Evans: Broncos QB Situation 2.0 — still not interested in Kirk Cousins
Feb 20, 2018, 6:50 PM | Updated: 7:47 pm
Since all the hotshot draft experts come out with updated mock drafts (2.0, 3.0 etc.), I figured I’d submit my Broncos QB situation 2.0.
Some things have changed since my opening column on what I wanted to see the Broncos do this offseason. Some have not.
But one thing hasn’t changed: I’m still not interested in pursuing Kirk Cousins.
Now that the Jimmy Garoppolo contract has likely jumped the asking price for Cousins into the $30 million vicinity, I don’t see the wisdom in spending that kind of money, especially if it means gutting this football team — including this defense.
Look, let’s stop with this myth the Broncos still have a championship caliber defense in which to entice Cousins.
If Denver cuts both Aqib Talib and Derek Wolfe, reportedly a possibility, to create cap space, do you realize how many players would be gone from the 2015 Super Bowl championship defense?
Roll call please: DeMarcus Ware, Talib, Wolfe, T.J. Ward, Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan, Sylvester Williams, David Bruton, Kayvon Webster, and oh, by the way, the chief architect of that defense — Wade Phillips.
That’s a major talent drain, and there’s no way the few holdovers from that defense and a host of unproven newcomers are anywhere near that elite level.
It just doesn’t make sense to pour that kind of money into a quarterback with a career losing record and only one playoff game to his name with a team that needs as many holes filled as the Broncos.
And I haven’t even gotten to the offense yet.
So no Cousins for me.
As for the rest of the veteran free agent quarterback class, put me down for one giant meh.
Case Keenum? Likely a one-trick pony who you’d overpay. A.J. McCarron? Probably not much better than another Trevor Siemian, who you’d overpay.
I’d love to trade for Nick Foles, but if the Philadelphia Eagles are even hinting at a Bill Polian asking price (two No. 1s and two No. 2s), then that becomes a non-starter.
So where does that leave us? The draft.
After the success of Peyton Manning, I was on board for going after the next veteran mercenary quarterback-for-hire. I saw a team close to winning, and a veteran under center could put Denver over the top.
Not anymore.
This is a team that needs a major talent infusion across the board. It needs to draft well. It needs to make several smart free agent signings. It is not one quick-fix quarterback away, especially if that quick fix costs $30 million per.
In my Broncos QB Situation 1.0, I called for them to select a quarterback late in the first round/early in the second. I still like that scenario.
As I said then, I’ll say again here: I know it won’t be the popular pick. But consider the 2012 NFL Draft. The first four quarterbacks taken — Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, and Brandon Weeden — didn’t throw a pass this season.
The fifth was Brock Osweiler (enough said), and QBs six, seven, and eighth were Russell Wilson, Foles, and — ta-da — Cousins.
I would love to see the Broncos find that guy. Maybe it’s Mason Rudolph or Luke Faulk or Kyle Lauletta. The odds are at least one of these unheralded guys will be turn out to be the real thing.
I challenge the Broncos to find that guy and use the fifth-overall pick to get a true stud football player who will make an immediate impact.
Imagine all the free agent money they would save by not wasting it on Cousins.
