If the Denver Broncos intend to take a quarterback with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, their options when that pick rolls around may be slimmer after a trade made Saturday morning.
The New York Jets gave up a bounty of picks to the Indianapolis Colts to jump from the No. 6 spot to the No. 3 spot, signaling that they are all-in on targeting a top QB.
According to NFL.com, The Jets are sending their sixth, 37th and 49th overall selections in this year’s draft and their second-rounder in 2019 to Indianapolis.
Only the Browns and Giants are now above the Jets; both teams are likely going after a quarterback at Nos. 1 and 2 respectively. The Browns also have the No. 4 pick ahead of Denver.
In the quarterback-rich draft, Denver may now be left with whoever is left standing at No. 5 between Josh Allen (Wyoming), Sam Darnold (USC), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) and Josh Rosen (UCLA). Lesser-projected QBs like Lamar Jackson (Louisville) and Luke Falk (Washington State) could also be available.
However, Broncos GM John Elway has recently hinted that he may go a different direction with the pick.
Denver this week signed veteran quarterback Case Keenum to a two-year contract. On Friday, as the team introduced Keenum, Elway suggested that signing Keenum expanded the team’s options at the No. 5 pick.
“We have a lot of opportunities at five now. We’re in good spots. We’re high in a lot of rounds,” Elway said.
The Broncos still have needs on the offensive line, at tight end, cornerback and wide receiver.
Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson is regarded as the top offensive lineman, and Elway was noticeably coy on Friday when asked about the prospect of selecting a guard with the team’s top pick.
While most of the draft conversation surrounding the Broncos has been about their taking a quarterback at No. 5, this move might push them more towards someone like Nelson.
If the Broncos did have their eye on a specific quarterback in the draft, he may not be available when that fifth pick rolls around.