The Broncos explored multiple trades during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, including a blockbuster move into the top-10 for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
Denver made no secret of their desire to add a running back during the lead-up to the draft, but the price to trade up was ultimately too high. Snagging Jeanty likely would have required the fifth overall pick considering his pre-draft links to the Raiders, who owned the next selection. Moving up 15 slots from the No. 20 pick could have cost multiple future first-rounders, which was likely a non-starter for the Broncos after losing their top picks in 2022 and 2023 to the ill-fated Russell Wilson trade.
Instead, Denver stood pat at No. 20 and selected Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, who was widely seen as the best player on the board. Terry Joseph, Barron’s defensive pass game coordinator at Texas and cousin of Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, endorsed the versatile defensive back, per Fowler, giving the team even more confidence in their pick.
The Broncos were also interested in Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who went off the board one pick before they were on the clock. Had neither Egbuka nor Barron been available, the Broncos were prepared to trade back for a running back in the first round, discussing terms with the Texans for their pick at No. 25.
In that case, Denver’s target likely would have been another former Buckeye in TreVeyon Henderson, who went to the Patriots with the 38th pick before the Broncos were back on the board. They pivoted to UCF running back R.J. Harvey with their next pick at the end of the second round, allowing them to come away from the draft with a coveted running back without a costly trade up in the first round.
Why is this even a story? The considered it and didn’t do it. I considered having steak for dinner tonight but did not. Is the food network going to write an article about that?
If they do then some guy will probably take the time to complain about how it was a waste of time to read.
It’s a follow up to the rumors. Originally Broncos were reportedly interested in trading up for Jeanty. Then Sean Payton “admitted” to participating in a diversion that the Broncos were interested in trading up. Which I took as a smokescreen because almost everything he says before the draft is the opposite of realty.
There is a full series of these useless stories.
Team A says they were going to sign free agent x. But they didn’t.
Team C says they were ready to trade for player delta from Team B, except Team E actually made the trade.
Team Zulu says they were ready to draft player Y only some other team did.
This is called hack writing filler.
It’s much like the endless articles Google thinks I should read about what Free Agents my favorite team should try to sign after muffing the draft.
Why complain about it? Just skip what you dont want to read. I personally enjoyed the article.
Yes, written by Chef Antonia Lofaso.
I considered McDonald’s, but ended up at Burger King
The flame broiled all the fixin’s BK Whopper & Crispy (or Classic) Chicken sandwich is superior to any McD’s burger offering. When I was a kid dad would go to BK for a Whopper then McD’s for their genetically modified crack fries.
But when I moved to SoCal for college, sorry McD’s & BK, In-N-Out Burger rules them all!!
“which was likely a non-starter for the Broncos after losing their top picks in 2022 and 2023 to the ill-fated Russell Wilson trade.”
Between Wilson, Watson, Trey Lance and (we’ll see, maybe) Bryce Young…4 of the 7 or so worst trades in NFL history are recent.
GM’s without franchise QB’s get incel level desperate and irrational.
Sort of sounds like a reporter trying to justify their own pre-draft prediction(s).
How about asking EVERY GM what trades they considered/offered?