Sleeper option at QB for the Broncos: Virginia’s Kurt Benkert
With the Denver Broncos’ 2018 season all but lost, there’s no time to waste preparing for the 2018 NFL Draft. Kurt Benkert is an intriguing option at QB…
The 2018 season might be a near loss for the Denver Broncos with eight losses in 11 games, seven straight losses overall, there’s no reason to wait when it comes to NFL Draft preparations.
As many have spoken at length about the 2018 quarterback class, one player that has sort of slipped through the cracks is Virginia senior Kurt Benkert, who has been one of the most underrated passers in college football this season.
Originally committed to play college ball at East Carolina, Benkert transferred to Virginia and has spent the past two seasons there as the starting quarterback.
He checks in at around 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, and has shown great improvement over the course of the past two seasons, in a number of areas as well.
The big problem with Benkert this season? Inconsistency. There will be weeks where he shows the qualities of a starting quarterback in the NFL, and there will be other weeks where he doesn’t look like he quite has it all together just yet.
For that reason, his inclusion in this year’s Senior Bowl will be of paramount importance. He will have the opportunity to showcase his skills on a big stage in front of NFL talent evaluators there, then again at the Scouting Combine, and yet again at his pro day.
When I watched him against the Miami Hurricanes in Virginia’s upset attempt, I came away incredibly impressed:
More from Predominantly Orange
- Broncos chances of landing Sean Payton dwindling, but not gone
- Denver Broncos dream coaching staff for DeMeco Ryans
- Denver Broncos: “Sleeper” David Shaw checks every box
- The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
- Special Chiefs Suck Offer: Bet $5, Win $150 if Joe Burrow Passes for ONE YARD vs KC
So far this season, he’s completing just under 60 percent of his passes (sort of the minimum threshold for QB prospects, in my opinion) and has 25 touchdowns compared to just eight interceptions.
Despite his inconsistency this year, I think there are some qualities there with Benkert’s game that are worth developing if you’re the Denver Broncos.
Right now, the Broncos are armed with 10 picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, and they could be looking at starting from a blank slate at the position. It wouldn’t be the worst idea on their part to look at a guy like Benkert in the 3rd-4th round after having already taken someone with their top pick.
That way, like the Redskins did back in 2012, you invest two draft picks in guys you believe have the ability — at least at some point — to start games for you.
Were it not for injury, the Redskins would have perhaps stumbled upon two very good starters in the NFL in Robert Griffin III and now Kirk Cousins.