Denver Broncos: What if They Don’t Draft a Quarterback?
There’s a solid stable of players to build around.
There is a standout tackle in Alabama’s Jonah Williams, a guy who is NFL ready but it’s unclear where the Broncos stand on the line.
Denver Broncos
Garett Bolles improved in the second half of last season and Jared Veldheer should be recovered from an injury-filled 2018. Similarly, the interior line, if health and with Munchak in charge should be much improved over the 2018 version.
The line is hard to pin down but also may be more a target for free-agency than the draft. Williams is the only sure bet among the tackles.
If Denver is fishing for tight end help, which they should be, T.J. Hockenson of the Iowa Hawkeyes is the man they should be after. Hockenson will likely be available at 10 and fits the mold of the modern NFL tight end with speed and superior hands stretched over his 6’4″ 230 lb. frame. Not as big out of college as guys like Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski, Hockenson will need to add some weight to truly be put into that elite category but he’s a sure bet for the first round and will contribute immediately. It’s not assured that Jake Butt will return to form, he and Jeff Heuermann have to prove they can stay healthy for an entire NFL season to be effective.
This draft is heavy on pass rushers and wideouts, two positions of strength for the Broncos. With 8 picks after they send a mid-rounder to the Baltimore Ravens for Joe Flacco, Denver can fill a lot of holes, as they did with their outstanding 2018 draft class. It won’t require a quarterback but without one, expectations for the 2019 season should be that the team s in transition and will struggle to play much above the .500 mark.
Even if they bring in a quarterback, word is that Drew Lock is GM John Elway‘s choice among the first-rounders. Lock inspires little confidence as a rookie that could propel Denver past that .500 mark no matter how they draft otherwise. If they won’t look outside of tradition, as they did in assembling the 2015 Super Bowl team, the Broncos will struggle. If they look at a high-risk, high-reward guy like Kyler Murray at QB, they may find that elusive formula.