Evans: The biggest bust in Broncos history and other observations
Sep 3, 2018, 8:15 PM | Updated: 8:16 pm
» Paxton Lynch goes down as the biggest bust in Denver Broncos draft history.
This isn’t even debatable.
Lynch was picked to be the quarterback of the future. The torch was to be handed from Peyton Manning to Paxton.
John Elway wanted him. He traded up for him. The Broncos wanted him to succeed.
He didn’t. He’s the biggest bust ever.
» Let’s not make Lynch the victim here.
I’ve heard all the excuses: “You needed to just throw him in there,” and “You needed to build an offense around him.” That’s just a bunch of crap.
The Broncos wanted him to be “The Guy.” All he had to do was put in the work, show commitment, pick up the basics, and prove he was worthy of being “The Guy.” But he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, do it.
He couldn’t beat out Trevor Siemian … twice. He couldn’t even beat out Chad Kelly to be the backup.
This wasn’t some agenda the Broncos had to make sure Lynch failed. At some point, Lynch needs to be held accountable. It’s not the Broncos responsibility to just give out jobs. Denver was coming off a freaking Super Bowl for goodness sake.
As an organization, you have to stand for something. You have to make sure jobs are earned. Otherwise, you’re on the fast track to becoming the Cleveland Browns.
» For the last couple of years, I’ve said the Broncos biggest problem hasn’t been coaching, its been a huge talent drain.
The talent decline has been a direct result of empty drafts conducted by general manager John Elway.
Exhibit A is the 2017 draft. Carlos Henderson, Brendan Langley, Isaiah McKenzie, and De’Angelo Henderson were all cut, and no other NFL team felt the need to claim them.
De’Angelo Henderson was signed to the New York Jets practice squad and Langley and Carlos Henderson returned to the Broncos practice squad while McKenzie got brought back to the 53-man roster.
But the damage has been done.
» Criticizing Elway around these parts leads many Broncos fans to blast me for my so-called “negativity” (As if it’s my job to waive pompoms and root, root, root for the home team).
Elway has been a very good GM, and it’s possible he’s set to stage a drafting comeback with this most recent class. But the fact remains that he is currently working on a streak of five straight empty, non-impact drafts.
The draft is not an exact science, and some very well respected executives have had slumps before.
But let’s be honest, Elway has been slumping. Badly.
» The key to the Broncos going 7-9 versus 9-7 or even 10-6?
The kids will have to be alright.
I believe the Broncos have brought in some good, young talent. But is that talent ready to blossom this year?
Denver needs to have a New Orleans Saints-type impact from this rookie class. We are talking about three to four rookies making a significant impact.
We are talking about Bradley Chubb as defensive rookie of the year and Courtland Sutton and Royce Freeman making the all-rookie team.
If Denver makes that happen, this season could be a lot of fun.
