In an ESPN column highlighting teams that need a quarterback, Jeff Legwold says the Denver Broncos are likely to draft defense in round one.
What will the Denver Broncos do in the 2019 NFL Draft? That’s anybody’s guess. Well, Jeff Legwold has suggested that Denver will draft a defensive player in the first round, and go after the most important position on a football team—a quarterback—later on.
Guys they could go after include defensive tackles Ed Oliver and Quinnen Williams, Edge rusher Josh Allen, or linebackers Devin White and Devin Bush.
If the team decides to go that route, they would potentially be passing on the opportunity to draft quarterbacks Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, Daniel Jones and Drew Lock. There is no guarantee that two of those players would be on the board after nine picks, but there is still the possibility of trading up.
Quarterbacks that would be available in later rounds include Ryan Finley, Clayton Thorson, Will Grier, and Jarrett Stidham.
I personally agree with Legwold, for the most part. I am a big fan of linebacker Devin White and he has shown interest—along with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb—of joining the Denver Broncos. Do I think that would happen? No, I doubt they would take a linebacker in round one, unless he or Devin Bush drop.
I feel like the Broncos would not pass on an offensive lineman like Jawaan Taylor or Jonah Williams, even if they would have to move out of their current draft spot to select one.
Drafting a quarterback in the first round isn’t quite as risky anymore. Before the draft slots came into play, teams were paying their top selections money in the neighborhood of $50 million guaranteed.
That being said, that still does not make me comfortable selecting a quarterback in the first round. Plus, it is not very necessary, as the Broncos traded for Joe Flacco earlier this year.
Drafting an immediate impact player in the first round is the most ideal scenario for the Broncos. The idea of selecting a quarterback who will sit behind Joe Flacco until he retires (or any other scenario) just doesn’t sit well with me.