Denver Broncos: Positions and players to target on Sunday
Quarterback
Before we get into the options here, it’s important to note what John Elway said when asked if he prefers a “prospect he likes” at the position or “someone who knows the offense”.
"“We want both. It would be nice to have both of that. I think that’s important specially going into the first week. Both of those help, but we’ll see what happens.” John Elway (quotes via Broncos PR)"
Alright. So, if that’s the case, here are some options the Broncos could look at via trade, waivers, or free agency.
Brian Hoyer (free agent)
The veteran Brian Hoyer fits one criterion — someone who knows the offense — of the two listed above. Not many fit both, and we are talking about roster cuts here, not free agency.
Hoyer was great for Kyle Shanahan back when the two were with the Browns, and worked with Rich Scangarello and TC McCartney (QBs coach) in 2017 with the 49ers. He was not good there, and the 49ers were not good, either.
The Broncos are expected to show interest here but they also believe they will have competition for Hoyer. Teams like the Seahawks and Colts also only have one healthy quarterback.
CJ Beathard/Nick Mullens (trade)
John Lynch did not get an offer for one of his backup quarterbacks that he deemed ‘to his liking’.
The 49ers are content with keeping all three of their QBs and they should be. But Beathard and Mullens are two players who fit both the criteria of prospects the Broncos would like and players who know the offense.
Mullens was Scangarello’s personal project in San Francisco.
Kyle Lauletta (waivers)
Lauletta was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, and those who have been watching the team closely this summer say he had a strong camp for them.
I know he walked off on the New England Patriots in preseason play on Thursday night with a touchdown pass.
Lauletta has the skill set of a starting NFL quarterback, but not really many elite traits. He is the prototypical backup QB. If the Broncos can’t trade for one of the 49ers’ guys, this kid might be the best pickup they could make.
Clayton Thorson (waivers)
Did the Broncos have a draftable grade on the rookie out of Northwestern? If that’s the case, he certainly doesn’t have experience but Thorson was an interesting prospect who worked out with or visited with Denver in the pre-draft process.
He was a fifth-round pick and would give the Broncos another young arm to develop.
Kyle Sloter (waivers)
If Brock Osweiler can come back after turning down $72 million, Sloter could come back after turning down a practice squad spot.
The preseason superstar struggles in practices but plays well in games. Sound like anyone else the Broncos have had at QB?
I don’t think he’s the best option out there but it would probably be comical the amount of jerseys he would sell.
Cardale Jones (waivers)
Cardale Jones was a fourth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills back in 2016, and many people thought he would need at least 2-3 years to develop at the time.
Well, it’s his fourth year in the NFL, and he’s coming off of his most impressive preseason yet.
Jones is an excellent athlete and appears poised to at least take on a backup role in the NFL somewhere. He was a surprise cut for the Chargers.
DeShone Kizer (waivers)
Kizer was a second-round pick in 2017 by the Cleveland Browns. He was traded by the Browns in 2018 to the Green Bay Packers. The Packers kept him for a year and have now cut him. It’s not a good sign for Kizer, who was considered a project coming out, but again — these guys are hitting waivers for a reason.
The money the Broncos saved by cutting Kevin Hogan could be spent — almost to the dime — on picking up the very talented Kizer. The game has just not slowed down for him yet.
Brandon Allen (waivers)
Allen completed a throw against Denver in a preseason game while he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams that has some people thinking he could be the team’s backup quarterback.
The 2016 sixth-round pick had no touchdown passes and three interceptions on 69 preseason pass attempts.