The Denver Broncos are a tough call to predict at quarterback, given they haven't chosen a starter yet. Coach Gary Kubiak has said he's in no rush and the top two -- Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian -- didn't really separate from each other in what has been a dead heat for much of the offseason.
However, with an elite defense and a pumped-up run game, either of the top two figures to do more than they are projected to.
Mark Sanchez
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 1,406.6 yards, 7.4 TDs, 8.1 interceptions.
Over or under: The Broncos haven’t yet decided who will be the starting quarterback, but if Sanchez wins the job, take the over from these projections. He fits the Broncos’ offense and coach Gary Kubiak’s ability to extract quality play from quarterbacks, even those who have struggled elsewhere, has long been undervalued. In the Broncos' preseason opener, Sanchez threw for 99 yards and a touchdown to go with an interception in just a quarter’s worth of work. Sanchez has the mobility and accuracy on the run that Kubiak seeks from a starter. The Broncos also have tried to work on the mistakes that Sanchez has made in the past as a starter, the ones that come when he can't quickly deliver the ball.
Trevor Siemian
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 195.4 yards, 1.1 TDs, 1.4 interceptions.
Over or under: Ditto here. No, Kubiak hasn’t made the call on the quarterback, but if it’s Siemian, he would likely power past these projections in the season opener. Siemian has a top-tier arm and the demeanor Kubiak likes behind center. He has been aggressive with the ball in recent training camp practices and can make throws to all parts of the field. With top-tier receivers, he would be a big-play quarterback.
Who else could see time: If the Broncos had a serious run on injuries or if neither Sanchez nor Siemian move the offense the way Kubiak wants, then rookie Paxton Lynch could lose the proverbial redshirt year. The Broncos like Lynch’s progress and love his potential, but they would like to give him the time he needs to develop.
