*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Broncos Aggressively Scouting Top Quarterbacks
Updated Nov. 2, 2017By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
The Broncos made a move at quarterback this week, benching Treveor Siemian and turning to Brock Osweiler as their starting quarterback. It was surprising to outsiders that Denver gave Osweiler the opportunity instead of 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch. After Peyton Manning retired and Osweiler signed with the Texans, the Broncos traded up in the first round to take Lynch. However, Lynch hasn’t impressed enough to be named the starting quarterback yet. In speaking with team sources, they say that could be a sign of things to come as the Broncos are aggressively scouting the top quarterback prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft. Denver is taking a hard look at the early-first-round quarterbacks with the possibility of moving up if there is one the organization really believes in.
There are a number of candidates to be the top quarterback prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft, including UCLA’s Josh Rosen, USC’s Sam Darnold, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, Wyoming’s Josh Allen and Northwestern’s Clayton Thorson. WalterFootball.com has heard positive buzz about all of those quarterbacks in recent months. Not all of them are expected to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft, however, and a number of them could decide to return to school next year. Sources say that Lynch has fallen out of favor with the Broncos. His lack of a work ethic is one of the big issues with the team.
Sources say that the Broncos are scouting the top quarterbacks to be ready to make a play for one of them. Denver still has a Super Bowl defense, so a difference-maker at quarterback could vault the team right back into the elite of the AFC. Depending on where the Broncos are picking, which quarterbacks enter the 2018 NFL Draft, and which teams iares picking ahead them, the Broncos could make a bold move for a new franchise quarterback in a few months. Sources say Denver is preparing for that possibility this fall.
