A draft-eligible quarterback has caught the Broncos eye

The Denver Broncos aren’t in the quarterback market anymore – or are they? They have superstar Russell Wilson as their starter, they added veteran journeyman Josh Johnson as his backup and they still have Brett Rypien as at least a camp arm in 2022.

So, why are they now hosting a private workout for University of Miami quarterback D’Eriq King? A report came out over the weekend from NFL Insider Aaron Wilson that King was going to get a private workout from the Broncos.

He was a player who stood out to me at the East-West Shrine Bowl practices earlier this year, but he showed some flaws to his game that must be fixed at the pro level – if he stays at the quarterback position. It was at that All-Star game where King was able to work out for scouts at wide receiver, and he looked good for being so raw at the position.

Liked King at the @ShrineBowl practices earlier this year. Any team interested in King knows he has work to do as a passer. Can contribute as a runner/receiver/return man immediately b/c his foot frequency, strength, quickness (and his spin move) #Broncos @1043TheFan https://t.co/xLJ0MQaLwk

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) April 5, 2022

So, are the Broncos looking at King as a quarterback or a wide receiver? Let’s take a look.

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Developmental Passer

King is supremely athletic, but he’s a work-in-progress as a passer. He’s a shorter prospect at quarterback, measuring in at 5-foot-9 – but that makes him a perfect guy to draft and develop behind Wilson (who measures in around 5-foot-11). Like Wilson, King is a scrambler who can make big plays with his legs – keeping his eyes downfield while extending a play. Unlike Wilson, King is not a polished passer when it comes to pass-placement and decision making.

The physical side of King’s game, athletic-rocket arm, are easy to see. His big arm means no pass is out of his capabilities. King’s arm is so strong that he doesn’t even need his feet properly set to flick a pass down the field 50-plus yards. This is a good trait to have, but King needs to learn how to throw with better touch and timing.
Since he’s short, King must maneuver in the pocket to find a passing lane. That wasn’t always the case with the Hurricanes, as the offensive line got him in trouble early and often. This means King would abandon the pass play quickly because he knew he had to run for his life – and he could hurt a defense with his legs. In the pros, King needs to show better patience before taking off to run.

D'Eriq King is letting it fly 🎯 pic.twitter.com/fIxEXQtI0L

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 27, 2020

The tools are there for him to be a pro passer, but King is going to need time to fully develop his skill set. That means the Broncos could select him as a Day 3 pick then try to stash him on the practice squad where he could learn behind Wilson.

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Really a Receiver?

While King played quarterback in college, his best fit in the NFL might be at wide receiver. The Shrine Bowl knew scouts wanted to see him at receiver, and that’s why he split reps between the positions. I watched King closely as he made this transition, and he didn’t look out of place for a player making this move. Yes, he’s not a great route-runner but he’s got the balance, strength and foot frequency to be able to sharpen that part of his game.

King is dangerous with the ball in his hands. That means short passes could be the key to get the most out of him as a receiver. With his size, a wide receiver screen could work brilliantly if timed correctly. King could get the easy pass, hide behind his blockers, and then use his quickness and footwork to eat up yards quickly.

In addition to short passes, King has speed to take the top off the defense if asked to do so. His hands need improvement – again, he’s just learning the position – but his speed could get him some open looks down the field.

D'Eriq King's running some routes to wrap up Miami's pro day. pic.twitter.com/VrHMmMkfb5

— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) March 30, 2022

Add up what he did at the Shrine Bowl and what he did at his pro day as a receiver, and you can see why multiple teams are interested in King. He could be a gadget player and special teamer for a team like the New England Patriots while he continues to work on his passing skill.

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Return Man Needed

When the Broncos did not tender restricted free agent Diontae Spencer, it signaled they were looking for an upgrade in the return specialist department. Spencer was just “okay” as a return man and finding a better option – and a younger return man – should be a priority for this team.

King is a dangerous runner because he has multiple moves to create separation or run through arm tackles. When I think of King as a runner, I think of his wicked spin move that he would break off on unsuspecting defenders when scrambling as a quarterback. King has great balance, so he can break ankles in the open field, and he doesn’t lose much speed when he makes a cut. Built low to the ground, King can be tough to bring down for defenders who try to tackle him too high.

D'Eriq King with the ball in his hands pic.twitter.com/5202Ptucyr

— Fed Scivittaro (@MeshPointScout) September 14, 2019

That spin move is wicked, and just imagine what King could do with that move – and the rest of his bag of tricks – as a return man on special teams. I could see King as a Pro Bowl player one day in the NFL just based off what he could be in the return game.

So, are the Broncos looking at King as a quarterback or wide receiver? The answer is; both – and also as a special teams player. King is the type of player who won’t fit every system, but smart and creative minds (Nathaniel Hackett) could turn the Hurricanes playmaker into a pro playmaker.

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