Broncos Rumors: QB Targets After Sam Darnold Trade

Another quarterback domino fell on Monday with the Carolina Panthers trading for New York Jets QB Sam Darnold.

The quarterback market is shrinking after multiple trades and free agency movement this offseason. However, there's still options for the Denver Broncos as they look to bring in competition for Drew Lock.

With that in mind, here are three targets Denver should now turn its attention on.

3. Justin Fields

The Broncos could trade up for Justin Fields. / Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

There continues to be noise surrounding the Broncos being possible candidates to trade up for a quarterback. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson will be the top two picks, but the San Francisco 49ers remain a mystery on who they're targeting at No. 3. If San Francisco passes on Justin Fields, Denver should seriously consider a deal with the Atlanta Falcons for the No. 4 pick. Fields wowed observers at his Pro Day and isn't likely to last long in April's draft. He threw for 63 TDs and 5,373 yards in two seasons at Ohio State while rushing for 867 yards and 15 scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability makes him an exciting potential franchise QB. It might cost a bounty to trade up, and Atlanta may want Fields for themselves, but if the stars align, Denver needs to go get Fields.

2. Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy Bridgewater could be a trade target for the Denver Broncos. / Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The Darnold trade will likely mean Teddy Bridgewater is moving on from Carolina, giving the Broncos a possible target. He carries a $22 million cap hit in 2021 but would only cost $5 million in dead cap if cut next year, so that gives Denver a year to see if he's able to prove himself as a starter. Bridgewater's 4-11 record with the Panthers wasn't great last season, but he posted career highs in yards (3,733), TDs (15) and completion percentage (69.1%). It's clear that Denver needs to shake up its quarterback situation, whether to get in new blood or to push Lock to step up. Bringing in a capable veteran starter on possibly a short-term trial is a solid option for the Broncos if they can't land their man in the draft.

1. Kyle Trask

The Broncos could spend a second-round pick on Florida's Kyle Trask. / Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Florida QB Kyle Trask is a potential fallback plan for Denver if they go a different route with their first-round pick. Trask hit another level after a solid sophomore year in 2019, placing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting this season. He racked up 4,283 yards and 43 TDs with just 8 INTs for the top-ranked Gators. It's very possible that four quarterbacks will make up the top-four picks, leaving the last choice for Denver at No. 9 if they don't trade up. Instead of settling, they can use that top pick to address their needs on defense at linebacker or cornerback, then take a shot on one of the next-tier QBs like Trask, Kellen Mond and Davis Mills with pick No. 40. Seeing what a proven starter and Heisman candidate in Trask has to offer could pay off for Denver on Day 2 of the draft.

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Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.