16. Denver Broncos reload the quarterback depth chart
After Peyton Manning retired, the Denver Broncos had every intention of turning their Super Bowl-winning team over to Brock Osweiler. That didn’t happen though, as their 2012 second-round pick was frustrated by being benched for an aged Manning after playing well in 2015 and ended up leaving to join the Houston Texans.
He wound up being a flop, but the Broncos still needed a new starter of their own. Looking for that player, they moved up in the 2016 NFL Draft for Paxton Lynch out of Memphis. He also wound up struggling and couldn’t unseat former seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian.
While Siemian was better than Lynch, he wasn’t the answer. So again in 2018, the Broncos went looking for their starter and signed Case Keenum, who had a solid campaign the prior year with the Minnesota Vikings. That didn’t work out either, as Keenum was 6-10 as a starter and has since been traded to the Washington Redskins.
Frustrated by the lack of production at the position, general manager John Elway went out and revamped the entire quarterback room. Their first move was to land Joe Flacco, who had lost his job with the Baltimore Ravens to Lamar Jackson a season ago.
Elway landed the strong-armed Flacco for a mere fourth-round pick. Sure, he struggled last season but he’s a Super Bowl winner that understands how to move the ball downfield.
Flacco won’t be alone either, as Denver added Drew Lock with the 42nd overall pick. The Missouri Tigers gunslinger fell down some draft boards thanks to an up and down senior season, but he still has starting potential. Lock lands in a great situation where he can hone his skills behind a solid veteran in Flacco.