2021 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos-Miami Dolphins trade is possible
The 2021 NFL Draft is less than two hours away and we’re all about to find out if any big trades are going to go down. Quarterbacks are often the catalyst for those trades, and that could be no different on Thursday night.
Although trades are not widely expected to go down because teams are trying to hang onto their 2022 NFL Draft picks, we could see some teams jump up for quarterbacks and one of those teams could be the Denver Broncos, currently slated to pick 9th overall in the first round.
If the Denver Broncos and new general manager George Paton want to ensure they get whatever quarterback they are targeting after the Atlanta Falcons at 4 and Cincinnati Bengals at 5, they could call Chris Grier and the Miami Dolphins.
As a matter of fact, at Paton’s pre-draft press conference, he noted that he’s already had a talk with Grier ahead of the Draft.
"I spoke to [Dolphins General Manager] Chris [Grier] yesterday, but he wasn’t giving me any words of wisdom. We’re kind of competing.Broncos GM George Paton (via Broncos PR)"
Although the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins could come together for any number of trades on draft weekend, the first round included. The Dolphins hold the 6th overall pick and 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and the 6th overall pick would be a prime spot for the Broncos to move up and get either Justin Fields or Trey Lance if they don’t think they’ll get to the 9th spot.
The Dolphins wouldn’t have to move down very far from 6th overall with the Broncos and would still be able to get an Alabama receiver or one of Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater with the 9th overall pick while picking up additional selections in the process.
One reason this trade makes a ton of sense? It could prevent the New England Patriots — the Dolphins’ division rivals — from making a play up the draft board for their own quarterback of the future.
It would be some incredible defense by former Patriots assistant coach Brian Flores to trade his pick to the Broncos so the Patriots can’t get one of Fields or Lance.
It would also be fascinating for Paton to make this move as a first-time general manager in the league. Often when NFL teams hire new general managers or head coaches, we see major changes at the quarterback position.
Paton struck a deal with the Carolina Panthers the day before the draft for Teddy Bridgewater, one of the players he had a hand in drafting when he was an assistant with the Minnesota Vikings. While he was with the Vikings, Paton never had a top-10 pick at the quarterback position.
He could have one in his first year on the job in Denver, and his pal Chris Grier in Miami might be able to help him out.