Broncos Pick ‘Em: What would you give up to acquire Russell Wilson?

After an underwhelming year, Russell Wilson wants to explore his options this offseason, according to reports.

The Denver Broncos need a quarterback and aren’t strangers to acquiring future Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks midway through their career. Could it be a match made in heaven? Possibly.

But the Broncos would have to trade for the 33-year old. And it wouldn’t be cheap.

How much should George Paton be willing to give up to acquire Wilson?

The DNVR Crew breaks it down in the 20th edition of Broncos Pick ‘Em.

All odds below are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

What would you trade for Russell Wilson?

Zac: Anything — Whatever Seattle wants, they can have.

Now, of course, that’s not the tactic George Paton should and would bring to the negotiating table, but that’s the mindset he should have.

Three first-round picks? Done deal. Throw in starters? Easy. Even entice the Seahawks with the blossoming stars of Javonte Williams and Pat Surtain? Absolutely.

If we’ve learned anything the past five years it’s that if a team doesn’t have a QB, they don’t stand a chance. Denver can have a star-studded rookie class—as they did last year—and it equates to a 7-10 season without great quarterback play. Even when the Broncos were the Super Bowl defending champions in 2016—with Von Miller and the No Fly Zone—they weren’t able to make it to the playoffs with average quarterback play.

If the Broncos were to acquire Wilson, they would be an immediate Super Bowl contender, regardless of who they have to give up to get him.

Don’t make this complicated, if a future Hall-of-Fame QB—especially one with 5-10 years left—is available, do anything to get him.

Mase: Three Round 1 picks, a Round 2 pick and a good starter — Yeah, it’s not quite “anything” … but it’s close. And it might be a bridge too far for Broncos general manager George Paton, who values draft picks — and with good reason, given the success of his first draft on the job. Les Snead, he is not.

But after watching the Broncos this past season, two things should be apparent:

1. The Broncos are a top-tier quarterback away from perennially contending for the AFC West — and being in the Super Bowl conversation.
2. Without such a quarterback, the next several years could see nothing more than bursts of competitiveness and occasional playoff bids followed by regression — much like the 2010s Vikings. Staring down the barrel of future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, Minnesota amassed a solid, talented core and made the playoffs four times in the 11 seasons that followed Brett Favre’s retirement. But they spun through quarterbacks — sometimes by choice, sometimes by the cruel chance of injury. Thus, in that span they never had consecutive trips to the playoffs and got beyond the divisional round just once.

Wilson, if he becomes available, would represent an excellent chance of avoiding that sort of fate.

There is a price the Broncos shouldn’t be willing to pay. But that is stratospheric. Short of that, trading for Wilson or Rodgers — if either is available — is something the Broncos should examine closely. The trend line of other elite quarterbacks in the 2000s often reveals an early-to-mid-30s decline before a rebound in their late 30s or beyond, as seen by passers such as Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers (who matched his career high in passer rating in his age-36 season). At age 33, Wilson’s best could still be yet to come. That possibility would be worth a bold roll of the dice.

RK: Three firsts, three seconds and three starters — I’ll keep this interesting by not saying “anything” but you pretty much would give whatever you have to to get Russell Wilson.

This isn’t some short-term fix where you’ll be back in the market for a QB soon. This is a 5-10 year solution and that gives you plenty of time so fill any holes you’ll create with this trade while still being in your championship window.

I know people are concerned about Russ’ season the year, but he was banged up all year while dealing with the awful offensive line the Seahawks have out in front of him for years. Wilson in Denver would make this team an instant contender.

Picks Picks Picks

Bengals @ Titans (-3.5)

Zac: Bengals.

Mase: Cincinnati.

RK: Bengals.

49ers @ Packers (-5.5)

Zac: 49ers.

Mase: Green Bay.

RK: Niners.

Rams @ Buccaneers (-3)

Zac: Bucs.

Mase: “TAMPA! … BAY!”

RK: Bucs.

Bills @ Chiefs (-2)

Zac: Chiefs.

Mase: Kansas City.

RK: Chiefs.

Leaderboard

Last week

Mase: 5-1

Zac: 3-3

RK: 1-5

Overall

Zac: 122-140

RK: 121-141

Mase: 120-142