Adam Schefter says the Denver Broncos have inquired about trading up in first round

With the NFL Draft just days away, not many teams have expressed interest in trading up in the first round, but the Denver Broncos could be a team to make some noise if the right opportunity presents itself

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

Apr 21, 2025, 12:50 PM Updated: 12:59 pm

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The 2025 NFL Draft is just three days away, and the Denver Broncos currently hold onto the 20th overall pick in the first round. For the first time in a long time, the Broncos are not chasing a quarterback in the draft, and could have their eyes set on an offensive weapon to help Bo Nix’s development as his sophomore campaign. The Broncos have been connected to running backs and tight ends in Thursday’s draft, and could possibly make a move to get their guy.

On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared various draft notes and intel that he has been hearing around the league, and had this to say about the Broncos.

“There has been, however, a lack of teams willing to trade up — at least so far. Denver is one of those: The Broncos have made inquiries about moving up in Round 1, according to sources. But there aren’t many others. This always could change when players start falling and teams are on the clock.”

Two names that jump off the page as potential trade-up candidates for the Broncos are Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.

For Jeanty, the 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up, he recently mentioned that the Broncos are a team that he has spoken too a lot in the pre-draft process. It is very likely that Jeanty will be gone by the time the 20th pick rolls around, so he would make sense as a candidate for Denver. In 2024, he had 2,601 rushing yards on 374 carries, 29 of which he took to the house.

If head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton are more focused at getting Nix some more help at the tight end position, then Loveland would be the best option for Denver. Just last week, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah mentioned how the Broncos trading up for Loveland had his ears “perked up.”

Jeremiah then went on the Mina Kimes Show and said, “Colston Loveland, the Broncos have long been connected to having — no pun intended — a love affair with Loveland.”

If only the Broncos had practices up with the Colorado Eagles at Blue Arena, this would make for a perfect storm for the Michigan product.

Loveland didn’t play in three of the Wolverines’ 13 games this season (two for injury, one for bowl opt-out), but still managed to record 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns. Standing at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Loveland would be used more as an in-line tight end, which would complement Evan Engram’s skillset of being lined up as a stand-up wide receiver more than a traditional tight end.

The last pass-catcher named Colston in Sean Payton’s offense had six 1,000-yard seasons in a seven-year span, won a Super Bowl, and finished his career just a few-hundred yards short of the 10,000 yard mark.

Who would be a good team for Denver to trade up with? Schefter identified the Jaguars, Panthers, 49ers, Falcons, Seahawks and Buccaneers all as teams that could be in the market to trade down. ESPN’s most recent mock draft with Mel Kiper and Field Yates had Jeanty going at No. 6 to the Raiders and Loveland going at No. 14 to the Colts. This would mean that Denver would have to give a steep package to Jacksonville to leap up to the fifth spot if they want to secure Jeanty, but would only need to jump to No. 11 in a swap with the 49ers if Loveland is really who they’re after.

Given how deep the running back class is this year, paying a high price for Jeanty might not be the best move for Paton & Co. when Thursday rolls around. They could potentially have North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton fall into their lap at No. 20, or could even trade back into the second round and get a running back then. The most plausible trade-up option for the orange and blue is Loveland, as the tight end class is not as plentiful as the running back class, and the team would be able to trade away fewer assets to go chase him.

Payton has historically been aggressive in terms of trading up in the draft during his time in New Orleans, and this year’s draft with Denver could provide him the right opportunity to do so again.