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Denver Broncos: John Elway open to drafting quarterback at No. 5

By Maxwell Ogden

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 04: Denver Broncos GM John Elway before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 4, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 04: Denver Broncos GM John Elway before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 4, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos are in possession of the No. 5 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. John Elway isn’t opposed to drafting a quarterback.

The Denver Broncos are in possession of a 2018 NFL Draft pick that will go a long way towards determining the tone of the event. Currently in possession of the No. 5 overall selection, Denver should have an opportunity to select a legitimate franchise cornerstone.

While the Broncos may have signed Case Keenum to a lucrative two-year deal, general manager John Elway hasn’t ruled out the possibility of drafting a quarterback at No. 5.

Denver has made it abundantly clear that the intent at No. 5 overall is to acquire a genuine impact player. It’s certainly an ambitious goal, but at No. 5 overall, swinging for All-Pro potential is what the Broncos are expected to do.

In a recent interview with Adam Schefter of ESPN, Elway stated that the Broncos’ intentions are wide open when it comes to whether or not a quarterback is an option.

Per Jeff Legwold of ESPN:

"“That’ll be wide open,” Elway said. ” … I’m betting we won’t know what direction we’re going to go until probably the day of [the first round] or the day before.”“It’s going to change from time to time; we’ll look at all the different scenarios,” Elway said. ” … We’ll have to do that when we set our board, set the quarterback position, in order, where we would have them and go through the scenarios.”"

This far from guarantees that the Broncos will sign Keenum, but it’s clear that the organization won’t blatantly ignore a potential opportunity to select a franchise quarterback.

Keenum is coming off of a sensational season with the Minnesota Vikings. He threw for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions in 15 games played, compiling the second-best QBR in the NFL.

Keenum signed with the Broncos for an average of $18 million per season, but the fact that he inked a two-year deal is telling.

Denver is paying him a hefty sum of money to lead a postseason-caliber roster, but it’s also mindful of the need for a long-term answer.

It’s possible that Keenum will justify the contract and earn a new deal with the Broncos in 2020. If Elway believes that there’s a true franchise quarterback to be found at No. 5, however, it would be understandable for him to make such an investment.

The four quarterbacks whom Denver is expected to decide between are Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Rosen, but not all will be on the board at No. 5.

Must Read: An intriguing report about Hayden Hurst

The question is: Will it be a quarterback whom the Denver Broncos ultimately select at No. 5 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft?

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