Sean Payton could turn this rookie QB into Taysom Hill for Broncos

New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is known for his offensive innovation, and he could get quite creative with one of the players in this year’s rookie class.

Without a pick in the first or second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Broncos will have to rely on free agency to upgrade the roster instantly, but they need to be able to hit on the draft picks they have as well.

The Broncos do have Russell Wilson at quarterback but the team should consider addressing the backup quarterback spot and there is one player in this draft that has the Broncos written all over him.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan.

Duggan is expected to be a late-round pick in this draft but he is coming off of a phenomenal season with the Horned Frogs that saw him become the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy while taking his team to the national championship game.

The Broncos could use a day-three pick on the versatile quarterback and the reason why it makes so much sense is because of what Payton had when he was in New Orleans.

He had a star quarterback in Drew Brees, a player very similar to what the Broncos have in Wilson. But even with as good as Brees was, the team would insert Taysom Hill into the lineup in various situations and Payton made a star out of him.

Teams around the league need to use the Swiss-Army-Knife style of players more often. It’s what a team could have done with Tim Tebow if you ask me, but I digress.

Duggan has been compared to Tebow during his career thus far and the players even wear the same No. 15 on their jerseys.

The Jacksonville Jaguars did sign Tebow to try and put him at tight end during the Urban Meyer regime, but that didn’t work out. Hill is now listed as a tight end by the Saints but he can do a little bit of everything.

He can play quarterback as he can throw the ball and he is even more dangerous as a runner. He can line up at tight end, wide receiver or even running back. The Saints have even used him as a personal protector in punt formation.

This gives a unique play-caller a plethora of options and these plays are especially useful when a team is in a short-yardage situation or going for a two-point conversion. It allows them to do things like get creative with a fake punt or fake field goal.

Max Duggan could bring everything to Broncos that Taysom Hill brings to Saints

When Hill enters the game for the Saints, it keeps the defense guessing. Why is he out there? What is he going to do?

Payton did a masterful job of turning Hill into one of the best players on the field during Saints games and that is after Hill was cast away after one summer with the Green Bay Packers after he was signed as an undrafted rookie.

Hill has now been with the Saints for six seasons and he has a little bit of everything on his career stats sheet. Passing yards, rushing yards, return yards and even tackles, it’s all there.

He may not even be in the league anymore if it was not for the innovation of Payton.

Can Duggan be that kind of player? It’s a valid question to ask. It’s also one worth trying to answer with a pick in the fifth round or later.

The Broncos should think about using a draft pick on a quarterback in April. Max Duggan makes a lot of sense.