Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has dropped a big hint about who he might pick in the 2024 NFL Draft despite the challenges that may present themselves by ;picking outside the top 10.
The Broncos, who have the No. 12 overall pick, are expected to choose a quarterback given the options on the roster are currently Ben DiNucci and Jarrett Stidham after releasing Russell Wilson.
However Caleb Williams from USC, Drake Maye from North Carolina and Jayden Daniels from LSU are expected to be selected in the top three on draft night in Detroit and that could force Payton's hand to move up the board for the consensus fourth quarterback prospect in the class - J.J. McCarthy.
Internet detectives found out that Payton started following Michigan's McCarthy on X, formerly Twitter. And a quick look at McCarthy's account showed that he followed Payton back.
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The Broncos have been doing their homework on McCarthy, who's been climbing up the draft boards recently. Even though Payton couldn't make it to the 21 year old's Pro Day on March 22, he and Denver got a good look at the QB during a work out.
"I wasn't at J.J.'s pro day, but we had a private the next day where we sent him a bunch of information, spent four or five hours with him, just made him throw all over again," Payton told reporters at the annual NFL meeting at the end of March. "I think it's all part of the process. I think it can lead to a more efficient and effective decision."
McCarthy is a tough quarterback to judge in this year's draft. He's shown he can win, with a 27-1 record as Michigan's starter and a 34-13 victory over Washington in his last college game.
But the Wolverines' offence didn't really focus on McCarthy, instead they relied on a strong running game led by halfback Blake Corum.
McCarthy's 332 pass attempts in 2023 is much lower than other quarterbacks in this year's class, even though he played more games. The Broncos know they might need to trade up to get him from where they are now.
J.J McCarthy finished 27-1 as Michigan's starting quarterback (CFP/Getty Images)Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr seem to be the only other possible first round choices and it would be a stretch for either to be picked in the top 12. However the Broncos seem to like what they've seen from McCarthy.
"It felt like we had a really good handle as to who was available,'' Payton said at the league meetings, per ESPN. "Certainly, I think we're at a place other quarterbacks would like to come to, and yet we weren't just going to sign a quarterback to sign one. We will be smart about our thoughts relative to who's coming in and most importantly what the vision is for the player.''
After releasing Wilson last month, the Broncos quarterback room currently features DiNucci and Stidham, who started for Denver in the last two games of the 2023 season. Payton insisted, however, that the latter will "compete" for the starting job with "other candidates."
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