Baker Mayfield has exactly what the Denver Broncos need

What do the Denver Broncos need at the quarterback position? Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield proved this week he has exactly what this team needs…

The quarterback position is going to steal a lot of the focus this offseason for the Denver Broncos. What is the team going to do?

We could see possibly any or all of the following:

Trevor Siemian traded.

Brock Osweiler relocated.

Paxton Lynch traded.

The Broncos signing a big money free agent QB.

The Broncos spending a top five pick on a QB.

But what do the Broncos really need at the quarterback position?

Well, we know the Broncos need someone who can play it well. That seems like a stupid statement to have to make, but you’ve been watching the same games I have. They need someone who can play the quarterback position well.

Lucky for them, I think that list of quarterbacks is pretty broad this offseason, starting with a veteran option in Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins, extending into a very talented draft class at the position.

But more than just someone who can play the position well, the Broncos need a leader.

More specifically, the Broncos need a player that is capable of commanding respect from a veteran locker room. The Broncos perhaps haven’t had that since Peyton Manning left, and maybe that’s due to unfair expectations put on by the guys in-house.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the players on this Broncos team that experienced the thrill of Super Bowl 50 have almost certainly had unfair expectations for whoever took snaps for this team.

But no matter if the expectations are fair or not, whatever quarterback comes into Denver is going to need to not only be able to play but command the respect of his teammates.

That list is not as long as the list of guys who can just play.

In my opinion, there is a pretty short list of quarterbacks the Broncos could realistically get that would immediately command the respect of the locker room.

Kirk Cousins would obviously be on that list. I think Tyrod Taylor would also be on that list, though I also don’t think he’s on the same level as Cousins as a player. The third player I would put on the list of guys who can both play and command respect from a locker room in short order is Baker Mayfield.

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

Mayfield showed incredible leadership qualities this past week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, both in the way he went about his business and the way he instantly had the respect of his teammates.

It wasn’t just Mayfield’s long list of accomplishments that earned him that respect, either. It was the hustle he showed between drills. It was the way he encouraged and congratulated his teammates after good reps. It was the way he was working to get better between every single rep.

There was not a second of Mayfield’s time that was wasted. I have said that in multiple posts this week, but I can’t overstate it enough.

At this point, my greatest worry is that the Cleveland Browns are going to take Mayfield first overall. I think we’ve gotten sort of tricked into believing there’s this consensus quarterback list out there where Mayfield is at best third on everyone’s board behind Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen.

I wouldn’t be shocked in the least to see Mayfield go first overall to the Browns, and if that’s the word on the street in NFL circles, the Broncos may have to adjust and plan accordingly.

The Senior Bowl may have been the first and only time the Broncos will get to coach Mayfield, and not because of Kirk Cousins, but because that’s just how good Mayfield is.

His combination of football IQ, athletic ability, arm talent, and intangibles are rare. Is he rough around the edges at times? Sure, but I like that edge in my quarterback. How many times have we seen Tom Brady cuss on the sidelines or get in the face of an official?

Maybe that’s another debate for another day.

The point that I’m trying to make is this — the Denver Broncos’ locker room needs someone that can come in and command the respect of the players that are currently under contract. I think Mayfield has the unique ability to do that, as well as elevate the level of this Broncos team with his play.

He would also not cost nearly $30 million per season.

There are a lot of reasons to love Mayfield and Denver as a match, but hopefully it’s not too good to be true.