The world champions weren’t exactly in a hurry to find their new quarterback. They may have done so anyway.
The Denver Broncos, who had searched hard for Peyton Manning’s replacement during the off-season, traded up and took Paxton Lynch of Memphis with their first pick.
Since Manning retired after winning the Super Bowl, the Broncos have looked down several roads. They had backup Brock Osweler, who he left for a big payday from the Houston Texans. They inquired about trading for San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick, but he wouldn’t restructure his contract to make him more affordable. They talked to Philadelphia about Sam Bradford, but the price was too high.
On Thursday, it didn’t matter. Although other teams (Dallas offered a second- and a fourth-round pick), the Broncos got their man.
It still has to be determined how quickly Lynch can play.
