The Denver Broncos perennial hunt for a quarterback continues. Peyton Manning was the team’s last quarterback to have any positive effect on the outcome of games, and he wasn’t even in his prime back in 2014. Let’s look at some possible Denver Broncos quarterbacks for the 2019 season. Some of the players are extremely talented, high-upside throwers. Others, not so much.
Some Possible Quarterbacks For The Denver Broncos
Between 2015-2018, the Broncos quarterbacks have averaged a stat line of 3,922 yards with a 60.3 percent completion percentage, 19 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.
Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch combined to give the Broncos their best season from quarterbacks in that period. They completed almost 60 percent of passes with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
What’s mind-boggling is that the worst season statistically from Denver’s quarterbacks in the same timeframe as the previous one; Manning and Brock Osweiler combined for 19 touchdowns (10 from Osweiler) and 23 interceptions (17 from Manning).
General Manager John Elway is renowned for making bad choices when it comes to drafting quarterbacks. He doesn’t have the ability to recognize quarterback talent, and that is resented. Quarterback play is the most important factor in determining wins and losses, and an inability to find a good starter at the game’s most important position is a potentially fatal flaw.
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
Nick Foles is a Super Bowl MVP from the 2012 Draft class, the same class Elway wasted a second-round selection on Osweiler. Foles was actually drafted after Osweiler, making this all the more painful.
With the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, Foles has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 9,113 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions.
According to Predominantly Orange’s Sayre Bedinger, Foles has never been a more appealing option until this year. Especially with that Super Bowl MVP title and being a clutch player at this position, plus spearheading six game-winning drives over the past two seasons.
Foles is currently under contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, but that could change shortly. Foles has an option in his contract, and picking up said contract would give Foles a $20 million cap hit in 2020. Even if Philadelphia picks up the option, Foles could buy his freedom by forfeiting $2 million. It’s safe to say that Foles would make that money back, and then some if he hits the market. Chances are, it will take nothing more than money to bring Foles to Denver.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
While a few believe he could be an upgrade from Case Keenum, Joe Flacco certainly isn’t a favorite. First, Baltimore’s rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson has proven himself to have plenty of promise. His performance this season has highlighted Flacco’s current inadequacies. Secondly, Flacco will count $26.5 million against the Ravens 2019 cap. He is simply too expensive to be kept on the roster as he’s way past his best.
Broncos fans will never forget losing in the playoffs thanks to Flacco’s Hail Mary to Jacoby Jones. However, Flacco hasn’t played at a high level since 2014. With so many quarterback-needy teams, somebody will pay Flacco hoping to bring out the long-gone form. Hopefully, the Broncos aren’t that team.
Between 2015-18, Flacco has a record of 24-27 as a starter, completing 63.9 percent of his passes with an average of 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions per season. The Broncos should probably stick with Case Keenum because it’s just a similar scenario with him anyway. Only cheaper.
Drew Lock, University of Missouri
The Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams reaching conference championship games or the Super Bowl within three years of drafting their quarterbacks. The Broncos will be hungry for some of that success – now is truly the time to draft a franchise quarterback.
Seeing Patrick Mahomes swoop in and take the NFL by storm late in the 2017 season, and then keep improving to MVP level would make the Broncos front office drool. The Eagles and Rams experienced similar success with their quarterbacks, and with that in mind, isn’t it time for the Broncos to have a slice of the pie?
Missouri’s Drew Lock seems to be a front runner. This was a clear indication when Elway and other personnel attended four of his games this season.
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/1084865440583770113
Elway admitting to Keenum being a short term fix all but makes Lock a probable contender for the spot.
Kyler Murray, University of Oklahoma
There was speculation over whether he should play baseball or football. His NFL Draft declaration shows he sees himself as a football player first. The Oakland Athletics have already offered Kyler Murray a first-round pick contract.
But even as an undersized quarterback, and greater long-term risk, there’s a potential for bigger rewards. Even if he is picked 17th in the Draft, Murray will receive anywhere between $5 million and $10 million. He’ll be groomed for a starting quarterback job within his first two years in the NFL.
Murray shocked everyone by throwing for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns, despite not playing many snaps in his college career. Winning the Heisman Trophy made him even more of a force. Any team would be fortunate to have him on their roster.
The Broncos could view him as a good fit for the league’s gravitation towards spread offenses, just as his Oklahoma predecessor – yes, Baker Mayfield – is.
It’s time for the Broncos to get that franchise quarterback, one who can lift the team out of its doldrums. And the options are promising.
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Embed from Getty Images
