Just about every NFL draft pundit seems to agree that 2022 is not a strong quarterback class.
Given that the Denver Broncos passed on QBs in last year’s draft — including Justin Fields and Mac Jones — it would be surprising if general manager George Paton used the ninth overall pick on a QB in this year’s underwhelming class.
“We’ll sit down with all of them, watch them compete with other really good quarterbacks,” Paton said at the NFL combine on Tuesday. “This class is an interesting class. You have five or six talented guys, and they’re all different.
“So we just really need to hone down and sort it out and stack them, and see who’s best for the Denver Broncos if we go that direction in the draft.”
Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder and Sam Howell are the top five QBs this year, according to Draft Wire. Paton scouted four of those QBs — Willis, Pickett, Corral and Howell — in person last fall.
The Broncos might draft a QB in April, but it seems unlikely that Paton will target the position at No. 9, based on last year’s evidence. In addition to the five QBs listed above, Carson Strong is also mentioned among this year’s top prospects, and he’s been a popular second-round pick for Denver in mock drafts.
The NFL draft will be held in Las Vegas from April 28-30.
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