Broncos to coach Allen, Mayfield

The Broncos need a quarterback, and next week they will get a good look at two candidates who could be their guy for 2018.

The initial rosters for the Senior Bowl were announced Thursday and the North team, coached by the Broncos, will include Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma and Wyoming standout Josh Allen.

The Broncos requested to coach Mayfield in the Senior Bowl, and last month a Broncos contingent of general manager John Elway and director of player personnel Matt Russell stood on the sidelines at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise to watch Allen throw three touchdown passes in his final college game.

Allen and Mayfield are projected to be first-round draft picks, possibly within the top-five selections.

The Broncos own the No. 5 pick in the draft and, depending on their plan in free agency, could select one of the highly touted quarterbacks in this year’s class to take over as their starter for the short term and/or long term.

“Obviously it’s not ideal, but I would say this: I did it. It was tough,” Elway said recently of starting as a rookie quarterback.

The Broncos arrive in Mobile, Ala., on Monday and will have three practices with the North team next week, in addition to multiple team and position meetings to gain a close look at players on the field and off. The North team will square off Jan. 27 against the South, coached by the Houston Texans, for a final football showcase before focus shifts to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in late February.

Free agency and the trading period begin March 14, and Denver could be a big player as it rebuilds after two playoff-less seasons. What the Broncos see — or don’t see — in Alabama could sway their decisions.