Editor’s note: First of a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Today: quarterback.
Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Released Russell Wilson, incurring $85 million in dead salary cap charges ($53 million in 2024).
Under contract: Jarrett Stidham (one year), Ben DiNucci (one year)
Need scale (1-10): 10. This just in: The Broncos need a quarterback. Their search has been the dominant storyline of the offseason so far. They’ve sat out free agency entirely while coach Sean Payton talks a big game about finding the right player at the position for Denver long-term. At the spring ownership meetings, he said about the position, “I would rather the angst be now than September and October.”
Top Five
1. Caleb Williams, USC: An outside-the-pocket magician who can also play boring. Williams, 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, threw 93 TDs (and rushed for 27) against just 14 career INTs between Oklahoma and USC. The 22-year-old is a virtual certainty to go No. 1 overall to Chicago.
2. Jayden Daniels, LSU: Everybody else on the list is a Broncos possibility, beginning with Daniels, 23. He may be an explosive runner, but make no mistake: Daniels is a pocket passer. Didn’t throw more than 17 TDs in his first four collegiate seasons but then went for 40 and four INTs en route to the Heisman Trophy in 2023.
3. Drake Maye, North Carolina: At 6-4 and 225 pounds, Maye is built like Justin Herbert and has that kind of arm talent. The 21-year-old had ups and downs during his junior year but finished with 62 TDs against 16 INTs in his two years starting. Might need more development time than the first two.
4. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan: The youngest in this class, McCarthy led Michigan to a 28-1 mark and a national title in his two years starting. He’s not overwhelming physically but can hold up at 6-3 and 210. Had 44 TD passes and nine INTs over the past two years playing for now-Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
5. Michael Penix Jr., Washington: Comes with more risk than the next options on the list but also more upside, given the dynamite arm and solid athleticism. Injuries are a concern (two shoulder injuries, two knee injuries) for the soon-to-be-24-year-old, but he played 28 games the past two years at UW and threw for 9,544 yards and 67 touchdowns in that span.
Other Broncos options
The Broncos have eight picks total but no second-rounder. Their first selection is No. 12, then No. 76 in the third round and six Day 3 selections. A look at options spanning Round 1 to the back of the draft.
1. Bo Nix, Oregon: Nix and Penix could be the top options on the board at No. 12 if Denver stays put. Nix completed an eye-popping 77.4% of his attempts in 2023 and nearly 75% over two years at Oregon. He’s also older than multiyear pros like Seattle QB Sam Howell and Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II.
2. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina: The former top high school recruit has all the arm talent you can want and confidence to go with it. He found his way after transferring from Oklahoma to South Carolina and completed 68.9% in 2023. Denver’s strategy at No. 12 could be influenced by how its decision-makers view the gap, if there is one, between Nix/Penix and Rattler.
3. Jordan Travis, Florida State: If Denver waits to take a QB, Travis could become an option. He was putting together a terrific run at FSU before a gruesome leg injury. As far as low-risk upside plays go, you could do a whole lot worse than the 6-1, 220-pounder who threw for 5,970 yards and 44 TDs against seven INTs in his final 24 college games.
4. Michael Pratt, Tulane: A four-year starter in Sean Payton’s former backyard, Pratt walks and talks and looks like a Payton quarterback. He’s big, tough and smart. His completion percentage got better each year, and he threw 90 career touchdowns.
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5. Kedon Slovis, BYU: Slovis played at USC, Pitt and then one year for the Cougars. Threw 30 touchdowns as a freshman for the Trojans, then bounced around. Completed just 57.5% of his passes last fall, but at 6-3 and 210 could be enough of a ball of clay that an NFL team decides to take a shot.
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