Denver moved up from No. 31 to No. 26 for quarterback Paxton…
Denver moved up from No. 31 to No. 26 for quarterback Paxton Lynch, sending Seattle a third-round pick to complete the deal. Lynch started only four games for the Broncos and was released before the 2018 season. Seattle used the two selections on Germain Ifedi and Nick Vannett, receiving four years of starting offensive-line play from Ifedi plus rotational tight-end value from Vannett. Seattle won decisively.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2016 1st round pick (26th overall, Paxton Lynch)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 2016 1st round pick (31st overall, Germain Ifedi)
- pick 2016 3rd round pick (94th overall, Nick Vannett)
Trade Analysis
Denver entered the 2016 draft searching for a quarterback after Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler left in free agency. When Paxton Lynch remained available late in the first round, the Broncos sent pick No. 31 and pick No. 94 to Seattle for pick No. 26. It was a classic quarterback trade-up: Denver sacrificed an extra Day 2 selection to make sure it could land a developmental passer with rare size and arm strength.
The bet failed quickly. Lynch appeared in only five regular-season games for Denver and started four, throwing four touchdowns and four interceptions. He never overtook the competition for a permanent starting role and was released in September 2018. For a defending champion trying to solve the sport's most important position, the logic was understandable, but the actual return from a first-round quarterback was extremely small.
Seattle's return was not spectacular in star power, but it was materially better. The Seahawks stayed in the first round and selected offensive tackle Germain Ifedi at No. 31. Ifedi started 60 games over four seasons for Seattle, playing both guard and tackle. The acquired third-round selection became tight end Nick Vannett, who appeared in 42 games for the Seahawks before being traded to Pittsburgh in 2019.
The Seahawks therefore gained years of usable starting and rotational snaps while moving down only five places. Denver, by contrast, spent both a first- and third-round asset on a quarterback who was gone after two seasons.
Seattle earns an A- because Ifedi was a durable multi-year starter and Vannett added secondary value, even if neither became an elite player. Denver earns a D because the aggressive move addressed a legitimate need but produced almost no lasting quarterback value. The Seattle Seahawks are the clear winner.