Denver Broncos: One of these two players could be the QB of the future

The Denver Broncos don’t have a lot of options at the quarterback position this offseason. One of these two players could be the answer.

The Denver Broncos need a quarterback of the future, and the field for 2019 was narrowed even further than it already was when Justin Herbert — Oregon’s prized prospect — declared his intentions to return to school for a fourth season.

Teams who need quarterbacks this year (the Broncos among them) can’t be thrilled by this news but it’s also understandable. Herbert still has to prove he can stay healthy at Oregon and he certainly has a lot to improve about his game before he’s a no-doubt top 10 NFL Draft selection.

This news shakes up the 2019 NFL Draft and teams will now take action much earlier in the offseason to fix their quarterback situations.

The Broncos don’t have a top 10 pick as of now (currently slated for pick no. 12) but they very well could after this weekend’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

If the Broncos have a top 10 pick by the time this season is over, they will have the chance to jump ahead of some other QB-needy teams and get the top quarterback they covet in this year’s draft class.

At this point, it would be a shocker if that player were anyone other than Missouri’s Drew Lock or Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins.

Lock has been a four-year starter for the Tigers and is considered by some to be a fringe first-round player, while others consider him a player with top 10 tools. Haskins has just one year of starting experience, but lit the Big Ten on fire this season and finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist, embarrassing defenses along the way.

Haskins is considered the superior overall prospect by most at this point, but both players look like future starters in the NFL.

Could one of those two be the answer at quarterback for the Broncos? It’s very possible.

John Elway and the Broncos brass have already been to Missouri games in person to scout Drew Lock. They will certainly find time to get up-close-and-personal with Haskins if they haven’t already.

The key is going to be finding someone who can step in and start at some point in the 2019 season. The Broncos’ plan should be no different than that of Cleveland if even a more expedited plan to get their young quarterback on the field.

For that reason, the Broncos could value the experience of Lock a bit more than the immediate production of Haskins, but you have to evaluate these guys and what they can be, not just based on what they have done in college.

Haskins doesn’t feel like a one-year-wonder or a risk. Watching his games, he seems to have full command of the Ohio State offense and he makes every throw look easy. He’s got the moxie and poise of a franchise quarterback.

Lock has struggled some against great college teams, but his 44 touchdown passes as a junior last season and improved accuracy in 2018 indicate to me he has made the necessary strides in his game to contribute right away as an NFL rookie.

The Broncos don’t need to wait until 2020 for a quarterback, though that class is certainly loaded. If they want a quarterback right now, they could get Haskins or Lock (or another couple of guys who look solid) and get started on their replacement process right away.

This team is in need of a jolt at the position and right now, Haskins and Lock look like the top two guys from this class who could elevate a team.