It’s getting worse as Broncos currently sending Seahawks a top-5 draft pick
Nov 22, 2022, 10:58 AM
Every week, it’s looking more and more grim for the Broncos.
After losing to the Raiders 22-16 on Sunday in overtime, the team is in dead last in the AFC West. Denver’s 3-7 record is tied with Las Vegas, but Josh McDaniels somehow swept his former team and holds the tiebreaker. This actually means the Broncos currently have a better draft pick than the Raiders in 2023, but you’ll remember, they don’t get to make that selection.
Denver’s first-rounder is once again headed to Seattle, just like in 2022, thanks to the Russell Wilson trade. There will be no reward of a high draft pick for this brutal season. The Seahawks and Pete Carroll will get the last laugh on that one.
And, unfortunately, right now that pick would be No. 5 overall next spring. A top-5 pick is a major asset, and that’s what GM George Paton would be giving up if the season ended today. The Broncos are one of seven teams in the NFL with just three victories, joining the Raiders, Browns, Steelers, Rams Panthers and Bears. That’s the floor for the whole league in terms of wins, outside of the Texans, who are just 1-8-1. They’re firmly on track to pick No. 1 overall.
While Denver faces a fellow three-win team this coming Sunday in Carolina, the schedule gets tougher after that. Not only does a trip to Baltimore loom, but they still have to play the juggernaut Chiefs twice. Kansas City had a thrilling comeback win over the Chargers on last week, and certainly looks every bit like a Super Bowl team.
The Broncos catch a break that both the Cardinals (Dec. 18) and Rams (Christmas Day) appear to be mediocre at best and downright bad at worst. Both of those could be wins, or hopefully at least one. They’ll close in Week 18 at home against the Chargers, and those games are always funky. If neither team has anything to play for, it could be a lot of backups on the field.
None of this year has gone as planned. And gifting Seattle an excellent draft selection while they fight for a playoff berth would be a final kick in the gut. The Broncos need to start winning, and they need to start winning now. If not, the Wilson trade will get even more lopsided.
***