With the 10th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos have some curious options. Some draft networks have the team trading up, wanting to select a quarterback. Others have them standing pat and going defense-specifically addressing the D-line, while others think offensive tackle and even the potential for a wide receiver to compliment the newest acquisition, quarterback Joe Flacco is possible.
All reasonable picks in the land of mock drafts.
However, in a league where offense is king, and the quarterback position is more critical than ever, General Manager John Elway may choose to keep up with that trend and find a young back up now.
Denver, coming off of a 6-10 season and now two seasons removed from a 24-10 Super Bowl win over the Carolina Panthers, has slipped. The quarterback position has become a revolving door with Flacco, the latest slated to take snaps after a mediocre season with journeyman Case Keenum.
Most problematic is the AFC West.
The Broncos are now looking up at the Kansas City Chiefs with NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, and veteran Philip Rivers of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Bottom line, the division is no toss-up, and quarterback play is critical.
Does Flacco measure up? Fans will find out if he can be another successful reclamation project like Peyton Manning was, or if the Baltimore Ravens sent him packing at just the right time.
Either way, the Broncos have options and decisions to be made. Here are five potential picks who change the landscape in Denver in 2019.
Daniel Jones-Quarterback, Duke
When the Denver Broncos acquired quarterback Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens, it was the very definition of a quick fix in the Mile High City. But make no mistake, Flacco is a stopgap, a placeholder for the young gun who assumes the reigns for an Elway team.
In 2019, the Broncos need to draft a quarterback sooner rather than later. Waiting for what may be down the road in 2020 is a bad plan, and Flacco just isn't a long term fix.
One plan Denver may adopt is the one used by AFC West rival Kansas City, and draft a quarterback to sit for a season behind Flacco just as Patrick Mahomes did.
That player could be Daniel Jones from Duke.
Jones is a player Elway could and should trade up for, especially as the name Kyler-Murray picks up steam in places like Arizona and New York.
Jones is 6-foot-5 inches and has a pedigree Elway and the Broncos know well. After four seasons at Duke and playing under the tutelage of head coach David Cutcliffe, former Denver QB Peyton Manning could loom large as an advocate for Jones.
Andre Dillard-Offensive Tackle, Washington State
The premium on offensive lineman won't be lost on a team like the Denver Broncos. With a now aging quarterback in Flacco at the helm of the offense, keeping him upright for 16 games is now a critical element in the game plan come the 2019 NFL Draft.
If the Broncos hold at the tenth pick and don't trade up for a quarterback, Denver could be smart and draft for the offensive line, specifically Andre Dillard from Washington State.
Dillard is a big kid weighing in at 310lbs. He also stands 6-foot-4 and has a projected 40 time of 5.10, and had a solid senior season.
He's a player who is quick and athletic who many scouts believe will project as a steady left tackle in the NFL, and a potential smart pick for Denver.
Parris Campbell-Wide Receiver, Ohio State
If fans are looking for tools that will help a quarterback like Joe Flacco, then a position like receiver could get some attention come the tenth pick of the NFL Draft.
Flacco, who still throws a nice ball, will always benefit from a player who can catch a deep pass. With a Broncos defense slated to be one of the better ones in the league, a home run hitter could be just the thing to get Denver over the hump.
Parris Campbell is a player who could make a big impression in his first season as a Broncos wide receiver.
The 6’-0”, 205 lbs pass catcher from Ohio State had 90 receptions for 1,063 yards and logged 12 touchdowns. He's an explosive type of receiver who can get big yards after the catch. He's also a solid route runner who won't drop many footballs.
Drew Lock-Quarterback, Missouri
If the Denver Broncos decide to stay in their current draft position, which is the tenth pick in the draft, they will still have a quarterback option. While it's anyone's guess what happens with teams drafting before them, Elway can still draft a future signal caller to sit behind and even challenge Joe Flacco.
Drew Lock could be that guy.
Lock, the 6’-3” quarterback from Missouri is a player who might be cut from the mold of a John Elway.
The Tigers QB completed 61% of his passes in 2018 while compiling 3,498 and 28 touchdowns. In 2017, he set an SEC single-season record with 43 touchdown passes.
Lock is a player who can make all the passes. That said, overthrows and improving his accuracy is something he’ll need to work on in 2019. His big arm can reach the home run type of receiver, meaning getting the ball down the field won’t be an issue.
Byron Murphy-CB, Washington
If the Denver Broncos decide to look for help on defense, then Byron Murphy from the University of Washington may be a good pick when they make their first-round selection.
Murphy, a 5-foot-11 DB also weighing in at 182 lbs, was part of a better defensive secondary in an otherwise unimpressive Pac-12 Conference. He also has the dubious distinction of scoring the only touchdown of the conference championship game, a 66-yard interception return against the Utah Utes. For Murphy, it would cap a campaign where he’d record 58 tackles and four interceptions in 2018.
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