Ian Rapoport doesn’t think the Broncos will take a QB at 5

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport doesn’t think the Denver Broncos will ultimately take a quarterback with the fifth overall pick…

The Denver Broncos have shown a high level of interest in this year’s crop of quarterbacks, which we outlined in a post earlier on Monday.

The Broncos’ interest in the ‘big four’ quarterbacks in this year’s draft is certainly notable considering they have yet to do as much digging on any other prospects or position group.

As far as we know, Quenton Nelson and Saquon Barkley haven’t been in the building in Denver to visit with president/CEO Joe Ellis, while UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen has.

With all of that said, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network had an interesting bit of insight into the Broncos’ plans with the fifth overall selection.

In an interview with Andy Lindahl and Tyler Polumbus on 760 Orange & Blue, Rap Sheet said he didn’t think the team would be taking a quarterback at five overall.

Wait, what?

Here’s what he had to say…

"“It’s interesting because, you know I think the Broncos could go a bunch of different ways. My guess is they probably do not take a quarterback. But, they also need to know — if they don’t take a quarterback — what they’d be missing. Do plans change if say, let’s say Browns go with Josh Allen at one, and then the Giants pick Barkley at two — both are perfectly viable situations. Do the Broncos try to trade up?”Ian Rapoport"

Rap Sheet strongly implied that the Broncos would seemingly consider a trade up if — and only if — Sam Darnold was not selected in the top three picks, just to ensure getting him.

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This could mean that Rapoport thinks or has heard that the Broncos are in the same boat as perhaps the Giants, who want Sam Darnold or no quarterback at all in the first round.

This adds a really interesting wrinkle into things, because the Broncos have spent much less time digging into the ‘second tier’ of quarterbacks in this year’s draft than the guys that will go in the top 5-10 picks.

Could this mean that the Broncos are ‘Darnold or bust’ in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft? And if that’s the case, who will they select at five overall if Darnold goes off the board in the top two picks?

This is the most fascinating part of the draft season, because no information anyone is given seems to be truthful. John Elway was straight forward in saying that he doesn’t even know who the Broncos will pick, and won’t until the day before or the day of the draft.

Take that with a grain of salt.

I’m very intrigued to see how this all plays out. The drama of this year’s draft is unlike many that I can personally recall.

The Broncos will be front and center for the next three weeks.