Driskel fulfills GM Elway’s desires as veteran backup
Question: Nothing has been said about Brandon Allen. He should have been the backup. He never had a fair shot with that pathetic offensive line.
Dan Trujillo, Denver
Q: Was Jeff Driskel really worth the money over re-signing Brandon Allen? Allen looked like he was a capable backup in his few starts last year.
Collin, Fort Collins
O’Halloran: Allen was not tendered last week, so he’s an unrestricted free agent. At the combine, John Elway said he preferred a veteran backup to work alongside Drew Lock. The Broncos then acquired Driskel, who has only eight career starts (1-7 record); Allen was 1-2 as the starter last year. Driskel’s contract is affordable (two years, $5 million) so it’s not like Elway splurged. This comes down to which quarterback new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur prefers. If he felt Allen was a solid choice to be Lock’s No. 2, chances are Allen would have been tendered a contract. I give Allen credit — he had never played an NFL regular-season snap before helping the Broncos beat Cleveland.
Q: Is the 15th pick guaranteed to be a wide receiver?
@MuhoroNyagah
Q: What will it take for the Broncos to pass on a wide receiver at No. 15?
Mack
The Broncos added a cornerback (A.J. Bouye), defensive tackle (Jurrell Casey), right guard (Graham Glasgow), running back ( Melvin Gordon), backup tight end (Nick Vannett) and backup quarterback (Driskel) last week. If that doesn’t scream, “Receiver in the first two rounds!” nothing will. That said, the Broncos staying put at No. 15 is not guaranteed, but let’s say they do. Receiver makes a ton of sense because there will be good ones available and it will fill an immediate need. What will it take for the Broncos to pass on a receiver? They feel a cornerback to play opposite Bouye (allowing Bryce Callahan to focus on the nickel spot) is a larger priority in the first round because good receivers will be on the board in round 2. The same thing if they feel an offensive tackle is the best course.
Q: What would it take for us to move up in position to draft Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons? We have had a problem covering the tight end for what seems like forever, and coupled with the fact that coach Vic Fangio likes to put six defensive backs on the field, it seems like a match made in heaven.
Chris Wells, Livermore, Calif.
Simmons is my favorite player to watch in this draft, because he’s so versatile and so productive. He would give a defensive play-caller like Fangio all kinds of options in terms of personnel to use and where to line Simmons up. But … it will take a ton of draft capital to move up from No. 15. Two years ago, Arizona was in the 15th slot and traded up to No. 10 for quarterback Josh Rosen. To move up five spots, the Cardinals gave up Nos. 15, 79 (third round) and 152 (fifth round). I don’t expect Simmons to get past Carolina with the seventh pick, so the Broncos will need to sweeten the pot big-time to convince the Panthers to a) move down and b) be fine passing on Simmons. To move up eight spots, it may take the Broncos’ first- and second-round picks and one of their three third-round selections.