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Four reasons Denver Broncos won’t draft a QB with tenth pick

By Andrew Wade

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Drew Lock #3 of the Missouri Tigers attempts a pass during the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Drew Lock #3 of the Missouri Tigers attempts a pass during the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State upset West Virginia 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State upset West Virginia 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos have a great structure for a developmental QB

When the Denver Broncos brought in quarterback whisperer Rick Scangarello over from the San Francisco 49ers, it was a huge steal. Scangarello, operating under the direction of Kyle Shannahan, did some amazing things with his smorgus board of quarterbacks that featured a highly paid Jimmy Garoppollo, a former third-round draft pick in CJ Beathard, and an undrafted free agent in Nick Mullens.

When Garoppollo went down, it rightfully had 49er’s nation worried, and to be fair, the team stunk it up the rest of the season. Their quarterback situation, however, wasn’t all that bad.

CJ Beathard completed 60% of his passes as he threw for 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He finished with a quarterback rating of 81.8.

When Mullens took over due to an injury to Beathard, he proceeded to light it up. In his first career game on Thursday Night Football against the Oakland Raiders, Mullens threw for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns. He went on to throw for 2,277 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and a final QBR of 56.2. Also, don’t forget, this guy couldn’t even make an active roster after his collegiate career at Southern Miss ended.

Next. Five AAF players the Broncos should sign. dark

What this means (and what I am assuming) is that Scangarello is pretty confident in his abilities to develop young quarterbacks regardless of draft position. In turn, this may encourage John Elway to lean more towards the best player available approach in the first round with an eye towards drafting a developmental prospect in the middle rounds.

Guys like West Virginia’s Will Grier, Northwestern’s Clayton Thorson (who came in for a visit), and Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham are just a few guys that come to mind that would be available with a non-first round pick.

So, will the Denver Broncos risk the opportunity to win now by gambling on a fringe first-round talent at quarterback with their 10th overall pick?

It sure doesn’t seem to look that way.

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