Forget quarterback, some believe the Denver Broncos should select EDGE Laiatu Latu in the first round.

OK, how can Broncos Country really forget quarterback? Especially with Russell Wilson being cut in one week from today?

Quarterback is the most important position in football, after all. And the Broncos starter in 2024 is looking like Jarrett Stidham, currently.

But even with the uncertainty at QB, some believe the Broncos will go after an EDGE and not a quarterback.

Pro Football Focus has Broncos selecting Laiatu Latu from UCLA

In their post-Combine mock draft, PFF has quarterbacks Caleb Willliams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels all going 1-2-3. In that scenario, the “second tier” QBs are all that’s left when Denver’s on the clock at No. 12. Those guys include J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix.

Still, some may argue McCarthy is should be included in that top tier, and he’ll be gone at 11 at the latest to the Minnesota Vikings. This particular PFF mock draft has him slipping all the way to No. 30, though.

At 12, instead of McCarthy, the Broncos go with Laiatu Latu, the tremendous edge rusher out of UCLA. Gordon McGinness wrote:

I can see the case for this being a quarterback, but I just don’t love any of the remaining prospects enough to pass on one of the few remaining elite talents in this draft.

Medicals will be key for Latu, but he racked up 62 total pressures — including 26 combined sacks and hits — from 304 pass-rushing snaps last season.

In this mock, Jared Verse goes No. 7, and he’s another EDGE the Broncos likely have an eye on. And Dallas Turner goes No. 14. Many analysts have Turner, Verse, and Latu as the top three pass rushers in this year’s class, and in that order.

But what about Latu?

He was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year this year, and racked up 13.0 sacks, which was fourth-most in FBS. Latu also had 21.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles last year. It seems clear he’s no one-trick pony and he’s considered the best pass rusher in the draft.

He enjoyed a 90 production score at the NFL Combine, which was No. 1 among edge rushers, and an 83 overall score (4th). That included a 4.64 40-yard dash, 32″ vertical jump, and 1.62 10-yard split.

The review for Latu by Lance Zierlein is glowing, comparing him to T.J. Watt.

Latu possesses the kind of rare maturity to his game that you usually see from NFL veterans. He rarely stays blocked by tackles as a run defender and dominates blocking tight ends on the collegiate level….Everything about Latu’s skill set and production is translatable to the NFL, and he could become a Pro Bowler as a 3-4 outside linebacker with a heavy influence on the game.

He also received a strong 9.19 RAS, specifically excelling with his speed:

Going back to 2021, Broncos GM George Paton has seemingly loved players with a high RAS score. That draft, 5-of-10 players had an RAS of 9 or better, with Javonte Williams just short at 8.79.

Comparatively, Turner scored a 9.49 RAS and Verse came in at an elite 9.53.

Broncos should have a shot at two of top 3 EDGE in NFL Draft

The bad news is, the elite quarterback prospects will be gone at 12.

The good news is, the Broncos can still use that pick to nab a key player.

Denver could go QB, EDGE, offensive tackle, cornerback, or even tight end.

If they stick with an edge rusher, they should have a chance to choose between two of the three best prospects in Turner, Verse, and Latu.

In fact, Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock draft had the Broncos taking Verse. Verse was an All-American last year and enjoyed back-to-back 9-sack seasons at Florida State.

Meanwhile, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo! have Dallas Turner from Alabama going to the Broncos. Turner is 6’4″ and 240 pounds and was named a First-Team All-American in 2023 and used his explosiveness off the ball to total 10 sacks last year.

The last three times the Broncos took an EDGE in the first round they took Bradley Chubb (5, 2018), Shane Ray (23, 2015) and Von Miller (2, 2011).