The Denver Broncos have a golden opportunity to make an extra splash this offseason with a big hometown name in San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. San Francisco looked poised to potentially trade McCaffrey, but the Broncos already have two former 49ers on the roster from free agency.

Denver Post writer and Broncos insider Troy Renck acknowledges that “bringing him the former Valor Christian star would make a great Disney script,” but he explains that it’s not the right time. “McCaffrey to the Broncos? It makes total sense – as a niche player in 2026,” Renck wrote. An MVP finalist in 2023, McCaffrey will cost any team a lot. He currently has a two-year, $38 million deal with the 49ers through 2027, and the Broncos have done plenty of spending this offseason with the salary cap down to $21.42 million.

In addition, McCaffrey spent the 2024 season on the sideline due to multiple leg injuries. McCaffrey has now missed more than 10 games twice in the past four years due to injury, which could outweigh his monster 2023 season, where he rushed for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns plus 67 catches for 564 yards and seven scores.

“The Achilles – and any accompanying tendonitis – is the most annoying and concerning issue for a skill player who turns 29 in June,” Renck wrote. “And this draft is bursting with dynamic running backs available in the first two rounds, including Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, Kaleb Johnson and Quinshon Judkins.” Denver could easily find a viable running back as a rusher and pass catcher with the aforementioned names in the draft.