KUSA – As the start of the 2018 NFL Draft crawls to within 24 hours or so, the Denver Broncos seem to have two preferences.
One is to take a great player, whether he be a quarterback or non-quarterback, with their No. 5 draft pick.
Two, is to trade back with Buffalo in hopes of harvesting a few selections from the Bills’ mother lode of high-round draft picks.
Not necessarily in that order. The Bills not only have the No. 12 and 22 overall picks in the first round, they also have the No. 53 and 56 selections in the second round and No. 65 and 96 slots in the third round.
Hey, Buffalo. If your coveted quarterback is still available by the time the No. 5 pick is on the clock, give John Elway a call. And start the conversation with your best impersonation of Lawrence Welk:
A one and a two and a three.
But if Buffalo is too stingy with its offer, Elway will be content to stay at No. 5 and take a quality player.
If the Broncos do stay at No. 5, their pick will come from one of the following six players. And yes, a quarterback is still very much in play for the Broncos at No. 5:
Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame
Several executives and agents who talk to executives believe this will be Elway’s pick if he stays at No. 5. The feeling is, Elway must nail it and Nelson is considered the safest pick in the draft.
The Elway we know, however, has never been afraid. Even if Elway hasn’t drafted a Pro Bowl player since Malik Jackson in 2012, I’d be surprised if goes guard at No. 5.
Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC
I don’t think Elway will go quarterback in the first round. But I keep hearing Darnold is Elway’s No. 1 choice among the Big Four quarterbacks. If Darnold is there, Elway would have a difficult time passing. (Hear that, Buffalo?)
Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State
Again, few believe Chubb will be around by the No. 5 pick. He may not fit the Broncos’ 3-4 defensive system, but he is considered the No. 1 defensive player in the draft. So change the system!
Josh Allen, Quarterback, Wyoming
He is a smart young man of fine character, and may be the most physically talented quarterback prospect since Elway thought about playing baseball.
With Allen needing time to develop his footwork and accuracy, sitting a year or so behind Case Keenum would make some sense.
Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State
Only if there’s a run of quarterbacks with the first three picks – and Chubb is the first non-QB off the board – would Barkley be available at No. 5.
The only reason why Barkley would fall a couple more spots than expected is there supposedly will be several good running backs available in the second and third rounds.
Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Oklahoma
I’d be surprised if Elway takes him. But not shocked. There is no question the Broncos like Mayfield as they arranged to put the Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma on their Senior Bowl North team, interviewed him at the NFL Combine, attended his Pro Day workout, and brought him to UCHealth Training Center for a pre-draft visit.
Like him? No doubt. But after getting to know him so well, do they love him?
Trade back candidates: Raquon Smith, linebacker, Georgia; Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker, Virginia Tech; Denzel Ward, cornerback, Ohio State; D.J. Clark, receiver, LSU.