The Denver Broncos still need to find their quarterback of the future. That might not happen in 2024, but Sean Payton and Co. seem interested in this year’s quarterbacks at the very least
So, which ones are they taking a closer look at as the NFL Draft approaches?
Caleb Williams, Southern California
Denver Broncos personnel confirmed in attendance:
– Sae Woon Jo, Western National Scout (per BroncosWire’s Jon Heath)
Unsurprisingly, the Broncos chose to not send a large contingent to check out USC’s Caleb Williams, as he’s a lock for the No. 1 pick. That said, USC does still have two receivers, a running back, and a safety all likely to be selected in this year’s NFL Draft, so it is semi-interesting the Broncos only sent Woon Jo, seen in the clip below, standing up and walking around in a navy shirt.
Drake Maye, North Carolina
Denver Broncos personnel confirmed in attendance:
– George Paton, General Manager (per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo)
– Darren Mougey, Assistant General Manager (per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer)
– Joe Lombardi, Offensive Coordinator (per Breer)
– Davis Webb, Quarterbacks Coach (per Garafolo)
– Pete Carmichael, Senior Offensive Assistant (per Breer)
Now this is pretty damn interesting.
For 12 months, conventional wisdom has stated that Caleb Williams is going No. 1 and Drake Maye is going No. 2, before a tier-drop at the position. Yet, there’s been growing buzz that the league isn’t as high on Maye as the public, meaning he could slip into the trade-up range of Denver.
That buzz then coincided with the Broncos sending out a sizable militia to the quarterback’s pro day, including Payton’s three most-trusted offensive lieutenants, while cameras caught Davis Webb buddying up with Drake Maye.
How could you not be excited?
Maybe you could argue that this is a smoke screen, but this is a huge Broncos contingent, and North Carolina’s draft class isn’t that much more talented than USC’s to warrant it, especially considering the inclusion of the quarterback coach and exclusion of defensive coaches.
Plus, what’s the purpose of pretending to be interested in a prospect that seems so far out of your reach anyways? Prompt the Vikings to trade up for him? They’re probably looking to trade up for a quarterback anyways, and it’s hard to see how them trading up benefits Denver. Plus, the front office doesn’t exactly have time to burn now, T-minus one month from the NFL Draft.
Jayden Daniels, Louisiana State
Denver Broncos personnel confirmed in attendance:
– Davis Webb, Quarterbacks Coach (per the Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy)
– Keary Colbert, Wide Receivers Coach (per Nagy)
– Jamar Cain, Defensive Line Coach (per Nagy)
Jayden Daniels falls into the same bucket as Maye, where it seems fairly impossible the Broncos could acquire him, but there’s still a glimmer of hope. Flying Davis Webb out for the pro day, only to fly Daniels back out to Denver for a private visit raises eyebrows, but the fact Webb was the only member of the party at LSU with a focus on quarterbacks also feels telling.
Jamar Cain was part of LSU’s coaching staff before joining the Denver Broncos, while Keary Colbert also recently coached in the SEC. Considering the Tigers’ tremendous talent along the defensive line and at wide receiver, it’s easy to see why Cain and Colbert were there, and it likely had very little to do with the quarterback.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Denver Broncos personnel confirmed in attendance:
– George Paton, General Manager (per BroncosWire’s Jon Heath)
– Zach Strief, Offensive Line Coach (per Heath)
It’s somewhat surprising the Broncos didn’t send more people to take a look at McCarthy, especially considering how closely tied they’ve been to him, but, considering a heavy-hitter like Paton attended and they immediately met with him for a several-hour-long private visit soon after, they’re still plenty interested.
Strief’s inclusion is also interesting, as the Wolverines have a number of appealing late-round developmental offensive line targets.
Bo Nix, Oregon
Denver Broncos personnel confirmed in attendance:
– Sae Woon Jo, Western National Scout (per 9News’ Mike Klis)
– Dave Bratten, West Area Scout (per Klis)
Although the Denver Broncos didn’t send out someone as high-ranking as George Paton or Darren Mougey to this pro day, they did send out two different personnel members responsible for grading the quarterback position. Of the top-five quarterback prospects, only Drake Maye shares that honor.
Michael Penix Jr.
Denver Broncos personnel confirmed in attendance:
– John Morton, Pass Game Coordinator (per The Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy)
– Brian Stark, Director of College Scouting (per Nagy)
– Two unnamed scouts (per Nagy)
Michael Penix Jr. wowed scouts at his pro day with a shocking 4.46 40-yard dash, though it still seems he’ll be more of a third-round quarterback option. Considering the top talent the Huskies have at wide receiver and along the offensive line, it’s hard to put too much stock in the Broncos’ attendance at the event, but it at least demonstrates some level of interest.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Denver Broncos personnel confirmed in attendance:
– No scouts confirmed
Spencer Rattler is the sleeper quarterback prospect many in Broncos Country are hoping for, but if the Pro Day is any indication, Denver seems uninterested in the Gamecock QB.
Michael Pratt, Tulane
Denver Broncos personnel confirmed in attendance:
– Keary Colbert, Wide Receiver Coach
Michael Pratt received slightly more attention from the Denver Broncos than Rattler, but considering the presence of wide receiver prospect Jha’Quan Jackson, and Denver sending their receivers coach, it doesn’t appear like Pratt was the primary focus.
