Finding Broncos: Top QBs and Top RB who Might be Opponents in 2023

The Denver Broncos have their starting quarterback and won't be in a position to land one of the top guys in the draft. They also won't be able to land the top running back in the class. However, it is always worth the time to do the due diligence if something happens.

Bryce Young | QB | Alabama

Pros

He checks all of the intangibles boxes and is said to have an elite score on the NFL Processing exam.
His ability to read and diagnose plays as they develop is no question.
He protects the ball, with 12 career interceptions and only 25 turnover-worthy plays, though part of that was the scheme.
He has the legs to make plays but doesn't look to run unless necessary.
He takes command when plays break down and directs traffic well to get an open guy.
He can speed up his mechanics and get the ball out when pressure is coming.
There are good eyes to bait defenders and create space for receivers.

Cons

There are questions about his build and ability to hold up in the NFL.
His play weight is said to be closer to 190 pounds than the 204 he weighed in at the combine.
There isn't room on his frame for sustained additional mass.
His placement when attacking the boundary isn't ideal and could create additional squeeze along the sideline.
He has a good arm, but deep shots see the nose dip.
His time to get rid of the ball was over three seconds, which is too long for the NFL.
There are ball security issues when working in the pocket.
There are teams he has the open field and doesn't take it, leading to missed opportunities.

Fit with Broncos

Young won't be there for the Broncos and is projected to be the first overall pick. If he plays for a 2023 opponent, the Broncos will have their hands cut out to defend him. He is hard to confuse, and pressure doesn't rattle him.

C.J. Stroud | QB | Ohio State

Pros

He has good size for the NFL.
His accuracy and placement is consistently on point.
His mechanics are refined, and he uses them to add more force to his throws.
He does well in getting through progressions and finding the best matchup or open receiver.
He shows more willingness to use his legs as part of his arsenal over the final few games.
He does well maneuvering the pocket and resetting for the throw when pressure comes.
His arm is more than good enough for the NFL, and he can make all of the NFL throws.
He is praised for his character and coachability.

Cons

While he showed he could use his legs, he doesn't use them often and should find a better balance.
Sometimes he locks in on his read pre-snap and can take a little longer to get off it.
He has a good frame but can use a bit more mass.
He had the best wide receiver in college football, who may have bailed him out often.
There is a question about his comfort with adapting when the play starts to break down.
The ball security isn't great, with 10 fumbles in the pocket.

Fit with Broncos

Stroud is projected to go early in the draft, and the Las Vegas Raiders are a team to watch. However, if Stroud ends up with an opponent, the Broncos might be able to confuse him, and they'll want to get pressure to rattle him.

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Anthony Richardson | QB | Florida

Pros

His build and athleticism are elite.
He is a twitchy athlete who can take punishment and deliver it when working as a runner.
He has the arm to make every NFL throw and sling it deep easily.
When attacking deep, he does well using touch to drop it in the bucket.
There is excellent speed to break off long runs.
He can be a nightmare to defend against with his athleticism and arm strength.
When he is clean with his mechanics, his accuracy is good.
He has excellent awareness in the pocket to sense pressure and avoid it.

Cons

He has one year of experience where he completed 53% of his passes.
Inconsistencies are everywhere in his game, leading to issues when throwing the ball, especially his accuracy.
His footwork is a mess.
He doesn't do well when reading plays as they develop and can endanger the ball.
There is no touch to his throws, which is harmful on underneath throws.
He must improve his ball security and learn that sometimes taking a sack is the best result.
He still has to learn how to look off defenders.

Fit with Broncos

Richardson is full of potential, but he still has a lot of work to develop as a player. He is dangerous as a runner, but the quarterback aspect is still far behind. If he ends up with an opponent, there is a chance he isn't starting. However, if he does end up as a starter, keeping him in the pocket and forcing him to be a quarterback is the best way to defend him.

Will Levis | QB | Kentucky

Pros

He has excellent size for the NFL.
His size and bulk can help with the beating in the NFL.
The experience of working from under center is there.
He can make throws when off his platform or from an awkward base.
He has a good balance between using his legs and athleticism to make plays and his arm.
He has the arm for the NFL to make all the throws in the NFL.
He throws well on the run and does well with his placement.
He can play his way through the rushers and power through sacks when the pressure gets to him.

Cons

His instincts as a passer are lackluster, and he can miss the correct read.
There is a concern about the drop in production after a change in his weapons after the 2021 season.
He has two years of experience under his belt, and it shows he is still raw.
The reads aren't there consistently when breaking down coverages.
Many of his passes were easy at or behind the line of scrimmage.
He speeds things up when he has to come off his first read, and the mechanics falter.

Fit with Broncos

Levis is projected to go in the top 10 and could find himself on an opponent. He shouldn't be a starter as a rookie, but if he is, disguised coverages and applying pressure to rattle him would be the way to defend him.

Bijan Robinson | RB | Texas

Pros

He checks all the boxes with athleticism and his build.
He is a unique breed of running back, with ideal speed, power, and vision to his game.
He keeps a low center of gravity when running, making it harder to bring him down.
While he only has 60 catches over three seasons, he flashes the potential to be a threat.
He bounces off defenders and keeps his legs churning through contract.
His feet are light and quick for added elusiveness.
When the run is coming to an end, he will finish by punishing defenders.
He can chain moves together to avoid defenders.
He accelerates in an instant and has the speed to go deep.

Cons

There is a slight concern with ball security, falling short of the ideal fumble rate when carrying the ball with six fumbles.
There are times he can be a little too patient with his running.
His work in pass protection is lackadaisical, and he can be late to react.
When he makes a decision with his run, he needs to go and not take that extra second.
His hands as a receiver are not ideal, with four drops in his career.

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos would be in a tough spot trying to defend him. He can make defenses pay with his speed or power. It is cliche, but the best way to defend him is to score points and force pass to be the focus of the offense, not Robinson.

If one of these guys did fall far enough for the Broncos to draft, it would be the football surprise of the year. However, it is still worth looking at them because it gives insight in case the Broncos have to go against one of them.

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