Schefter: The Broncos didn’t give up too much in Russell Wilson trade
Mar 8, 2022, 2:04 PM
The instant reaction to the Broncos trading for Russell Wilson was euphoria. Fans were ecstatic, thrilled that the six-year nightmare at quarterback was finally over.
The next question on everyone’s mind, however, was simple: What did Denver have to give up to get the future Hall of Fame quarterback?
It didn’t take long to get the answer. In the end, George Paton sent two first-round picks, two second-rounders, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris and Drew Lock to Seattle for Wilson.
That’s seven total players. It’s a lot.
But was it too much? Not according to ESPN’s NFL insider, Adam Schefter.
“It’s a lot to give up, but at the same time, you (have to) get a quarterback,” Schefter said during a Tuesday radio appearance with Zach Bye and Brandon Stokley. “Who are you going to get this offseason to keep up with (Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr?”
He’s right. The Broncos play in a division loaded with good to great quarterbacks. They had to find a way to keep up.
“It’s a steep price,” Schefter added. “But Drew Lock? Fine. Shelby Harris? Don’t want to lose him, but okay. Noah Fant is a luxury on an offense that has a lot of weapons. You don’t want to lose good, young talent. But I’m okay with all of that.”
As for the draft picks, giving up for premium picks is a lot. But Schefter put that in perspective.
“Go back and look at Denver’s ones and twos over the last decade and tell me if you’d trade those players for Russell Wilson,” he added. “The answer is yes.”
Well, let’s confirm. Here’s a look at the Broncos first- and second-round picks since 2012:
First-Round Picks
2013 – Sylvester Williams
2014 – Bradley Roby
2015 – Shane Ray
2016 – Paxton Lynch
2017 – Garett Bolles
2018 – Bradley Chubb
2019 – Noah Fant
2020 – Jerry Jeudy
2021 – Patrick Surtain
Second-Round Picks
2012 – Derek Wolfe
2012 – Brock Osweiler
2013 – Montee Ball
2014 – Cody Latimer
2015 – Ty Sambrailo
2016 – Adam Gotsis
2017 – Demarcus Walker
2018 – Courtland Sutton
2019 – Dalton Risner
2019 – Drew Lock
2020 – K.J. Hamler
2021 – Javonte Williams
Fair point. Draft picks can be vastly overrated. Just ask the Los Angeles Rams, who repeatedly “mortgaged their future” and wound up with a Lombardi Trophy.
“It’s up to Seattle to make those picks count,” Schefter added. “And it’s up to Russell Wilson to be the type of quarterback that he’s been throughout his 10-year career, when he’s gone to nine Pro Bowls and lead Seattle to it’s one Super Bowl win and put together a Hall of Fame career.”
That’ll ultimately determine who “won” the trade. But for now, the Broncos have to be ecstatic with the deal.
“This is another quarterback who will wind up in Canton that Denver will get in the second half of his career,” Schefter said. “It worked out great for Denver the first time. They’ll be just as happy if it works out that well the second time.”
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