Draft Recap
In this scenario, the Broncos come away with the following haul (remember, there were no trades involved here):
1 – Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
2 – Mike McGlinchey, T, Notre Dame
3a – Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond
3b – Kemoko Turay, EDGE, Rutgers
4a – Foley Fatukasi, DL, UConn
4b – Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
5a – Jack Cichy, LB, Wisconsin
5b – Trey Quinn, WR, SMU
5c – Darius Phillips, CB/RS, Western Michigan
6 – Joe Ostman, EDGE, Central Michigan
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This is a balanced class offensively and defensively, and addresses the Broncos’ biggest needs. Taking a quarterback at five or later on in the draft is based completely on whether the Broncos view Keenum as a possible solution at the position, or just a glorified bridge player.
The investment they made in Keenum seems to indicate they view him more than just a doormat type of player, more than a placeholder for whatever rookie is drafted, but they shouldn’t feel like they can’t take a quarterback if they love someone from this draft.
My guess is, the top three — maybe four — picks will be quarterbacks. If that’s the case, Denver is in good position to trade down and accumulate picks or they could take the top non-quarterback on their board.
That could be Nelson, and Nelson happens to fill the team’s biggest need with Keenum taking the quarterback spot. The Broncos also get good value in this draft with McGlinchey in the second round, which would solidify their right tackle position. McGlinchey falling to round two would be somewhat similar to Cam Robinson falling to the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
We will explore some scenarios where the Broncos take a quarterback, but if they want to build around Keenum, this seems like a decent situation.