Lammey: Quarterback in the first round still an option for Broncos

With the Denver Broncos trade for Baltimore Ravens quarterback unofficial until the start of the new league year on March 13, the move has created this unusual gray area for the club and the media attending the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.

By league rule, the teams cannot comment on the move until it becomes official. So, when head coach Vic Fangio and general manager John Elway talked to the media on Tuesday, questions about Flacco could not be answered.

However, questions about this year’s quarterback class could be — and were — asked to Elway.

This quarterback class is not graded as highly as those from 2018, and it’s not as highly thought of as the class that should be available in the 2020 NFL Draft. But the Broncos have the No. 10 overall pick, and they still have a need to find a young quarterback of the future.

When asked if people were writing off this quarterback class too quickly, Elway said:

“We’re still in the process of studying them. We’ll keep looking at them. I think that there are a lot of people excited about next year’s class. But we’re going to spend the time on this year’s class and see where we come out on that. I think there are some good players in this draft too.”

There is buzz building at the Combine that Elway may not be done adding talent at the quarterback position this offseason, even possibly acquiring one in the first round this year.

All options are on the table for the Broncos at No. 10, even though they added Flacco and the 2019 class isn’t as highly regarded as upcoming classes.

This information may be out there for two reasons. First, the Broncos are trying to get a quarterback-needy team behind them in the draft (Miami Dolphins or Washington Redskins, for example) to move up via a trade.

Second, the Broncos might actually be interested.

I believe it’s fair to grade this quarterback class lower than the 2020 or 2021 prospective classes. However, I do believe it’s unfair to say the Broncos won’t take a quarterback in the first round.

If anything, Elway has been full of surprises as the Broncos general manager, and more surprises may be in store in the near future.

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