What national experts predict Denver will do

The NFL draft is about a month away and the Broncos have plenty of directions they could go with the No. 12 pick.

But if this week’s roundup of mock drafts is any indication where George Paton and Sean Payton are looking, it’s at one position: Quarterback. Eleven of the 17 analysts are projecting the Broncos are taking a QB in the first round.

Here’s a look at who national draftniks are thinking will land in Denver.

CBS Sports | Josh Edwards | Updated March 21

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

“Denver has bigger needs, beginning with quarterback, but the board probably pushes the Broncos toward this route. Patrick Surtain II and Terrion Arnold would be a fun pairing,” Edwards writes. See the full mock draft.

NFL.com | Daniel Jeremiah | Updated March 19

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

“I know tight end is not a pressing need for the Broncos, but this is a ‘best player available’ situation. They can deploy Bowers in the slot, similar to the way Sean Payton utilized Michael Thomas in New Orleans,” Jeremiah writes. See the full mock draft.

USA Today | Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz | Updated March 12

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

“Given that riding things out with Jarrett Stidham seems like a highly questionable move for Sean Payton in Year 2, a quarterback has to be in play either here or the second round. In this case, however, the Broncos stick to the value equation and provide their future starting passer with a significant weapon in Bowers, who should quickly establish himself as a major threat after the catch,” Middlehurst-Schwartz writes. See the full mock draft.

CBS Sports | Tom Fornelli | Updated March 22

Note: Broncos trade No. 12 (and more) to Bears for No. 9 pick

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michgan

“The Bears would love to add more draft picks after parting with multiple in recent trades, so they listen when Denver calls looking to move up. As for Denver, there’s been a significant overhaul of the roster, and there’s a gaping hole at QB. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy strikes me as a prospect Sean Payton could be intrigued by,” Fornelli writes. See the full mock draft.

CBS Sports | Eric Galko | Updated March 26

Note: Broncos trade No. 12 (and more) to Cardinals for No. 4 pick

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

“Many expect the Vikings to trade up for a quarterback, but few realize the urgency in Denver. This trade leaves the Broncos with very few assets for the future, but people in Denver feel they’re closer than most think to winning. If they want to move up, they have to trade into the top four, as the Chargers won’t be trading with a division rival,” Galko writes. See the full mock draft.

CBS Sports | Chris Trapasso | Updated March 26

Note: Broncos trade No. 12 pick (and more) to Cardinals for No. 4 pick

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

“The Broncos don’t have as much ammo to ascend the draft board as the Vikings do, but to me, they’re more desperate, especially GM George Paton,” Trapasso writes. See the full mock draft.

Yahoo Sports | Charles McDonald and Nate Tice | Updated March 21

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

“Mitchell’s stock is soaring throughout this draft cycle, and deservedly so (he’s the No. 1 defender on my big board). He has very good body control, burst and ball skills to stay sticky in coverage and make plays on the ball. That showed up at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and with his excellent testing day in Indianapolis. The Broncos need a ton of help throughout their roster, and will likely be eyeing the trenches, but pairing Mitchell with the best cornerback in the NFL in Pat Surtain II could at least give Denver one position unit to hang its hat on,” Tice writes. See the full mock draft.

USA Today | Nate Davis | Updated March 19

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

“They were only too willing to eat Russell Wilson’s high-calorie contract, but Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci seem like a crash diet. Nix has the accuracy – yes, some of his record 77.5% completion rate in 2023 was juiced by the Ducks’ offense – coach Sean Payton values, plus a nose for the goal line (38 rushing TDs in five college seasons). And with an FBS-record 61 starts under his belt, rookie passers don’t come much more plug-and-play than Nix would,” Davis writes. See the full mock draft.

Sports Illustrated | Luke Easterling | Updated March 21

Note: Broncos trade No. 12 pick to Dallas for Nos. 24 and 56

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

“Trading down from the No. 12 spot netted Denver a much-needed second-round pick, and in this scenario, they’re still able to land their quarterback of the future without reaching quite as much. Nix might not have the elite upside of this year’s top passers, but his combination of experience and efficiency would be a great fit for Sean Payton,” Easterling writes. See the full mock draft.

Other Broncos picks:

• Second round, 56th overall pick: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
• Third round, 76th overall pick: Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami (Fla.)
• Fourth round, 121st overall pick: Xavier Thomas, edge, Clemson

The Sporting News | Vinnie Iyer | Updated March 19

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

“The Broncos are down to Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on their QB depth chart after moving Russell Wilson. Much like the Commanders, Patriots, and Vikings, they are screaming to everyone they will draft a potential franchise passer for Sean Payton. They seem to like Nix’s arm and athleticism, which fits their draft position,” Iyer writes. See the full mock draft.

ESPN | Mel Kiper Jr. | Updated March 19