Broncos Roundtable: Who will be Denver’s starting quarterback year from now?

 

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In the four years of the Peyton Manning era, the Broncos had a total of two quarterbacks start games for them.

Going on their fourth year without the future-Hall-of-Fame quarterback, Denver’s on their sixth different starter under center. Make it seven if Drew Lock gets in before the end of the season.

So, while the Broncos disperse across the globe on their bye week, it’s time to take a look at the team beyond this season and explore just how much will continue to change in a year’s time.

The DNVR Broncos Crew takes a peek into the future.

WHO WILL BE DENVER’S STARTING QUARTERBACK ONE YEAR FROM NOW?

Ryan

Drew Lock — At this point, I can’t say I’m too convicted in this answer because of how bizarre the Broncos’ handling of Lock has been to this point. With that said, I’m playing the percentages a bit here.

As a second-round pick with many first-round attributes, Lock is going to get a chance to show that he’s “the guy” at some point. The small sample size that he’s hopefully going to get at the end season won’t be enough to determine that, but I think he’ll show enough that the Broncos feel comfortable giving him the reins next season.

More than any quarterback the Broncos have had since Peyton Manning, Lock has “it” going for him. When he gets his chance, I see him succeeding.

Zac

Drew Lock — As nervewracking, confusing and frustrating as it is to see Drew Lock not even make it on the practice field even as the Broncos sit at 3-6, the handling of the talented second-round pick shouldn’t be a massive surprise.

From the moment John Elway drafted Lock in the second round, he made it clear he was going to take the long and slow route of developing him, comparing he and Joe Flacco to the Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers situation a decade ago when Rodgers sat on the bench developing behind Favre for three full years.

While it’s clear—or at least should be clear—that Flacco won’t keep Lock on the bench for anywhere close to three years, it’s not shocking that Elway is taking it slow with Lock.

That being said, Lock should see the field this year. Unfortunately, if the team is hesitant whether he’s the long-term answer at quarterback, Denver is winning their way out of position to draft a top quarterback next year.

Sure, Elway could trade the future to move up and get his guy—I’m looking at you Justin Herbert—but nothing from Elway’s past has shown he would make that move.

Thus, Lock will get one full year as a starter to prove to Denver whether he’s the guy or not.

Mase

Justin Herbert — Since Peyton Manning’s retirement, the Broncos have tried almost everything at quarterback: A Day 3 draft pick (Trevor Siemian), a late first-round pick (Paxton Lynch), a reclamation project who returned to the team (Brock Osweiler), a high-profile free agent (Case Keenum), a veteran acquired via trade (Joe Flacco) and a waiver claim (Brandon Allen). If Lock starts before the end of the season, you can add a Day 2 pick to that mix.

What they haven’t tried is an early first-round pick — specifically in the top 10 selections — which historically offers the best success odds of any range of the draft (as it should).

John Elway scouted Herbert last year at Oregon. In a radio interview with Orange and Blue 760 last Dec. 26 — the day Herbert announced he would return to Oregon for his senior season — Elway praised him.

“We were a little bit surprised he decided to go back, but understand why he went [back],” Elway said. “He’s going to be a good player in this league. He just decided that you know what he’s going to stay around one more year. All that will do is help him and make him a better football player, and the thought as far as what people think of him is not going to do go down between his junior and senior years.”

Herbert checks the size and arm talent boxes. He also fits into the leadership and experience template the Broncos have followed for most of their picks the last two years.

If Allen can surprise or Lock sizzles if and when he starts, the Broncos will go with one of those two. But if not, and the Broncos find themselves in the market, Herbert might be hard for them to pass up.

WHAT POSITION WILL DENVER DRAFT IN THE FIRST ROUND?

Ryan

Left tackle and wide receiver — Unfortunately, the Garett Bolles experiment has ended in a fiery failure. The Broncos simply cannot go any longer with Bolles at left tackle, and despite the fact that they haven’t made any changes there yet, they know they need a change before next season.

With that in mind, I believe the team will use their top pick on a left tackle, but they won’t be done there.

In one of the deepest wide receiver classes in history, I think if a player Denver loves falls to the end of the first, the Broncos will use some of their draft capital to go back into the end of the round and secure themselves a star for five years.

Aside from Courtland Sutton, the Broncos’ WR cupboard is entirely bare, they need to upgrade there, too.

Zac

Left tackle — Look no further than what Vic Fangio said on Monday about Denver’s current left tackle situation to figure this one out.

“I think Garett [Bolles] kind of plays with more confidence than you think and maybe that is warranted. He didn’t play too bad yesterday,” Fangio stated, after pondering the question unusually longer than most. “If the guy has talent, we want to maximize every opportunity to develop it.”

Does that sound like a coach who has the utmost confidence in the former first-round pick?

It appears the Broncos are going to give Bolles the remainder of this season to try and “develop” his talents. But as he leads the league in penalties and holding penalties over halfway through the season, it’s clear his time is running out.

Additionally, Denver is winning its way out of the quarterback market in next year’s draft, which could put them in prime position to take a top tackle after the run on QBs.

Mase

Quarterback — Since I suggested Herbert would be starting a year from now, I have to be consistent.

But if Lock or Allen is the answer — or the Broncos again look to a veteran quarterback who could become available on the market — then left tackle could be the target. Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs could fit the bill perfectly for the Broncos. If they don’t re-sign Chris Harris Jr., cornerback becomes a significant need that they may have to fill early.

WHICH PLAYER(S) WILL THE BRONCOS SIGN TO A NEW CONTRACT BEFORE THE END OF THE SEASON?

Ryan

Derek Wolfe — Justin Simmons is the easy answer here so I’ll go a little deeper into the bag with Wolfe.

First of all, Wolfe is straight ballin’ this year. With five sacks on the books already, he is on pace to crush his career-high of six. And his run defense has been superb, as well. It’s clear Vic Fangio’s scheme has unlocked the Derek Wolfe of old.

Additionally, Wolfe is at home in Denver and has never expressed much of a desire to leave.

If the Broncos approach him with a solid offer before the season is over, I think Derek would be happy to sign up for a wire-to-wire career as a Bronco.

Zac

Justin Simmons — Much like what position the Broncos will draft in the first round next year, the answer can be found just by listening to the head coach.

“I’ve liked him early on from getting here. I do like Justin, I think he’s a really good player,” Fangio said on Monday, singing the praises of Justin Simmons. “I see a bright future for him in a Broncos uniform.”

Bada bing bada boom.

Fangio said it plain and simple—he likes Simmons and he wants him here for the long haul. And there’s no reason John Elway wouldn’t want to sign up one of his successful draft picks.

But don’t get me wrong, it won’t come cheap. But it will come before the forgettable season comes to an end.

Mase

Simmons — He is the first choice, and along with Chris Harris Jr., the most ibid