How should the Denver Broncos approach their QB situation?

Veteran options:

Drew Brees,

Alex Smith

, Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Andrew Luck?, Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater, Eli Manning?,

Philip Rivers?

, Tyrod Taylor, Carson Palmer?,

Trevor Siemian

,

Jay Cutler

, Josh McCown, Colin Kaepernick, Blake Bortles, Tony Romo?, Brock Osweiler, Case Keenum

2018 NFL Draft:

Sam Darnold?, Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield, Ryan Finley, Lamar Jackson, Mason Rudolph, Luke Falk, Josh Allen?, Will Grier?, Riley Ferguson

Currently projected to have the 6th overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, it stands to reason that the Broncos will have the option to pick from almost any quarterback on the draft list they would want, depending on which guys leave school early.

Through the process of elimination, it’s safe to say that the Broncos have no shot of landing Alex Smith, so you can cross him off the list. His trade value is far too high for the Chiefs to simply let him go as a free agent, and there’s no way the Chiefs are trading a veteran quarterback to a team in their own division that is legitimately a quarterback away from contending.

I think the same holds true for Philip Rivers with the Chargers. The Chargers wouldn’t give the Broncos exactly what they need to vault back into contention, especially since they really have no options behind Rivers either.

Ryan Tannehill and Sam Bradford both have serious injury issues, specifically with their knees. I wouldn’t touch them with a 39.5 foot pole as far as counting on them to come in and be a long-term option.

The same could be said of Teddy Bridgewater, though he’s an intriguing option if he comes at a lower price with low risk. The Broncos had a chance to draft him back in 2014 at the bottom of the first round, and passed.

The Colts aren’t likely getting rid of Andrew Luck, and even if they were, there’s currently no guarantee he will ever play again. That’s how bad his shoulder injury reportedly is. What would it cost to get him in terms of draft capital, and what would be the cost if he were to never return to form health-wise?

The Broncos could try and dip back into the Manning family, this time opting for Eli. Elway would have to trade for Eli and his salary, which has a decent ‘out’ at the end of the 2018 season but it might force the Broncos into some salary cap gymnastics and for potentially just a year of Eli Manning, who is now 36 years old.

The most ‘realistic’ veteran options in terms of guys who will likely be available without having to make a trade are Drew Brees (approaching age 39) and Kirk Cousins. Let’s explore those options a little further…