Another major mock draft has Josh Allen going to Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos will be in the market for quarterbacks this offseason, and Todd McShay has Josh Allen heading to the Mile High City…
What will the Denver Broncos do this offseason at the quarterback position?
Will they pursue a ‘bridge’ veteran option and draft someone early? Will they stick it out with Paxton Lynch?
There are a variety of options to choose from, but one option that has consistently scared me is the thought of using a top 10 draft pick on Wyoming’s Josh Allen, despite the massive hype he was getting coming into the 2017 season.
Allen lost a number of key teammates to the pros or graduation last year, when he probably should have gone to the NFL himself, and he’s struggled badly this year as a result.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report recently mocked Josh Allen to the Broncos with their top draft selection in 2018, causing me a bit of an emotional breakdown.
His thought that Allen will rise this offseason and maintain his top 10 status was shared by ESPN’s Todd McShay, who recently released his first full 32 selection mock draft.
McShay’s thoughts on Allen going to Denver:
"Even after taking Paxton Lynch No. 26 overall in 2016, the Broncos are clearly still in need of a franchise QB. Lynch has thrown only 97 passes in two seasons, and he was beaten by Trevor Siemian for the starting QB spot this season. If Denver doesn’t address the position in free agency, Allen should be the pick. There’s no question that he struggled this season at Wyoming and needs to improve his decision-making, but he lost four of his skill position players from 2016 to the NFL. Allen has an elite arm and is a physical freak in terms of his skill set. His stock should rise in the postseason process.Todd McShay, ESPN"
What McShay says there is pretty key, and it goes along with some things we’ve been hearing in regards to the quarterback position for the Broncos — “If Denver doesn’t address the position in free agency…”
If the options are free agency or Josh Allen in the top five, give me the former.
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
I don’t hate Allen as a prospect, but he’s not a player I would take in the top 10 picks. The Broncos have already given themselves the opportunity to slowly develop big, strong-armed quarterbacks with a lot of talent but not much in the way of actual production or proven NFL ability.
Just look back at the selections of Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch. Those are two guys who, like Allen, are physically impressive with all the talent in the world to play the position, but they just aren’t cutting it.
Allen has a career completion percentage well under 60 percent. That’s a bare minimum number to me. Allen also has some injury history, and when I watched him play this season, he looked dejected at times because of how poorly he and the team around him was playing.
If the Broncos take Allen in the first round, I can talk myself into him as a developmental prospect, but not an immediate starter. He’s simply too erratic with his accuracy.
Allen has all of the physical tools to be successful at the next level, but I think he’s going to struggle badly right away. Are the Broncos willing to waste another year (or more) with their talented defense on a quarterback going through significant growing pains?
Perhaps they are.
Allen certainly fits the profile of quarterback Elway has targeted in his tenure with the Broncos, but being 6-foot-5 or taller with a 230 pound frame doesn’t make you a franchise quarterback in this league.
At some point, the Broncos are going to need to find a franchise player at this position. It’s on John Elway to make it happen, and so far, he’s batting .000.