Broncos Urged to Add $31 Million Former 1st-Round Pick Amid QB Trade Fallout

Lohner is a seventh-round pick with one year of limited collegiate experience, i.e., a project.

The Broncos still have trusted blocking tight end Adam Trautman and the versatile Nate Adkins, who also doubles as a fullback. Both of them are better blockers than Fant.

Still, Fant would give the Broncos a greater receiving threat and at least has the size to work in-line while Engram occupies the slot, presumably, as the Broncos’ de facto WR2 behind top-option Courtland Sutton.

Broncos-Seahawks Russell Wilson Trade Back Under Microscope

A first-round pick by the Broncos (No. 20 overall) in the 2019 draft, Fant spent three seasons in Denver. The Broncos traded Fant to the Seahawks in the deal that yielded Russell Wilson.

Some fans determined that Fant’s release signaled that the Broncos officially won the trade. Naturally, there was pushback, with many citing the volume of quality assets the Seahawks received.

The Broncos got Wilson and a fourth-round pick.

They signed Wilson to a five-year, $245 million contract extension. It was a source of contention internally, only to cut Wilson two years into the deal. That decision incurred an NFL-record $85 million dead cap hit, which they are still paying for in 2025.

The Broncos overcame that thanks to hitting on Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 draft. That is a driving force behind their efforts to build around him this offseason.

The player chosen with that pick, defensive lineman Eiyoma Uwazurike, is still under contract.

However, the Broncos gave the Seahawks Fant, former second-round pick QB Drew Lock, DL Shelby Harris, and the picks used to select two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and starters at left tackle (Charles Cross) and outside linebackers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall.