ENGLEWOOD – There might be a point during the Dumpster Fire Bowl on Thursday night when the question will be asked.
Should the Broncos have drafted quarterback Josh Rosen?
He was one of four marquee quarterbacks from the recent NFL Draft whom the Broncos scouted, evaluated, visited with, discussed and visited with some more.
The others were Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen. Mayfield was taken No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns and Darnold went No. 3 to the New York Jets.
The Broncos didn’t take Rosen or Allen at No. 5, instead opting for Bradley Chubb, who had a 3.0-sack game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Allen went No. 7 overall to Buffalo and Rosen was taken by Arizona at No. 10. Rosen was the best pure passer of the group but a thin frame and perceived personality concerns may have been reasons whey he was the last of the Big Four selected.
Just because Rosen went last in the group, though doesn't mean he will wind up the fourth-best quarterback. See the Great Quarterback Draft of 1983 when Todd Blackledge was the second QB taken after John Elway, but ahead of Jim Kelly and Dan Marino.
“I think his arm talent,’’ said Broncos head coach Vance Joseph when asked what made Rosen unique among the Big Four. “He was a guy that made every throw on tape. He makes it look easy. He’s just got a very smooth release, great footwork in the pocket. He’s got a very, very high football IQ. He’s a very mature guy. He’s ready to play.
“He was one of the guys that when you interviewed guys and watched them work out and watched the tape, he was ready for NFL football. As I watch him now on tape, he’s doing a good job. He’s making some plays with his feet, he’s making some plays with his arm and he’s putting them in the right plays. He is right where he should be as a rookie quarterback, in my opinion.”
Elway, now in his eighth season as the Broncos general manager, decided to stick with free-agent quarterback Case Keenum, who had already been signed to a two-year, $36 million contract through free agency, and used his top pick to get another pass rusher in Chubb.
It would not be a surprise, though, if the Broncos go through the thorough evaluation process of young quarterbacks again, this time for the 2019 draft. Elway and his top assistant Matt Russell recently watched the Oregon-Washington that was loaded with NFL prospects, none more so than Ducks’ quarterback Justin Herbert.
The Broncos may be 2-4 to Arizona’s 1-5 entering their game Thursday night at State Farm Stadium, but the Cardinals’ spirits are buoyed by the fact they are using this season to develop their franchise quarterback for the future. The Broncos have a young quarterback in Chad Kelly, but they are counting on Keenum to get them turned around.
Chris said it
Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr., on how he’s adjusted to all the rule changes that have been implemented since his 2011 rookie season:
“Younger in my career, I was way grabbier. You can’t do that anymore. They changed the game, so you’ve just got to play solid technique. You’ve got to try to use your feet a lot more, and that’s something that I pride myself on.”
Injury update
Right tackle Jared Veldheer (deep knee bruise), safety Dymonte Thomas (sternum bruise), cornerback Adam Jones (hamstring) and outside linebacker Shane Ray (high ankle sprain) didn’t practice again Tuesday, increasing the odds they won't play Thursday at Arizona.
Veldheer has been ably replaced by Billy Turner. Tramaine Brock filled in for Jones at corner while rookie DaeSean Hamilton handled punt return. This week veteran safety Shamarko Thomas would be a logical replacement for Dymonte Thomas and it’s possible former second-round draft pick DeMarcus Walker will be activated for the first time this season to help fill in for Ray.
The Broncos may also promote someone from their practice squad to take the roster spot of left guard Ron Leary, who will go on injured reserve with a torn Achilles.
