Should the Broncos trade up in the NFL draft to get former Stanford star Christian McCaffrey?

Kiz: From John Elway to Chris Harris Jr. to fans in the south stands, everybody knows Denver needs a playmaker. And the answer could be right down the street from Dove Valley headquarters. In addition to his many-varied football skills, Christian McCaffrey could create buzz in Colorado like no player since Tim Tebow left town. Should the Broncos do whatever’s necessary to draft him, even if it means moving up in the first round from their spot at No. 20?

Jhabvala: I immediately just want to say, ‘Yes. Get him. Whatever it takes. Get him.’ But reports vary by the day on just how high McCaffrey may go. Some say top 10. Some say he’s already received a guarantee from a team in the teens. The Broncos could easily trade up. They have traded up for the past two years to get Shane Ray in 2015 and Paxton Lynch in 2016. But moving up to the top 10 from No. 20 will cost quite a bit, and this is a draft deep on playmakers, from tight end, to running back. Do they really want to give up a haul when they could find help from others?

Kiz: I like to think of NFL mock drafts as the original fake news. Who cares if every mock draft is based on flimsy info, rumors and outright lies? They’re irresistible click bait. McCaffrey is the hot player of the moment in mock-draft land. He’s now projected to climb as high as the Colts (No. 15 in the first round), the Eagles (No. 14) or even the Panthers (No. 8). If the Broncos like McCaffrey, should Elway stand pat at No. 20 and see if our local football hero slips?

Jhabvala: I’d like to see them try to trade up, but given Elway’s history, I’d expect him draw the line quickly if the asking price becomes too exorbitant. And it very well could be. The NFL is a league of relationships, and McCaffrey has as lot of deep ties to people across the league. The 49ers, led by former Bronco John Lynch and Mike’s son Kyle Shanahan, are rumored to want to trade back from No. 2 to try to get him. They’ve known McCaffrey since he was a kid. At No. 14 are the Eagles, who named Brian Dawkins a football operations executive last year. Dawkins was one of McCaffrey’s coaches at Valor Christian. The demand for McCaffrey is already high.

Kiz: As a multi-purpose NFL weapon,McCaffrey is the real deal. It’s good to see NFL general managers, as guilty of group-think sheep as Heisman voters, are beginning to catch on. If Elway truly believes McCaffrey can help his young quarterbacks more than a left tackle, trading up should be considered. The problem? Moving up in the first round comes at a steep price. Maybe Denver could work a deal with Cleveland at No. 12. But if McCaffrey is going off the board in the top 10, I’m afraid a trade would be too rich for Denver to reasonably afford.

Jhabvala: Agreed. Top 10 could be too costly. But there’s no denying McCaffrey’s potential and all the ways he could help the Broncos. They need a speedy back. They need a clear No. 3 receiver and help in the slot. They desperately need a reliable returner. McCaffrey checks all three boxes, and to see him stay in Colorado would be an incredible story in and of itself.