What is the Broncos Next Move?

The big news in the NFL is the monster trade between the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears for QB Jay Cutler. To complete the trade the bears sent a 2009 first round draft choice (18th overall) a third round choice (84th overall) and a 2010 first round draft choice (the bears are hoping 32nd overall) along with QB Kyle Orton for QB Jay Cutler and a fifth round draft choice (149th overall).

The trade left the Bears solidified at the quarterback position, but lacking draft picks. It has also left the Broncos without that coveted “Franchise” quarterback and a ton of questions, but it has also left Denver with a plethora of choices that they can use to rebuild their team in head coach Josh McDaniels’ mould.

Of the questions Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen needs to answer, the first few should be: “What have I done? Was it a wise choice to give McDaniel all this power? Do I still have Mike Shanahan on speed dial?” Once those questions have been answered The Broncos front office will have to formulate a plan for the upcoming NFL Draft.

First off the Broncos need to decide if there is a franchise quarterback available in their draft range, or is one worth moving up for. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez might fit that bill, but will not be available when the Broncos select first at 12 overall. Denver may have to consider moving up in the draft to secure Mark Sanchez’ rights.

According to the draft value chart, the Denver Broncos have enough ammunition to pull off whatever trade is necessary. With the 12th (1200 pts.) and 18th (900 pts.) overall choices the Broncos can trade up with the Kansas City Chiefs to the 3rd overall choice (2200 pts.).

Why does this trade make sense? Denver suddenly finds themselves with Kyle Orton as their only viable option at QB, an upgrade is needed and if McDaniels doesn’t find one quickly he may find himself booed out of the Mile High City by season’s end. Pat Bowlen has spent years trying to find a replacement for John Elway, he found that in Cutler and in less than three months the new head coach ran him out of town.

Why will a trade with Kansas City work? Josh McDaniels has spent the last few years working with Kansas City’s new general manager Scott Pioli, both of whom left New England this offseason. The familiarity there will be helpful when striking the draft day deal.

From a draft perspective, this trade does a lot for the Broncos and severely limits what the Chicago Bears can do. The Bears obviously needed a quarterback, but they also needed cornerback, defensive end, safety and a wide receiver to go along with that and with no first or third round selection and a lone number two, they better hope Cutler can gel quickly with Devin Hester and former college teammate Earl Bennett.

As for the Broncos, like was said, they now have the ammunition to move up early in the draft to take Mark Sanchez or Matt Stafford depending on who falls. Or they could sit pretty at picks #12 and #18 and select some solid defensive players as something tells me that this deal was struck with Kyle Orton in mind so that Josh McDaniels can run the spread offense similar to how he did in New England with Matt Cassel and that he doesn't need a QB with a huge arm to get things done for him and the offense moving down the field.

I think that Denver will likely target guys to fit the 3-4 defence that they are trying to implement. I think B.J. Raji, Tyson Jackson and Aaron Maybin are some players that the Broncos will be looking at as they need a big body inside to keep blockers off of Andra Davis and D.J. Williams, and at the same time they need that tall, rangy five technique to occupy tackles and they also need the quintessential stand up outside pass rusher as well and these three guys should all be available when they are making their selections.

Though the trade with Kansas City is possible if Denver isn't satisfied with Orton, I just can't see it happening considering they chose to get a quarterback in this deal, not to mention a quarterback who is a starter with a winning record in the league. Though he isn't Jay Cutler by any stance, McDaniels may be able to turn him into what he wants and if so, the Broncos won't look totally stupid for making this move. Just pretty stupid.