Report: Broncos GM John Elway and Matt Russell scouting the Oregon and Washington game

According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway and Director of Player Personnel Matt Russell will be attending the Oregon vs. Washington game today in Eugene, Oregon.

Klis goes on to state that the Broncos biggest needs “right now” are at offensive tackle and cornerback. He goes on to name multiple prospects off each team who fits that criteria.

“As it stands now, the Broncos’ greatest need is at cornerback and offensive tackle, where Washington has redshirt sophomore Byron Murphy and senior Trey Adams (who is out for the season with a back injury) as projected first-round picks.

Other potential high-round picks in this game are Oregon edge rusher Justin Hollins and linebacker/safety Troy Dye and Washington strong safety Taylor Rapp, receiver Aaron Fuller, linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven and defensive tackle Greg Gaines.”

That’s great.

However, John Elway doesn’t go to many games to watch a cornerback or offensive tackles. He has scouts and executives who do that. When Elway attends a game, he is going to watch one specific position, and that position is the quarterback position.

Not even one year ago, Elway watched Josh Allen’s and Sam Darnold’s bowl games. He requested to have Baker Mayfield on their Senior Bowl roster and he met and worked all of them out at some point. So I am willing to bet that John Elway is there to see Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert up close and through his own eyes.

Herbert is a 6’6”, 234lb quarterback with a big arm and plus athleticism. He fits the profile of an “Elway quarterback” and the Broncos have a need there.

Currently, they have Case Keenum who has been a disappointment signed to a two-year deal and former seventh-round pick Chad Kelly as his backup. Keenum isn’t the future and may not even be back with the team next year and we have yet to see what Kelly can do in a regular season game(we will soon). So it makes sense for Elway to start looking at the top quarterback prospects in this year’s class.

Washington’s Jake Browning is the other quarterback who they may be watching but Herbert has top 5 pick potential and is the notable prospect(right now at least) at the quarterback position.

With the way the Broncos are likely trending, a top 5 or 10 pick isn’t out of the question again and Herbert makes a ton of sense. This could all be due diligence by the Broncos top decision makers, but anytime Elway goes out to watch one of the top quarterback prospects in the upcoming draft it is noteworthy.