Denver acquired Zach Wilson and pick No. 256 from the Jets…
Denver acquired Zach Wilson and pick No. 256 from the Jets for pick No. 203, with the transaction formally recorded by the Broncos on April 23, 2024. Wilson spent the 2024 regular season as Denver's third quarterback and did not take a regular-season snap, while New York converted its former starter into a higher draft slot. The value difference is small, but the Jets captured the better return.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Zach Wilson
- pick 2024 7th round pick (256th overall, Nick Gargiulo)
New York Jets Received
- pick 2024 6th round pick (203rd overall subsequently traded, Will Reichard )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Denver formally acquired Zach Wilson and the 256th pick in the 2024 draft from New York on April 23, sending the Jets pick No. 203. The deal gave Wilson a fresh start after three uneven seasons as the Jets' former No. 2 overall selection. For Denver, the trade created another quarterback option at a limited cost; for New York, it ended the relationship while moving substantially higher in the sixth round.
How the Value Developed
Wilson spent the 2024 season behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham and did not take a regular-season snap for the Broncos. Denver still received practice and developmental value from an experienced quarterback, and the club also got the final pick of the draft in the exchange. New York's return was the cleaner asset: moving from No. 256 to No. 203 improved the probability and flexibility attached to its draft capital without giving up post-trade production that materially hurt the Jets.
Why New York Gets the Edge
This is not a major Denver loss because the acquisition cost was low and quarterback depth carries value even when it does not reach the field. The Broncos were taking a reasonable chance on a talented former first-rounder in a new environment. Still, strict hindsight favors New York because Wilson did not generate game production for Denver and the Jets came away with the superior pick. The team moving on from the player captured a modest but tangible asset upgrade.
Final Verdict
New York keeps the C+ and the win, with Denver at C. The corrected April 23 date matches Denver's official transaction record. The trade remains close because neither side exchanged premium value, but the Jets improved their draft position while the Broncos received no regular-season snaps from the central player.