The final choice of the day in the 12th annual SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft is the Denver Broncos at No. 5 overall. Making the choice for Denver is Scotty Payne of Mile High Report.
2018 NFL mock draft: Is Baker Mayfield or Josh Allen a better fit for the Broncos?
With the fifth pick in the draft, Denver is going to have some tough choices to make to find their QB.
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The Broncos are in an interesting position at fifth overall. At least two quarterbacks will be gone by the time the Broncos are on the clock. The last quarterback Denver took in the first round, Paxton Lynch in 2016, was also the third signal caller picked. On the flip side, last year’s third quarterback taken was Deshaun Watson. Is Denver locked into a true 50/50 proposition?
5. Denver Broncos: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Payne: This was an easy choice.
The Broncos have shown great interest in Baker Mayfield from the get-go. They requested to coach him at the Senior Bowl, the entire Broncos front office and offensive coaching staff spent the first day off free agency at his Pro Day and they will also have a pre-draft visit/workout with him. The interest is obvious.
Former head coach and now front office member Gary Kubiak is a big reason why Keenum is in Denver and will be a big reason why Mayfield ends up in Denver. General Manager John Elway added him to his inner circle for a reason, and this is it.
The Broncos did sign Case Keenum but it was only to a two-year deal. This leaves the Broncos without a long-term answer at the quarterback position. Former first-round pick Paxton Lynch appears to be a bust, and Chad Kelly shouldn’t stop the Broncos from addressing the quarterback position.
Mayfield would serve as the perfect backup for Case Keenum in the short-term, but it shouldn’t take long for him to pass him on the depth chart.
Analysis: The debate here will be between Mayfield and Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. Mayfield is the better player, and the smarter choice. Will Elway agree? That’s what this pick is going to come down to in a couple weeks. Elway has tended to target bigger quarterbacks, so that would obviously point toward Allen. But maybe sanity will prevail. We’ll soon find out.
Dan Kadar’s top five players remaining
- 2. Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
- 3. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
- 4. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
- 7. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
- 9. Vita Vea, DT, Washington
That closes out our three picks for the day in the 12th annual SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft. Coming up tomorrow at 9 a.m. ET is the appropriately named Brett Mock of Stampede Blue making the choice for the Indianapolis Colts.
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