said Tuesday after news broke that the star quarterback had been shipped from the Seattle Seahawks to the Broncos in a blockbuster trade. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.
Article Source and Credit denverpost.com https://www.denverpost.com/2022/03/09/broncos-insider-russell-wilson-george-paton/ Buy Tickets for every event – Sports, Concerts, Festivals and more buytickets.com
