The 2019 NFL Draft is less than three months away, with the combine right around the corner. Draft buzz is starting to heat up, and one team in a particularly interesting situation is the Broncos. Denver has the tenth overall pick, and has been looking for a new franchise quarterback ever since Peyton Manning retired. While the team has Case Keenum under contract for one more year, it seems like there’s a very good chance the Broncos take a quarterback early yet again.
Adding fuel to that fire, Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post hears that Broncos GM John Elway is “smitten” with Missouri signal caller Drew Lock, and that Elway’s infatuation with the quarterback was “the worst-kept secret at the Senior Bowl.” Lock seems like a real possibility to go to the Broncos at ten, and could be the first quarterback taken if Dwayne Haskins slips a little bit. If the Broncos do draft a quarterback, they could get out of Keenum’s contract relatively easily, or choose to keep him on for one year as a bridge quarterback/mentor.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- The Texans made a front office move today, bringing in former Jets executive Clay Hampton to be their new director of football operations, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). McClain notes that Hampton was in the Jets’ front office for 17 years, working his way up from being a ball boy to become their director of football operations. McClain also writes that Hampton will report directly to GM Brian Gaine who worked for the Jets at the same time as Hampton.
- Adam Vinatieri officially signed on for a 24th season a few days ago, and now we have the details on his new contract with the Colts. Vinatieri signed a one-year $3.875MM deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Vinatieri turned 46 in December but showed no signs of slowing down this season, even though he did miss two kicks in Indianapolis’ divisional round playoff loss to the Chiefs.
- Speaking of the Colts, the team made a couple of new additions to Frank Reich’s staff today. They hired Jason Michael as their tight ends coach and Chris Strausser as their offensive line coach, the team announced in a tweet. The Colts’ offensive line had an amazing turn around in 2018, but they fired Dave DeGuglielmo after the season so Reich could bring in one of his own guys, and he apparently settled on Strausser, who was with the Broncos last season. Strausser reportedly was also drawing interest from the Browns.
If Elway is smitten with Lock, he needs to take the other route and draft another player, his ability to choose a QB leaves something to be desired.
He’s due to get one right…
Worked for the Browns eventually
If he falls I don’t see how Denver could pass up on Greedy Williams best DB in the class. Lock is gonna be there late first/early-mid second just don’t be the team to reach to get him.
I think it all depends on New England if he makes it past first round. NE needs a qb to be ready for the after-Brady life. I’ve seen them linked to the Duke Qb as well.
Lock at 10 would be pretty high
His agent will probably instruct him to wait until at least 11:30 before getting high.
11:31: Larry Tunsil arrives
It’s Laremy Tunsil; geez, if you’re gonna crack a joke, try not to fumble.
A guy spends 17 years with the Jets working his way up from ball boy to director and they don’t even build a statue for him? That is just so wrong!
If Greedy fell to 10 I’d think it would be a no brainer. Then if they’re that strong on Lock try to trade up out of the 2nd round to beat out NE.
You said that already