Broncos have “earned” No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, but they won’t keep it

With four games left in a miserable 2022 season, it finally happened.

The Broncos have lost so many football games they’ve “caught” the Bears for the second worst record in the NFL. Both teams are 3-10, but because Chicago’s strength of schedule is tougher, Denver currently holds the No. 2 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

But, you know the drill by now, the Broncos aren’t keeping that pick. It’s headed to Seattle as one of the final pieces from the Russell Wilson trade last March. General manager George Paton gave up two first-round picks (among a ton of other assets) to acquire Wilson. Both will end up being in the top-10, with the Seahawks selecting No. 9 overall last year and almost assuredly in the top-5 this year.

Fun stuff. But please tell me again this should result in no sweeping changes 🙄 pic.twitter.com/wfetZNOJC8

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) December 12, 2022

The Broncos do have a a couple of winnable games left on their schedule, so hopefully this can improve. In a lost season, normally you’re okay with defeats so the draft pick stays as high as possible. That’s not the case this year, as there’s no reason to want to give Pete Carroll and Seattle a better selection.

On Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High, the now 4-9 Cardinals come to town. Considering QB Kyler Murray suffered an unfortunate non-contact injury on Monday Night Football, Denver will see Colt McCoy. Even with the status of Wilson up in the air for the Broncos, that should be a win.

The following week is as interesting one, as Denver heads to Los Angeles to take on Baker Mayfield and the Rams on Christmas Day. L.A. showed some life with Mayfield last week, but much like the Broncos, they’re injury depleted and counting down the days until this year is over. That could be another victory.

Denver finishes with the Chiefs and the Chargers, both likely losses. If they get the two wins the next two games, that’d see them finish at 5-12. That would likely be enough to improve the pick from No. 2 overall, but not by much. Handing losses to the Cardinals and Rams would help the Broncos pass those two teams.

It’s all kind of a mess. And most of all pretty wild we have to dissect these scenarios. For now, though, Seattle can keep laughing — as they seemingly pulled off one of the biggest heists in NFL history.

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