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According to KUSA-TV's Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos are expected to draft a quarterback at some point during this week's NFL Draft.
First story for http://t.co/oAT1ngOAK3. Broncos will look to draft a quarterback - but what round? http://t.co/73L0rwPrCa via @9News
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) April 27, 2015
It makes sense for the Broncos to draft a quarterback. Peyton Manning is 39 years old and is probably playing his last season in the NFL, and Brock Osweiler is entering the final year of his rookie contract. So the Broncos could potentially be without a quarterback on their roster at seasons end.
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The big question surrounding this report is whether that quarterback will be drafted on day two or day three of the NFL Draft. ESPN's John Gruden believes that decision will come down to how they feel about former second round pick Brock Osweiler.
"It depends on how much they like Osweiler," said ESPN Monday Night Football commentator Jon Gruden. "None of us really know because he hasn't played much except for some mop-up duty late in games. So I think it all depends on how much they like the progress they have seen with Brock Osweiler."
The Broncos spent a second round pick on Brock Osweiler back in 2012 after they signed quarterback Peyton Manning. His presence on the Broncos roster has kept Osweiler on the sideline since.
Klis says that if the Broncos indeed draft a quarterback in the second or third rounds that the perception will be that they do not believe in Osweiler.
If the Broncos take a quarterback in the second or third rounds, they will have sent the message they are not sold on Osweiler as their future. That may not be fair. But that will be the perception.
Now if the Broncos decide to take a quarterback during the third day of the draft it will mean that they're simply adding competition for third-string quarterback Zac Dysert.
#Broncos search for a QB in the draft narrowing. Bryce Petty, Chris Bonner, Garrett Grayson, Trevor Siemian all possible names...
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) April 24, 2015
Now the names that continue to be mentioned to the Denver Broncos are Baylor's Bryce Petty, CSU's Garrett Grayson, CSU-Pueblo's Chris Bonner, and Northwestern's Trevor Siemian.
The Broncos have been connected to Petty and Grayson throughout the entire process. It was reported last month that Garrett Grayson was a "favorite of the Broncos", and the Broncos also were connected to both Petty and Grayson during the Senior Bowl.
It's unlikely that either Petty or Grayson will be available when the Broncos are on the clock at 59, so they may decide to trade up for one of them. They also could decide to stand pat and select whoever they like best at 59, or decide to trade back into the third round.
It will be interesting to see if they consider UCLA's Brett Hundley and Oregon State's Sean Mannion in the second. The Broncos haven't been rumored to be interested in either, but that doesn't mean they're not.
The two late round quarterback's that have been connected to the Broncos are Chris Bonner and Trevor Siemian.
They attended CSU-Pueblo's Pro Day to watch Bonner, and at the time the Broncos were displaying the greatest interest in Bonner. They also attended the Northwestern Pro Day to watch Trevor Siemian, and he also had dinner with Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp earlier this month.
The Broncos have been doing their homework on a select few quarterbacks in this class, and it would not be a surprise if they decided to draft one of them.
If the Broncos do decide to take a quarterback during day two of the draft my choice would be CSU's Garrett Grayson. I believe he's the most pro-ready quarterback in the group mentioned. He played in a pro-style offense in college and often made calls/audibles at the line.
According USA Today's Tom Pelissero, one veteran NFL executive believes that Grayson could end up better than Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Grayson was better than all of them," said the executive, who spoke with USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity for competitive reasons. "I just think he's got the intangibles. He's got a good presence about himself in the pocket. He's got the physical traits. His arm's strong enough, and I think he's got the right temperament."
My late round choice would be CSU-Pueblo's Chris Bonner. He's a very raw quarterback but has the skill set teams look for in a guy. He would give Head Coach Gary Kubiak a project quarterback to groom.
Klis mentions that the Broncos won't consider at quarterback in the first round because they have much bigger needs elsewhere.
The Broncos, who don't pick until the No. 28 overall selection, will likely come away with an offensive tackle, unless in the unlikely event Florida State center Cameron Erving is still available.
The Broncos are going to draft a quarterback at some point, and it might be sooner than we all expect.
Go Broncos!