Good morning, Broncos Country!
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The excitement from the NFL Draft is waning. The Denver Broncos have been lauded for their picks. John Elway is being celebrated by many, and with good reason. He walked away with arguably the best defensive player in the draft in Bradley Chubb, a “Rolls” Royce Freeman at running back, wide receivers that could be contributors in 2018, some holes filled, and an exciting undrafted free agent class.
The addition of Chubb gives the Broncos the best defensive player in the draft and brings another pass rusher to the mix, giving the defense what Ian St. Clair and I have dubbed the Orange Rush. Continue to celebrate Denver grabbing Chubb with this awesome, vintage shirt.
#BradleyChubb + #Broncos defense = #OrangeRush https://t.co/gdZYcoz4WT
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) May 4, 2018
Amidst all of this excitement for Chubb, Elway also walked away from the draft without a quarterback of the future. As Ian and I stated on the Mile High Report Radio Podcast, the Broncos will enter the 2018 season with yet another quarterback competition. No, Case Keenum is the man in Denver for now. But what to make of Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly?
Elway has already made one decision. No other QB will be brought in during OTAs, which means the backup role will be played by either Lynch or Kelly. Some in Broncos Country see that as a vote of confidence for Lynch. Others are excited about the prospect of Kelly getting an opportunity.
What it really means is that the Broncos refused to reach for a player in the draft. We will now have a QB competition between a first-round draft pick and a seventh-round draft pick for the third-straight season. Once more Lynch will be given a chance to show he has grown as a player, while Kelly will finally get a chance to be on the field.
With the #Broncos not taking a QB in the draft, what does that mean for Paxton Lynch? @AdamMalnati16 & I discuss that on the latest @MileHighReport Radio Podcast. We also touch on Shane Ray's future, & how complete Elway's #NFLDraft was. https://t.co/vkbHytLkNH
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) May 2, 2018
As we discussed on the podcast, Lynch has shown flashes. His rookie season he was the best quarterback, in my opinion (yes, I know that carries NO weight), during the preseason. Gary Kubiak chose Trevor Siemian that season, and Lynch seemed to shrink. During his rookie campaign he came in against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and showed his first-round talent, but it was the last time he has looked like a legitimate NFL QB.
All of Kelly’s tape is from his time at Ole Miss. Some draft gurus gave him high marks. He also had flashes. He led the Rebels to a win over Alabama. His talent is also there, but he has injury and character concerns. Will he be able to overcome those problems and push Lynch to the side?
The Broncos didn't wind up taking a quarterback in this draft, and it's very interesting that John Elway said this afternoon that Chad Kelly will compete with Paxton Lynch to be Keenum's backup.
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) April 28, 2018
Maybe this is a genius move on the part of Elway. The media frenzy around the quarterback competition will take pressure off Keenum. While the focus will be on the backup competition, Keenum will be left alone to learn the playbook, and build rapport with his teammates.
For Elway, Lynch coming out on top (middle?) would be a small amount of vindication. He was picked as a two- or three-year project. Could this be the season it all comes together? If not, Kelly will continue the short tradition of Lynch losing to a seventh-round pick, thus completing Lynch’s journey to Bustville.
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Broncos Tracks
Sacco Sez: Playing to stats, not size
Jim Saccomano explains how one of the Broncos' new college free agents can learn from an old NFL legend.
Could Sutton and Hamilton wind up as next Broncos receiving duo?
Emmanuel Sanders won't shy away from teaching the young players.
Inside the Bills: GM Beane breaks down trading up twice in first round of NFL Draft – The Buffalo News
Brandon Beane thought he had a deal in place with John Elway ... until the Cleveland Browns took Denzel Ward with the fourth pick.
9news.com | Having overcome difficult life challenges, Keishawn Bierria sets out to make Broncos roster
When you say Keishawn Bierria is facing long odds to make the Broncos' 53-man roster as a late, sixth-round drafted rookie, please. What else you got?
Oregon running back Royce Freeman's fall to the Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos- ESPN
Oregon running back Royce Freeman fell to the Broncos in the third round, in part because of the yards he piled up in college.
The Most Fun Pairings Coming Out of the NFL Draft - The Ringer
The pass-rushing duo of Bradley Chubb and Von Miller were included on this list.
NFL Tracks
Ben Roethlisberger’s Mason Rudolph comments show the Steelers QB is salty - SBNation.com
The Steelers don’t have a classic QB controversy, but they have drama at the position anyway.
Patriots, Saints and Chargers still don’t have their QB of the future - SBNation.com
Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers aren’t getting any younger.
Pack GM confident Aaron Rodgers' deal coming soon - NFL.com
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn't worrying about getting a new long-term deal done with Aaron Rodgers. The GM said he's "confident" it will come soon.
Panthers rookie Ian Thomas showed perseverance on path to NFL - Carolina Panthers Blog- ESPN
Despite losing both parents by age 10, the TE lived with an older brother and quietly overcame every obstacle on his winding journey to Carolina.
NFL tells lawyer for cheerleaders that it’s willing to meet - The Washington Post
In letter to attorney Sara Blackwell, league proposes its first public action in growing controversy.
Age Played A Bigger Role In The NFL Draft. It’s About Time. | FiveThirtyEight
Teams once shied away from drafting underclassmen, though the numbers said they shouldn't.
The NFL Seems Really Worried About Maurice Hurst Playing Football
Former Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, initially projected as a first- or second-round talent in this year’s NFL draft, ended up falling to the final day last week, when the Raiders picked him up in the fifth round.