Broncos Exploring Options at QB: Ryan Edwards

Broncos Exploring Options at QB

Ryan Edwards

“If Aaron Rodgers can slip to 24, than why can’t Paxton Lynch drop to 31. It happens.”

The Fan’s 9 News Broncos Insider Mike Klis was a guest on Sandy and Stokley today and was peppered about the Broncos intentions in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Klis isn’t saying the former Memphis QB is the next Aaron Rodgers, however, if the Broncos really love him as their quarterback of the future, getting him at 31 or even moving up to get him, is a sincere possibility. “There’s only a few teams that need a young quarterback. I don’t think he falls to 31 but there’s a chance he could fall into the 20’s and if the Broncos love Paxton Lynch they could make a move.”

https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/719971126701531136

Lynch visited the Broncos on Tuesday while Michigan State QB Connor Cook attended a pre-draft visit on Wednesday. Denver is doing their due-diligence on quarterbacks that are projected to be in range at the 31st overall pick as they might be looking to add their expected franchise quarterback of the future. This is especially true if a trade with the 49ers for QB Colin Kaepernick can’t be facilitated. “If they don’t get Kaepernick, then you have to look for your quarterback in this draft,” says Klis. “Hoyer, Sanchez or McCown are 1-year band-aid situations for [the Broncos].”

The 49ers have the 7th overall pick and are in play for either the top two QBs in NDSU’s Carson Wentz or Cal’s Jared Goff. Klis speculates that if the 49ers take a quarterback at the 7th pick, a trade with the Broncos will likely be facilitated. “Here’s a scenario: The 49ers, with the #7 pick, wind up with Jared Goff and then you see Kaepernick traded to the Broncos before they are on the clock at 31.” That trade could change the trajectory of the Broncos early draft picks, but until April 28th, it’s only a situation to monitor rather anything imminent.

Prior to draft night, if a trade for Colin Kaepernick were to get done with the Broncos, Klis believes that San Francisco would have to give a little in the negotiations. “The only way this gets done is if the 49ers agree to kick in money,” said Klis. He went on to speculate that if the 49ers were to bring in $3 million, the Broncos could budge a little bit from their offer of $7 million. Currently, the Broncos are asking San Francisco to kick in $4.9 million of Kapernick’s $11.9 million guaranteed salary. Colin hasn’t seemed inclined to take a $4.9 million pay-cut to join the Broncos, so if the 49ers don’t kick in the remainder, the structured deal may be dead.

It seems that the NFL Draft, one way or another, will likely give Broncos fans the most clarity on the quarterback situation for the upcoming season. For now, fans will have to trust that the organization is exploring all options and possibilities prior to draft night. It’s fair to say that any of the quarterback options available to Denver, including in the draft, come with varying levels of risk. One can hope that, through the QB competition in August, there will be more clarity at that position than fans currently have in April.

Ryan Edwards

@ryanedwards1043

TOP PHOTO CREDIT: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports