DENVER — The Denver Broncos are on the clock — and they may be looking to get there a lot sooner than expected.

With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that the Broncos are among a small group of teams actively making calls to trade up in the first round. It’s a notable development for a franchise that currently holds the No. 20 overall pick, but may be positioning itself for something bigger.

“The Broncos have made inquiries about moving up in Round 1, according to sources,” Schefter wrote Monday. While many teams are expected to trade down, Schefter noted that few have shown real interest in trading up. Denver is one of the exceptions.

The trade chatter aligns with comments made by general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton during the team’s pre-draft press conference on Monday.

“We make a lot of calls this week. Then next week, the more serious calls,” Paton said. “I’ve talked to most every team in the NFL and I set the table, set the plan.”

Paton emphasized that the Broncos explore a wide range of scenarios leading up to the draft — not only to move up, but also to prepare contingency plans in case certain prospects are no longer on the board. “You always want an exit plan if your player isn’t there,” he added. “Every time we had a player in the draft [last year], we had an exit plan.”

Sean Payton added that some teams are easier to deal with than others, citing familiarity between front offices as a key factor in whether trade talks gain traction. “There’s certain ones where you knew right away you could do business without either having to feel like you’re getting a win,” he said.

Just last week, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah suggested that the Broncos could trade down to No. 33 or No. 34 in a deal with the Browns or Giants. But Schefter’s update flips that script — Denver might now be eyeing a move up, not back.

The Broncos are reportedly exploring deals with several teams, including ones picking ahead of them like the 49ers (No. 11), Seahawks (18), Buccaneers (19), and Vikings (24) — all of whom are open to moving back, according to Schefter.

It’s a flexible board. And Paton hinted the team is comfortable in a range of spots. “We see similar value from picks 10 to 20,” he said earlier this month, fueling speculation that Denver could move up slightly to secure a specific target with a rare first-round grade.

With a trade-up in play, the question becomes: who are the Broncos after?

Nick Lender of Mile High Sports floated several possibilities based on team needs and draft projections. That includes Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, a potential top-10 talent who could fall if the Raiders pass at No. 6. Tight ends Tyler Warren (Penn State) and Colston Loveland (Michigan) are also in the mix, even with Evan Engram newly signed. North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton offers a power-back option, while Georgia pass rusher Mykel Williams and Michigan corner Will Johnson headline top-tier defensive possibilities.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on the quarterback board. Despite recent praise for Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Sam Ehlinger, Denver’s front office wouldn’t be doing its job if it didn’t evaluate every scenario — including the possibility of a high-upside QB slipping down the board.

Depending on how far Denver is looking to jump, the price could vary. A modest move up into the early teens may only require a third-round pick or a future Day 2 selection. A bold move into the top 10, however, would come at a premium — potentially costing a future first or a valuable player.

Paton reiterated that many of these decisions play out in real-time. “It gets more serious next week — and really, draft day,” he said. “Sometimes a team you haven’t heard from just calls… they really want to come up, their player’s there, they’re aggressive.”

For a team that watched quarterback Bo Nix fall to them at 12th in 2024, Denver’s willingness to be cautiously aggressive signals confidence in their draft board and internal alignment. With George Paton orchestrating calls and Sean Payton eyeing roster fits, Broncos fans can expect movement — whether it’s up, down, or out.

“We had a plan every time we were on the clock last year,” Paton said. “And we’ll have one this year, too.”

With multiple trade scenarios on the table, it’s shaping up to be another high-stakes draft night in the Mile High City.