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With Joe Flacco in the fold, what's next for the Broncos at quarterback?

Zac Stevens Avatar
February 18, 2019
USATSI 11586834 2

The first domino in the Broncos’ quarterback carousel has fallen as Denver has agreed to a trade acquire Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens.

While Broncos GM John Elway wasn’t shy in stating that Case Keenum wasn’t the team’s future quarterback, it’s unknown whether he believes Flacco is the long-term answer or merely a bridge to that next quarterback.

Until training camp rolls around, there will still be plenty of buzz on Denver’s quarterback situation. Will they still draft a QB? Who will the backup be?

And with either scenario, the options are aplenty.

With the being said, here’s every single quarterback that could be available this offseason and which ones the Broncos would have interest in adding alongside Flacco.

FREE AGENTS

Still an option

Ryan Fitzpatrick — Fitzmagic would bring a spark to Denver’s quarterback room, as he’s done at nearly all of his stops. But realistically, the Broncos would hope he never saw the field. This, along with Flacco as the starting quarterback, would be another win-now move, albeit for a backup role.

Tyrod Taylor — Tyrod and Flacco reunited once again. Not only does the former Buffalo Bill have the stats to entice as a backup — 53 touchdowns to 20 interceptions — but he would fit the profile of a Rich Scangarello quarterback. He would be a high-end backup.

Davis Webb — Webb has bounced around his entire collegiate and professional career. But the former third-round pick has similar physical tools to Flacco — 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and a strong arm. He makes a lot of sense as a cheap, developmental quarterback.

Highly unlikely

Teddy Bridgewater — Elway could have landed the former first-round pick in free agency last year, but showed no interest. Bridgewater has high upside, but hasn’t been a starting quarterback since 2015 in large part due to a gruesome leg injury. He could, however, be an enticing backup.

Robert Griffin III — Another potential reunion for Flacco. But leaving Baltimore makes no sense for the former Rookie of the Year.

Off the board

Ryan Tannehill — The former No. 8 overall pick is still under contract with the Dolphins, but reports indicate they’ll move on from him this offseason. This certainly isn’t the headline-grabbing move Broncos fans are clamoring for, but, when healthy, Tannehill would be an upgrade, but he doesn’t fit with Flacco already in the fold.

Josh McCown — The soon-to-be 40-year-year-old quarterback would be the perfect person to help groom a young quarterback, but Flacco doesn’t need any grooming.

Why bother?

Matt Schaub, Matt Cassel, Nate Sudfeld, Geno Smith, Joe Webb, Mark Sanchez, Josh Johnson, Brock Osweiler, Brandon Weeden, Ryan Griffin, David Fales, Sean Mannion, Tom Savage, Austin Davis, Taylor Heinicke, Brett Hundley, Trevor Siemian, Alex Tanney, Trevone Boykin, Brad Kaaya and Garett Gilbert.

TRADES

Still an option

Nick Mullens, San Francisco — There are many reasons this makes sense. First and foremost, Scangarello loves Mullens. Denver’s new offensive coordinator convinced the 49ers to sign Mullens as an undrafted free agent and then groomed him the past two years in the Bay. Additionally, the 49ers already have their quarterback of the future, Jimmy Garoppolo, and their backup C.J. Beathard. Finally, Elway and John Lynch have an excellent relationship and have done many deals in the past. In eight games last year, Mullens impressed, throwing for 2,277 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also torched the Broncos’ defense. The undrafted signal caller would be Denver’s ideal developmental quarterback behind Flacco if they don’t land one in the draft.

Highly unlikely

Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis — As the Colts’ starting quarterback in 2017, Brissett quietly impressed during his first stint as a full-time starter. The former third-round pick has one year remaining on his contract, and the Colts could look to get value for him before he hits free agency. In Denver, he would yet again take a backseat, this time to Flacco. But Denver would be able to see in person if there was any long-term potential in him.

Off the board

Nick Foles, Philadelphia — The Broncos checked in on acquiring Foles before trading for Flacco. But that ship has sailed.

Derek Carr, Oakland — Jon Gruden has proven that no player is safe as the Raiders make their transition to Las Vegas. But this move won’t be happening. It’s not the inter-divisional trade that takes this option off the board, it’s Flacco in the Mile High City that does.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit — According to BSN sources, the Broncos have quietly been poking around about acquiring Stafford for years. But Flacco likely came at a much cheaper price — both in terms of trade compensation and future salary.

Eli Manning, New York Giants — This trade would have made sense three years ago, but not today.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans — This was never really an option. And it won’t happen. But it would be entertaining, to say the least.

Why bother?

Joshua Dobbs (Pittsburgh), Mike Glennon (Arizona), Sam Bradford (Arizona), Blake Bortles (Jacksonville) and Drew Stanton (Cleveland).

DRAFT

Still an option

Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State — Haskins is QB No. 1 according to many draft experts. If the Broncos land him, there’s no doubt he’s the future. The 6-foot-3 quarterback likely won’t be available at No. 10. If Elway wants him, Denver will have to jump up to get him.

Drew Lock, Missouri — One of the worst kept secrets in the Mile High City is John Elway’s love for Drew Lock. Elway’s witnessed a game of his in person at Missouri and an entire week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Lock’s got the size (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), arm strength and personality that John’s looking for. He could fall to the Broncos at No. 10, but don’t be surprised if a team, especially the Broncos, trades up to grab him. The trade for Flacco, however, could have been an indication that Elway’s love for Lock was merely lust.

Daniel Jones, Duke — Jones looks like the prototypical franchise quarterback. He’s got the size (6-foot-5, 220 pounds), arm strength and brains (a Duke grad). But Jones didn’t have incredible tape or numbers in college. Some view him as the second-best quarterback in the draft, and others view him as a late-first-round pick. He would benefit developing for a year behind Flacco.

Garner Minshew, Washington State — Minshew tore up the Pac-12 in his lone year at Washington State, but there are doubts if his game will translate to the NFL. His physical traits are underwhelming, but he is accurate.

Jarrett Stidman, Auburn — The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback entered the 2018 season as one of the highest-rated quarterbacks for the 2019 draft. But a disappointing season dropped his stock. The talent still remains.

Ryan Finley, NC State — The 24-year old has plenty of experience and is a prototypical pro-style quarterback, but is viewed as a developmental quarterback after having a down 2018 season.

Will Grier, West Virginia — Grier’s value has been all over the place the past few months. Currently, he’s viewed as a Day 2 to early Day 3 pick. His collegiate numbers are enticing — 81 passing touchdowns to only 23 interceptions.

Brett Rypien, Boise State — Rypien proved he could rip the ball during his time with the Broncos, but right now he’s viewed purely as a late-round backup.

Jordan Ta’amu, Ole Miss — The 6-foot-2, 212-pound quarterback is viewed as an ideal mid-round, developmental quarterback with many enticing traits, such as accuracy and mobility.

Unlikely

Kyler Murray, Oklahoma — The 5-foot-10 quarterback is the ultimate wild card in the draft. The Heisman winner could be the first quarterback drafted and end up being the next Patrick Mahomes, or the NFL could chew him up and spit him out, and he could be on the diamond playing baseball. In terms of the Broncos, Murray doesn’t profile as an Elway guy off the bat — pun intended.

Career backup

Clayton Thorson (Northwestern), Nick Fitzgerald (Mississippi State), Easton Stick (North Dakota State), Tyree Jackson (Buffalo) and Trace McSorley (Penn State).


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