"A workout is scheduled with Washington quarterback Jake Locker. The Broncos already have checked out the pro day workouts of Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Mallett. What in the name of Tim Tebow, a quarterback drafted in the first round last year, are the Broncos doing checking out all these projected first-round passers this year? "We're going to check out all the players on our board," Broncos general manager Brian Xanders said. "That's just how you have to do it." I begin by submitting there is no way the Broncos will take a quarterback with their No. 2 overall draft pick. No way in Tebow. There's some chance - not a great chance, but some - they take one of those quarterbacks if they should slip to one of their two picks in the second round. In 2008, the Green Bay Packers were ready to turn their team over to Aaron Rodgers, who had yet to get his chance, yet they selected quarterbacks Brian Brohm in the second round and Matt Flynn in the seventh. And things turned out pretty well for Rodgers and the Pack. Still, I think the Broncos are checking out the top quarterbacks in this draft for three reasons: One, they would love to trade back from that No. 2 pick, especially if a new rookie salary cap has not yet been formalized. Quarterback is perhaps the only position that would motivate another team to trade up to the No. 2 overall selection. Two, in the latest swap of NFL labor proposals, rookies who were not selected in the first round can become restricted free agents, with less compensation restrictions, after three seasons. If, say, a Mallett becomes an RFA three years from now, now is the best time for the Broncos to do a full evaluation, equipped with personal interviews, of those players. Three, the Broncos do have two picks in the second round. The Broncos will take a defensive player in the first round, whether that pick is at No. 2 or further back in the top 10. They likely will take another defensive player, maybe two, or maybe a tight end or right tackle in the second round." Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_17654662
