Niner Noise
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NFL Draft: 5 teams in clear need of a quarterback in 2019

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Josh Allen of Wyoming after he was picked #7 overall by the Buffalo Bills during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Josh Allen of Wyoming after he was picked #7 overall by the Buffalo Bills during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 14: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos walks on the field after a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Rams defeated the Broncos 23-20. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 14: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos walks on the field after a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Rams defeated the Broncos 23-20. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Denver Broncos

Current Starter: Case Keenum

There are more than a few other quarterback-hungry teams selecting outside the top 10, and the Denver Broncos could easily be placed into that category.

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Two reasons for this. First, the Broncos’ current starter, Case Keenum, hasn’t carried over the same kind of magic that made him a star with the Minnesota Vikings back in 2017. His passer rating on the season is a mere 83.4, which has played heavily into Denver’s 4-6 record this season.

Second, Keenum is playing on only a two-year deal. And while $10 million in dead money isn’t exactly smart spending if cut this offseason, now would be the time for Broncos general manager John Lynch to find the heir apparent, thereby letting him develop under Keenum for at least the 2019 season.

The 49ers and Broncos do have a trade rapport. Elway’s history with John Lynch has its merits, so a move to benefit both teams isn’t out of the question.

There are two key X-factors in this, though. First, Elway would have to admit Keenum isn’t the long-term answer and would have to overwhelmingly want a top quarterbacking prospect, such as Justin Herbert or Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins. Missouri’s Drew Lock is another name to watch.

On top of that, the Broncos (currently slated to pick 12th overall) would have to be fearful the name on Elway’s radar would come nowhere close to falling to them.