Todd McShay mocks Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen to the Broncos

ESPN’s draft expert Todd McShay has released his first mock draft of the year and he has the Broncos addressing the quarterback position. Many want Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield but McShay has the Broncos taking the very raw Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen.

If there ever was a “John Elway quarterback”, Allen would be it. He has the height, he has a cannon for an arm, he’s athletic, and he also is super raw/project. This basically sums up his last two high round quarterback selections.

Here is what McShay had to say about his reasoning behind this selection.

5. Denver Broncos

Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming*

Even after taking Paxton Lynch No. 26 overall in 2016, the Broncos are clearly still in need of a franchise QB. Lynch has thrown only 97 passes in two seasons, and he was beaten by Trevor Siemian for the starting QB spot this season. If Denver doesn't address the position in free agency, Allen should be the pick. There's no question that he struggled this season at Wyoming and needs to improve his decision-making, but he lost four of his skill position players from 2016 to the NFL. Allen has an elite arm and is a physical freak in terms of his skill set. His stock should rise in the postseason process.

I have mixed feelings about Allen. Yes, he looks the part much like Paxton Lynch did, but he’s likely not day one ready and will need some seasoning before taking that next step or two as an NFL quarterback. Again, another “boom or bust quarterback”, and I am not sure that is what this team needs right now.

First off, I think Allen will go in the same range that Paxton Lynch went. To a playoff team that has an aging quarterback(Steelers?) and can let him sit and grow before hitting the field. I would absolutely not take him in the top 5. I have my doubts about the Broncos interest in either Baker Mayfield or Lamar Jackson, but I’d take both over Allen right now no questions asked.

Here is the order McShay has the quarterbacks going in his mock draft.

1: Sam Darnold - Cleveland Browns

2: Josh Rosen - New York Giants

5: Josh Allen - Denver Broncos

19: Baker Mayfield - Los Angeles Chargers

Now there is some silver lining for Allen. He played for Craig Bohl at Wyoming, the same coach who helped develop current Eagles quarterback and potential MVP candidate Carson Wentz. The offense he runs is one of the more “pro-style” offenses you will see in college, so he would at least have some experience there. The learning curve wouldn’t be nearly as steep as it was for Paxton Lynch who was in a very simple college offense at Memphis.

It’s a very safe bet that John Elway will be a fan of Allen’s but I highly doubt he would take the Wyoming signal caller at 5. It’s very early in the process, but this is one name to watch and one who likely be connected to the Broncos a lot this offseason.