Sean Keeler: Michael Penix Jr. or Shedeur Sanders? Bo Nix or Riley Leonard? I just know the Broncos’ QB1 of the future is out there, somewhere. And that said QB1 of the future probably needs to be on a rookie contract once all the radioactive fallout from blowing up the Russell Wilson deal finally reaches terra firma. And that said QB1 of the future is not Jarrett Stidham. But here’s what I wanna know as mock drafting season kicks it up a notch: If you’re the combo of coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton, the hottest TV buddy cop show since Tubbs met Crockett, are you taking a flyer on that future franchise QB1 in this spring’s draft … or in 2025? My gut, after watching a ton of Pac-12 and Big Ten reps this past fall, is telling me the Broncos need to pull the trigger now. But what say you?
Ryan McFadden: Whether it’s this year or next, Denver’s next franchise quarterback should be through the draft. The dream scenario is the Broncos waiting to take a quarterback in 2025 and draft Sanders. I understand that’s a gamble, but so is taking any of these quarterbacks outside of Caleb Williams and Drake Maye in the first round. Penix raises questions with his injury history, while Bo Nix and J.J. McCarthy look like Day 2 selections. I think the Broncos will end up taking a quarterback in this draft, but they shouldn’t be pressured to use the No. 12 pick to do so. Denver has plenty of needs on both sides of the ball. The Broncos also need capital, so trading down and getting more picks would be smart.
Keeler: Most draftniks peg the ’24 QB crop as better at the high end, in the middle, and just pretty much everywhere compared to ’25. And that passes the eye test. To be fair, the potential QB1 pool 13-14 months from now isn’t, say, 2022 lousy, and top-end guys are probably going to be workable regardless. The problem with ’25 compared to this spring? Depth. And I have a hard time seeing the Broncos either willfully or accidentally being terrible enough, even with a potential veteran exodus, to lock down a top-six or top-five pick in 2025 that moves you to the front of the line. For one, Payton’s not the tanking type. For another, when your coach gives you a high floor while your closest competitors are as volatile (and goofy) as the Chargers and Raiders, you might luck into 6-7 wins in a given year whether you’re tanking or not.
McFadden: I agree. That’s why I said it’s a gamble to assume Denver will be in a position to draft Sanders in 2025. Payton doesn’t seem like the guy who’s interested in doing a rebuild, especially after watching this team do a complete 180 after its 1-5 start. Even though some are high on this class, I don’t think the Broncos will get a Day 1 starter, no matter which quarterback they select. And that’s ok. I always thought the Broncos’ best path forward with the quarterback position was rolling with Wilson for at least two more seasons and drafting a quarterback to develop. That plan can still work, but instead of Wilson and a young understudy, it will be Stidham and Penix, Nix or McCarthy.
Keeler: I’m still rolling the dice this spring, even if it means waiting to land a diamond (McCarthy?) in Day 2. Do you want to know the other real shame of the Broncos’ collective contract purgatories? This spring’s draft features a deep wide receiver class, too. In other words (note sarcasm here), the perfect market in which to try to shop comparatively expensive and inconsistent targets such as Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy on the open market. No wonder other GMs reportedly laughed away the Broncos’ trade offers. Double down on enough questionable hands, and it’ll cost you. And if you’re curious, spring of ’26 is the earliest super QB prospect Arch Manning can test the draft waters. But, hey, what’s a lost decade between friends?
McFadden: The Broncos will take a quarterback at some point in the draft. It’s the safest move the team can make. They are not in the position to trade for another quarterback or sign someone like Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield. Even if they were in that position, it’s time for them to draft and develop a QB. I think it’s a risk to draft a signal caller in the first round unless Williams or Maye falls out of the top five. But if the Broncos can get someone like Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the 12th overall selection and get a quarterback on the second day of the draft, they are cooking.
When it comes to Denver’s wide receivers, you are right. This year’s class doesn’t help the Broncos if they are trying to part ways with either Jeudy or Sutton. Denver should’ve taken whatever teams previously offered for both receivers in the past. I still believe they need to move on from Jeudy. After watching him this season, both sides should go their separate ways. Maybe a team might think it can get more out of Jeudy than Denver and offer a pick or two.
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