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Denver Broncos Should Sign Free Agent QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

By Dan Schmelzer

Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) in the pocket in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) in the pocket in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Broncos are getting killed with losses in free agency this off season. They now need to address the quarterback position, and this veteran free agent option would be a perfect fit.

Losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan from their Super Bowl winning defense is going to hurt the Denver Broncos next season. That being said, the defense is still loaded with talent throughout and should continue to get by as an elite overall unit. While the defense should be fine with the free agent losses, the Broncos’ offense might be in trouble.

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Already a relatively shaky unit, the Broncos have now lost their top two quarterbacks this off season. First, Peyton Manning stepping away from the game into retirement, and then Brock Osweiler receiving a free agent contract to lead the Houston Texans. With both Manning and Osweiler gone, the Broncos are left to scramble at the position.

I could certainly see them addressing their quarterback need in the draft, but if they want to take full advantage of their elite defensive unit, the Broncos would be wise to attack the position in free agency. They cannot afford to bring along a quarterback slowly, the Broncos are set up to win right now.

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) tries to knock down a pass by New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) tries to knock down a pass by New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

This is why free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick makes so much sense for this team. Fitzpatrick is coming off of a career year with the New York Jets where he completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 3,905 yards, 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

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Fitzpatrick has never been or never will be an elite NFL quarterback, but he is a solid veteran option under center who can manage a game with the best of them. Fitzpatrick took his game to the next level last season, throwing to an impressive duo of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker at WR. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders would give Fitzpatrick a similar talented duo to dominate with in Denver.

The Broncos’ defense has proved that they are an incredible overall unit, and the Broncos would be crazy to waste that talent while they groom a quarterback to take over. Instead of bringing in a young guy to immediately run the show, the Broncos should sign the 33-year-old veteran Fitzpatrick and draft a player in the middle rounds to learn behind him.

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Fitzpatrick is not going to come in and set the world on fire, but the Broncos were able to win a Super Bowl with ugly play from Peyton Manning at the quarterback position. With most of their key players returning, they would be legitimate threats to do it again with Fitzpatrick, who was a much better quarterback than Manning last season.

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