Broncos are having formal meetings with QBs Mayfield, Allen, Rosen, Darnold, Jackson and Rudolph

According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos are holding formal interviews with quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson and Mason Rudolph tonight at the Scouting Combine.

As we know, the Broncos are in the market for a starting quarterback and they are leaving no stone unturned while at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. They’re meeting with the top six quarterback prospects in the draft and four to five of these quarterbacks likely go in the first-round of the 2018 NFL Draft. So it makes a ton of sense for them to meet with these guys and get to know the best they can while they have the chance too.

USC’s Sam Darnold is considered to be the favorite to be the Browns top overall pick, but anything is possible when it comes to the Browns. He left USC early and still is only 20 years young, but has a ton of upside. I think he should sit his rookie year, but the upside and potential for him to be a very good quarterback are there. I think it’s unlikely the Broncos have a chance to select him unless they trade up to the number one pick.

UCLA’s Josh Rosen is my number one quarterback in this draft. He may not have the top upside of some of the other prospects, but he is still damn good. He lacks the athletic traits the other QB’s have, but he’s intelligent and the most pro-ready passer in the draft. He has some character and injury(concussion) concerns but the talent is there. I think Rosen is high on the Broncos quarterback list.

Baker Mayfield might be the most talked about quarterback prospect of this group. He has the accolades and numbers to say he should be the number one quarterback in this draft. However, height, hand-size, and scheme fit have him behind the top two quarterback prospects. There are many differing opinions on Mayfield on and off the field so the better the Broncos get to know Mayfield, the better. I think he’s the most likely quarterback drafted by the Broncos of the group.

Next comes the flame-throwing Josh Allen. The former Wyoming quarterback has an all-time great cannon for an arm, but his accuracy and footwork/mechanics are big-time concerns. He is the big boom or bust quarterback prospect in this draft. Allen could go anywhere from the top overall pick to probably the 15-20 range. I’m guessing top 7 because someone will fall in love with his traits. Elway loves quarterbacks like Allen, so he’s near Mayfield in odds of being the quarterback drafted by the Broncos if they go that route.

Let's get this out of the way right now, Lamar Jackson is a quarterback. Simple as that. He needs work as a passer but none more than Josh Allen who I just said could go number one overall. Low comp %, but has plenty of traits and potential to be a very good quarterback prospect. Add in his Michael Vick like running ability and you have a weapon at quarterback. I do not think the Broncos will have interest in Jackson. He just doesn’t fit their mold.

Finally, we have Oklahoma State’s, Mason Rudolph. He doesn’t do anything great, but he does a lot of things well. He’s got the prototypical size you look for, a good enough arm to make most throws in the NFL. He also has good intelligence to make reads as a quarterback. However, he has a big learning curve when it comes to doing everything an NFL quarterback has to do. He is a day two quarterback for me with long-term fringe starter/backup qualities.

Of course, all these guys are taking a back seat to Kirk Cousins who per multiple reports now is the Broncos top option at quarterback. Getting to know these rookies and having a solid fall back option is ideal so I like that they are doing their due diligence here.

If the Broncos strikeout on Kirk Cousins, I’d imagine the majority of these guys will make the trip to the Mile High City and visit the Broncos facility prior to the draft.

Update:

Make that seven quarterbacks. According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, they will also meet with Washinton State quarterback Luke Falk.