Look at the Denver Broncos' depth chart right now and you will see an underwhelming combination of Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci at the most important position of the game. Undoubtedly, the team will need to add more options to the quarterback room.
There are still open pathways to do so, like Ryan Tannehill in free agency or using the 12th overall pick in the draft. Theoretically, any of these alternatives would allow the Broncos to have a new starter on day 1.
However, head coach Sean Payton loves versatility at the quarterback position. Why wouldn't he be interested in a day 3 flier on former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton?
Skill set
Milton is obviously a raw passer. After all, he had only one season as a full-time starter in college. In 2023, he had 12 games, with 2,769 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also added 292 yards and six touchdowns running the football.
The talent is undeniable, with what probably is the strongest arm in the entire quarterback class. At the same time, timing and accuracy are issues.
"Milton is gifted with a cannon for a right arm and can throw the ball as hard or as far as you want. His fastballs are often inaccurate and difficult to catch for moving targets, and he was wildly inconsistent locating his deep throws," wrote NFL Network's draft analyst Lance Zierlein. "He can elude pressure, extend plays and put jaw-dropping highlights on tape, but he's never been able to mature his game from splashy to consistent. He's primarily a single-side reader who struggles to improvise with his eyes."
How Payton can use him
Throughout the last half decade, Broncos head coach Sean Payton hasn't shied away from utilizing quarterbacks in unusual ways to maximize their talents. The obvious example is Taysom Hill, whom the New Orleans Saints claim on waivers from the Green Bay Packers as a rookie and transformed into a Swiss-army knife type.
With the Saints, Hill played at quarterback, running back, fullback, tight end, wide receiver, kick returner, special teamer.
When Payton left New Orleans and Taysom Hill's expensive deal, the coach half-jokingly said he would be willing to acquire Hill when he found another team.
"If you're uncomfortable with that $10 million salary, let me know in a year or two and I'll take it off your hands," Payton mentioned.
During the current draft process, several analysts mention that Joe Milton will try to be a quarterback in the NFL, but if he fails that, a transition to tight end is an obvious path. And there's no better space in the league for both attempts than to play under Payton.
Comparisons
Joe Milton's arm is much stronger than Taysom Hill's. The better comparison for that ability is Jameis Winston, who started half a season for Payton's Saints before injuring his knee. And under the head coach, the former first overall pick had the best and most solid stretch of his NFL career, with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games.
After Sean Payton left the Saints, Winston came down to Earth, losing his job to Andy Dalton even before the team decided to sign Derek Carr in free agency last offseason.
The main point here is that Sean Payton created a favorable environment for a player with a strong arm and several problems reading defenses. Winston is likely more talented than Milton, which led him to be a first overall pick in 2015, but the premise and the styles make the comparison fair.
In Denver, without great options to replace Russell Wilson and without a healthy cap situation, putting a late-round quarterback in place would have the potential to generate significant surplus value.
And if it doesn't work out that well, Sean Payton would still have the option to create special packages for a versatile offensive weapon with an impressive athletic profile.
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