Franklin: Broncos bringing in QB Haskins for visit not a smokescreen
Mar 21, 2019, 2:08 PM | Updated: Mar 22, 2019, 8:13 am
On Wednesday, “The Drive” co-host DMac said he believes the Denver Broncos inviting in quarterback prospects Dwayne Haskins and Drew Lock in for visits ahead of the NFL Draft is all a “smokescreen” by the club — a move that he “loves.”
However, 104.3 The Fan’s Orlando Franklin, filling in on “Stokley and Zach” on Thursday, said in the case of at least one of the quarterbacks — Haskins — the visit could be one of genuine interest on the Broncos behalf.
“I know that for certain for Dwayne Haskins,” Franklin said.
After observing Lock and fellow quarterback prospect Daniel Jones at the Senior Bowl in January, Franklin said the Broncos likely decided neither was an option under center and, ultimately, decided on trading for veteran gunslinger Joe Flacco.
But at the time, Franklin said, Haskins wasn’t necessarily an option, as he’d been linked to the New York Giants from the get-go.
“He never got a look. When they go to the Combine, the Broncos don’t talk to him because they’re saying hey, he’s going to be gone,” Franklin said. “The Giants are going to take him. He’s going to be Eli Manning’s successor.”
But as it appeared in recent weeks that Haskins to the Giants wasn’t necessarily a done deal, the Broncos likely wanted to at least check out the quarterback, Franklin said.
“Let’s properly vet this guy and see if he can be the face of our franchise moving forward because there’s a great possibility of him being there at No. 10 this year,” Franklin said.
DMac said on Wednesday that “there is no way that they’re going to draft Dwayne Haskins or Drew Lock, even if they’re there (at No. 10)” but that he liked the move to bring them in for visits to “generate some interest.”
“You get 30 visits. I mean, it’s not going to kill you to throw up this little smokescreen,” DMac said. “I think it’s a good idea.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
