Broncos’ ‘f—ck them picks’ approach different from Super Bowl-winning Rams
The Denver Broncos are coming off their second blockbuster trade in as many years. Last year, the team traded an arm and a leg to acquire Russell Wilson. This year, the team sent away sizable draft capital in exchange for Sean Payton. Between the two moves, the team effectively wiped their hands clean of any conventional chance at getting a franchise-changing player for a while.
How much did Denver surrender in the two moves and how does this compare to the Los Angeles Rams' similar approach in recent years?
Between the trades for Russell Wilson and Sean Payton, the team is out of up to $245 million and a big number of picks. According to Pro Football Network and Adam Schefter via Athlon Sports, in the past two years, they've lost a 2022 first-round pick, second-round pick and a fifth-round pick. They also lost a 2023 first-round pick and a second-round pick.
Will the Broncos or Rams win more games in 2023?
Of course, with Wilson not hitting his stride in Denver, the team ultimately surrendered their fifth overall selection to the Seahawks. In the Sean Payton trade, the team traded a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick. They also got a couple of picks in return between the two trades.
For Wilson, the Broncos got back a 2022 fourth-round pick. For Payton, they got back a 2023 third-round pick.
Put simply, the team lost out on adding five players and also sent away Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris and effectively Bradley Chubb as well. Meaning, the team effectively traded away nine players for Sean Payton and Russell Wilson. Put simply, the team went all-in.
Of course, they weren't the first team to dump draft capital en masse in an effort to win big now. The Los Angeles Rams and general manager Les Snead coined the phrase "F--k them picks" in recent years after the team decided to also go all-in on getting their team to the next level.
Why context matters in comparing Rams and Broncos' blockbuster trades
According to Pro Football Reference, in 2021, the Rams traded Jared Goff, a third-round pick and two first-round picks for Matthew Stafford. It was the blockbuster trade of the offseason, but the size of the trade arguably pales in comparison to what the Broncos have done. Also, the circumstances in which the trade happened are substantially different.
Sean Payton is the perfect hire for Russell Wilson, perfect.
Under Sean Payton:
Drew Brees: Super Bowl MVP
Teddy Bridgewater: 5-1
Jameis Winston: 5-2
Taysom Hill: 7-2
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While the Rams were sending away a lot in Jared Goff, who played in a Super Bowl, he also showed plenty of errors in his game. Teams were exploiting them and the quarterback was unable to adapt. While his stock was sky-high in 2018, it was a fraction of that in 2021.
Meanwhile, the draft picks, while substantial, will be in the rear-view mirror by the end of the 2023 draft. That said, the most important aspect to this was the context. The Rams had already proven to be a borderline Super Bowl contender with a proven, veteran roster with several years of double-digit wins under their belt. The Broncos are coming off a five-win season.
The @broncos will reportedly pay Sean Payton $85 million over five years.
He will become the highest paid coach in Colorado sports history.
Good for him.
It's not my money.
Now win.
The Rams were already on the edge of sniffing a Lombardi while the Broncos were simply trying to get off the ground. Moreover, Denver is located in a division with the most dominant team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs. Will the quarterback and coach duo prove to be enough to unseat Patrick Mahomes one year after a Super Bowl appearance?