Denver Broncos QB Options: The 2016 NFL Draft

Category 3: The late round potential

Players: Jacoby Brissett, Vernon Adams Jr, Brandon Allen, Jake Coker and Cody Kessler

Explanation: This group are guys that will make the NFL as back-ups or #3 guys with the outside chance to develop as starters, if they go to the right team. I can see a few of these guys fitting for the Broncos, but I’m not sure we’ll seriously look into getting any of these guys considering the sudden need for an impact player at the position. Nonetheless, we’ll take a look at these prospects and how they would fit.

Player: Jacoby Brissett

Draft Projection: Late 4th-6th Round

A sleeper prospect in this class, Brissett quietly put together a nice college career at NC State. He has good size (6’4, 231 lbs) and athleticism for the position but there’s plenty of questions for his game. Like many

other college QB’s, he comes from a spread offense that is predicated on one or two reads. The offense was certainly catered to his skill set and because of that, he never really had to “go off script” very often.  Another criticism of Brissett’s was his lack of downfield production.

For as accurate as he was in the short and intermediate ranges, he often fell short in the deep passing game.  That is enough to tell me that he’s not a fit for the Broncos. With so much of the Kubiak-led passing game being based on play action passes down the field, I have a hard time imagining Brissett running our offense well given his skill-set.

Overall, he’s a solid prospect that could be a back-up in the NFL for quite a few years, but I just don’t see him as a fit in Denver.

Player: Vernon Adams Jr.

Draft Projection: 5th-7th round

One immediate comparison comes to mind when watching Adams…. Russell Wilson… I know, that’s high praise. The two have quite a bit in common, though. Both are about the same height (5’11), played for thee years before transferring to a larger program, very productive at their respected programs and finally, they were both largely overlooked by scouts because of their size.

I’m not saying Vernon Adams Jr. is going to be the next Russell Wilson, but I’d never count him out if he can latch on with an NFL team. The video below is a textbook example of how to manipulate the pocket and deliver a strike to the receiver while under duress.

Not many NFL QB’s can make that play comfortably, let alone college QB’s playing at an All-Star game.  If you can overlook the frame (5’11, 200 lbs) and hand size (9 1/8), Adams has all of the necessary tools to become a successful NFL QB. The challenge will be finding a team that will give him a legitimate chance to develop.  I don’t know how he would fit into the Broncos plans or the level of interest that they have in him, but I’d love to see them take a late round flyer on him and bring him to camp to compete.  Stranger things have happened…

Player: Brandon Allen

Draft Projection: 5th-7th Round

Like Hogan, I don’t understand how Allen isn’t a higher rated prospect.  Good size? Check. Adequate arm strength and athleticism? Check. Accuracy? Check. Played well in a tough conference? Check. Played in a pro-style offense? Check. Again, why isn’t he rated higher?

It must be the hands. Yes, the dreaded hand size. After reportedly measuring in at the Senior Bowl with 8 1/2 inch hands, Allen actually sought out treatment to help grow his hand size in time for the combine. I’m not making any of this up.

See? Despite that, Allen is a prospect who improved every year in college and demonstrates a clear command of the offense he runs.  He’s another “jack of all trades, but a master of none” type of prospect. He can do everything well enough, but he’s not necessarily great in any one area of his game.  He should be a good back-up in the NFL with potential to turn into a decent starter with the right opportunity.

The closest comparison to Allen’s game would be Alex Smith. That would be IF he ever becomes a starter in the NFL.  I like his game and he’ll find a way to stick in the NFL. I’m just not sure it’s with the Broncos.

Player: Cody Kessler and Jake Coker

Draft Projection: 6th round-UDFA

I lumped both of these guys together because they’re very similar prospects in that they played for big time college programs and were efficient in pro-style offenses, but neither one of them is particularly intriguing

from a developmental standpoint.  I could see both being in the NFL for a few years as back-ups, but that’s about it.

To be fair with Kessler, I do see very good anticipation and accuracy in his game. That’s not easy to coach. I like his chances of lasting in the NFL better than Coker, who acted more as a placeholder for Alabama’s offense rather than a field general type of QB.  I don’t see either one being a fit with the Broncos, unless they wanted another young QB to bring to camp.

Next: Mark Sanchez Aiming for Starting QB Job

Conclusion: That’s what we’re looking at with the QB’s in this year’s NFL Draft. There may be a few other prospects flying under the radar that could make this kind of list in the future, but the list of suspects for the Broncos are too narrow for that now.

With an obvious need at the position, it becomes imperative that they find a QB and find him early. Unless they get a sure fire starter like Colin Kaepernick or feel comfortable with the QB’s they have going into the draft, they have to be aggressive to “their guy” and being to groom him for the near future.

Instead of crying over the loss of Osweiler,  I see this as a great opportunity for the Broncos. Finally, after years of searching, this year’s draft gives the Broncos the chance to draft the long-term answer at the position that we’ve been looking for since Elway hung up his cleats. And who better to select the next “Franchise QB” than the last franchise QB, right? How poetic.  We’ll see how this plays out, but there’s no doubt, this position will give Broncos Country plenty of excitement and drama leading up to the Draft.