Former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning says the Broncos are interested in Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy ahead of Thursday's draft.

"I know Denver is very interested in him and it sounded like a place he'd love to come to but it's a little bit out of his control," Manning said Tuesday on Denver's 104.3 The Fan, per Jake Shapiro of Denver Sports.

The Broncos select first with the No. 12 pick of the first round, which means George Paton may have to trade up if he wants to draft McCarthy.

The former Wolverines signal-caller is projected as a top five pick in the latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft by the B/R NFL Scouting Department.

Manning told Josh Dover and Brandon Stokley that he established a relationship with McCarthy by texting him congratulations on January 9 after the quarterback helped Michigan win the CFP title over Washington.

"I just kind of wished him luck and he asked me some questions," Manning said, per Shapiro. "So he called me back and he was impressive to talk to."

Manning's statement confirms earlier reports that the Broncos are still interested in drafting a quarterback after trading for former New York Jets signal caller Zach Wilson.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote Monday that the Broncos will "continue working behind the scenes to see if they have enough to move up in the draft for a QB."

Unfortunately for the Broncos, they likely aren't the only team interested in the former Michigan quarterback.

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman reported earlier this month that the Minnesota Vikings are "very interested in McCarthy," and the Vikings have better draft stock to potentially make a trade up. After a March trade with the Houston Texans, Minnesota holds the No. 11 and No. 23 picks in the upcoming draft.

The Broncos, in contrast, hold no second-round picks and won't select again until No. 76.

The Broncos also have to contend with the possibility the New England Patriots could stick with their No. 3 pick and use it to draft McCarthy. CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported Tuesday that sources around the NFL do not "strongly" believe that the Patriots, if keeping the pick, will use the selection to draft North Carolina's Drake Maye.

If the Broncos can nonetheless work out a way to move up high enough to select McCarthy, it sounds like he and Manning would both be pleased with the result.