49ers rumors: 3 likely trading spots for Jimmy Garoppolo during NFL Draft

49ers Trade Partner No. 2: Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are at that crossroads point where they have to decide whether or not keeping quarterback Drew Lock, their second-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, is the right move or if moving on from him sooner than later would make more sense.

In some ways, replacing Lock now has some merits. His maturation and development haven’t suggested he’s going to be able to perennially compete with the two other top-end quarterbacks within the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. Yet with a questionable supporting cast and a still-young core of offensive players around him, perhaps Lock deserves one more chance.

That’s Denver’s problem, ultimately, yet at least according to The Dan Sileo Show, the Broncos are actively bidding for Jimmy Garoppolo’s services:

For some additional context, KOA Colorado’s Benjamin Allbright shut down Sileo’s report shortly thereafter, so make of Sileo’s initial rumor assessment what you wish.

At the same time, however, the Broncos are being linked to a possible new quarterback acquisition anyway, suggesting they’re willing to entertain the idea Lock isn’t the long-term answer. And with the already-established trade rapport Denver has with the 49ers, specifically John Lynch, the idea the Niners would entertain a trade offer from the Broncos for Garoppolo does carry some weight.

Should this happen, it would likely take place after Denver has made its first-round selection at No. 9 overall. Whether the Broncos trade up or have a Round 1 quarterback fall to them will likely determine the course of action, so refuting Sileo’s report of an already-offered second-round pick makes sense in that regard, too.

But if Denver doesn’t get “its guy” in the first round, Garoppolo being sent off via a trade would certainly be a possibility.