The Denver Broncos are looking more and more like they will have a new quarterback starting under center next season. Russel Wilson has been linked to multiple teams now and it would be surprising if head coach Sean Payton and Russ can work together. Now there numerous reports coming out that Payton has been keeping a very close eye on Michigan’s National Champion J.J. McCarthy.
Denver Broncos Sean Payton Has Been Keeping His Close Eye On JJ
Numerous sources, including Paul Allen, have reported that people close to Payton have said he absolutely loves the Wolverines QB. No one should rule out the Broncos selecting the quarterback with the 12th overall pick. Ever since winning the national title, McCarthy’s stock has been going up and up.
There’s just a little bit of steam that’s beginning to emerge locally that Sean Payton loves J.J. McCarthy. He’s a quarterback from a pro-style offense with a strong arm. I’m not gonna say he reminds him of Drew Brees — McCarthy moves more than Drew and he’s taller and he’s not as accurate. … So just keep that in mind… You have a desperate [coach] who basically will beg, borrow and steal to get exactly what he wants from this draft from a quarterback standpoint. A pretty reliable individual over the weekend informed me that Payton is quite enamored with J.J. McCarthy.
The team seems to clearly be moving on from Russel Wilson after they decided to bench him at the end of the year. They can either look for a new QB in free agency or the draft. If they were to look in the draft, JJ would be the perfect guy available at their 12 pick.
Denver Is J.J. McCarthy’s Perfect Landing Spot
McCarthy’s best option would be Denver as they have a great team all around and Sean Payton at head coach. To go from Jim Harbaugh in college to Sean Payton in the NFL would be the best a quarterback could ever ask for. McCarthy’s stock has continued to go up and perhaps the team may need to trade up to get him.
If they stay at 12 they still should have a great chance at getting him, but in the modern NFL quarterbacks are most important. There should be four or maybe five quarterbacks that will go in the top 15 picks and Denver is sitting at 12. If Denver manages to get McCarthy in the first round he will probably end up starting week 1.
Related: Russel Wilson Is On The Move In The AFC