Surveying field for next best young quarterback

The NFL draft begins Thursday, and the Broncos are in the market for a young quarterback to develop under free-agent signee Case Keenum. Denver, which currently holds the No. 5 overall pick, has eight selections total in the first five rounds. Staff writer Gina Mizell takes a look at the top prospects available: Sam Darnold Height/ weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds School: USC 2017 stats: 63.1 completion percentage, 4,143 yards, 26 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 148.1 quarterback rating Analysis: Darnold is generally regarded as the biggest “sure thing” at quarterback in this draft, thanks to his physical tools, intelligence and poise. He burst onto the national scene as a redshirt freshman in 2016, reading the field and zipping throws into tight windows during an instantclassic Rose Bowl victory over Penn State. That made him the most-hyped player in the country entering last season, expectations he did not quite live up to. His biggest issue is taking care of the football, as he threw 13 interceptions and lost nine fumbles in 2017 and tossed 20 picks over his final 20 college games. Josh Rosen Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 225 pounds School: UCLA 2017 stats: 62.2 completion percentage, 3,756 yards, 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 147 quarterback rating Analysis: Rosen has the sharpest throwing mechanics and footwork in this draft, resulting in some pictureperfect throws. But he was banged up at times throughout his college career and is less-than-mobile. Rosen is intelligent and unafraid to speak his mind, but some have questioned his openness to coaching, his leadership and his variety of interests outside of football. Josh Allen Height/weight: 6foot-5, 237 pounds School: Wyoming 2017 stats: 56.3 completion percentage, 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions, 127.8 quarterback rating Analysis: Allen is probably the quarterback that physically most reminds John Elway of, well, himself. But Allen is also the draft’s biggest wild card. He has an ideal frame and fantastic arm strength, but there are massive concerns about his accuracy while playing against Mountain West competition. Some of those troubles are the result of poor decisionmaking, but some can be attributed to the football version of “hero ball.” Baker Mayfield Height/ weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds School: Oklahoma 2017 stats: 70.5 completion percentage, 4,627 yards, 43 touchdowns, six interceptions, 198.9 quarterback rating Analysis: Mayfield is one of the most improbable college football success stories in recent memory, vaulting from walking on at Texas Tech to becoming a Heisman winner. Mayfield was one of college football’s most recognizable players because of his fiery demeanor to complement his gaudy stats. He is accurate on short, intermediate and deep routes and can scramble out of trouble, though sometimes he defaulted to throwing off his back foot when pressure arrived. His size and playing in a spread scheme will be knocks against him. Some teams could view his demeanor as too cocky to be the face of a franchise. Lamar Jackson Height/ weight: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds School: Louisville 2017 stats: 59.1 completion percentage, 3,660 yards, 27 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 146.6 quarterback rating Analysis: The 2016 Heisman winner is an electric dual-threat playmaker, drawing comparisons to a young Michael Vick. But the team that drafts him would likely need to mold their offensive scheme around Jackson, allowing him to unleash that dangerous athleticism. His small build is a concern, as is his lack of accuracy compared to other prospects. Mason Rudolph Height/ weight: 6-foot-5, 235 pounds School: Oklahoma State 2017 stats: 65 completion percentage, 4,904 yards, 37 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 170.6 quarterback rating Analysis: Rudolph boasts ideal size and has been praised for his intelligence and maturity. But he also draws the “system quarterback” label, as Oklahoma State’s spread offense did not require him to go through a huge bevy of progressions. Though Rudolph has terrific touch on his deep ball, he lacks zip on other throws.