The Denver Broncos are largely projected to draft a quarterback with the No. 12 overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft, and head coach Sean Payton could have given a clear clue of who they’re targeting.

Sean Payton, head coach of the Denver Broncos, has given a significant indication about who he would pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, despite the problems that may arise from selecting outside the top ten.

The Broncos, who have the No. 12 overall pick, are likely to select a quarterback, as their current choices on the roster are Ben DiNucci and Jarrett Stidham following Russell Wilson’s release.

However Caleb Williams from USC, Drake Maye from North Carolina and Jayden Daniels from LSU are expected to be selected in the top three on draft night in Detroit and that could force Payton’s hand to move up the board for the consensus fourth quarterback prospect in the class – J.J. McCarthy.

Internet detectives discovered that Payton began following Michigan’s McCarthy on X, formerly Twitter. A quick peek at McCarthy’s account revealed that he followed Payton back.

The Broncos have done their homework on McCarthy, who has recently risen up the selection boards. Even though Payton couldn’t attend the 21-year-old’s Pro Day on March 22, he and Denver got a good look at the quarterback during a workout.

“I wasn’t at J.J.’s pro day, but we had a private the next day where we sent him a bunch of information, spent four or five hours with him, and just made him throw all over again,” Payton told reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting in late March. “I believe it’s all part of the process. “I believe it will lead to a more efficient and effective decision.”

McCarthy is a difficult quarterback to evaluate in this year’s Draft. He’s proven he can win, with a 27-1 record as Michigan’s starter and a 34-13 triumph over Washington in his final college game. However, the Wolverines’ offense did not rely on McCarthy; instead, they relied on a powerful running game headed by halfback Blake Corum.

McCarthy’s 332 pass attempts in 2023 are much lower than other quarterbacks in this year’s class, despite playing more games. The Broncos understand they may need to trade up to get him from where they are presently.

Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. appear to be the only two potential first-round picks, and either would be a reach to be selected in the top 12. However, the Broncos appear to appreciate what they’ve seen from McCarthy. “It felt like we had a really good handle on who was available,” Payton said during the league meetings, according to ESPN. “Certainly, I believe we’ve reached a level that other quarterbacks would like to reach, but we weren’t going to sign a quarterback just to get one. We will think carefully about who is coming in and, more importantly, what the vision is for the player.

Following Wilson’s release last month, the Broncos quarterback room now comprises DiNucci and Stidham, who started the final two games of the 2023 season. Payton stressed, however, that the latter will “compete” for the starting job against “other candidates.”