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          NFL Nation

          Broncos would consider a rookie starter at QB if he was right pick

          • Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior WriterFeb 28, 2018, 07:30 PM
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              Jeff Legwold is a senior writer who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, joining ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his annual top 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended every scouting combine since 1987.
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          INDIANAPOLIS -- With a major decision looming at quarterback, Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph said Wednesday he believes there are quarterbacks in this 2018 NFL draft class who have what it takes to play as rookies.

          "That's hard to say," Joseph said at the scouting combine. "But obviously there's going to be a couple guys who have a chance to."

          Joseph said a patient approach would be preferable for many young quarterbacks, but if a rookie is the best option to start, that's a scenario the Broncos have considered.

          "If he has to be the guy, he has to be the guy," Joseph said. "If you have time to allow him to wait and watch, that's probably the best way for a young quarterback."

          The Broncos are poised for an overhaul at quarterback after last season's 5-11 finish. This year's draft is considered to be deeper than many previous years with UCLA's Josh Rosen, Wyoming's Josh Allen, Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield and USC's Sam Darnold all participating in this week's combine with the possibility of being top-10 picks.

          Even beyond that tier, teams have taken great interest in Louisville's Lamar Jackson, Washington State's Luke Falk and Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph.

          The Broncos have the No. 5 pick, but are expected to give free-agent quarterbacks a long look as well, with players such as Kirk Cousins and Case Keenum expected to be on the open market. Joseph's comments on potential rookie starters are worth noting, though.

          "If a guy shows he's ready to be the guy, the right guy, that's something you look at, even as a rookie."

          The Broncos do have three quarterbacks already under contract for next season in Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly. Joseph once again offered far less than a vote of confidence for those three quarterbacks on Wednesday.

          Asked about the their future with the team, Joseph said:

          "Right now, they're Broncos, they have contracts and they are part of our football team. Nothing's changed yet. Obviously free agency starts in two weeks, the draft is late April, so nothing's changed, right now they're our quarterbacks."

          And on the need to fix the quarterback position in general, Joseph said:

          "That's got to get fixed ... but we can also fix that by playing better around that position. But we're going to address that and that's obviously in free agency or in the draft."