I know some in the media are already suggesting that Denver will use the two 1st rounders to trade up into the top 5 to get Sanchez, but if they really wanted him then I'm sure the Lions would've gladly given them the #1 overall for Jay Cutler. So that theory is out the window IMO. I think they hope Raji slips now with the positive drug test otherwise it could be Maualuga. Then at #18 they could be looking at Ayers/Jackson til fill that DE spot. I think Josh is confident that he can win with just about any QB under his system.
Unless Denver is convinced that Mark Sanchez is the 2nd coming, it doesn't make sense for them to trade 12 and 18 to move up and get him. Kansas City would probably jump at that offer (it's around 2100 points vs. 2200 for the #3 pick), but if Denver really wanted to do that then way have both Orton and Griese around? Josh Freeman and 18 might be an option, but Freeman seems more in the Cutler mold than the type of QB McDaniels prefers.
For an interesting read by Nolan Nawrocki on how the Cutler trade may shake up the QB situation in the draft see:
NFL Draft - NFL draft preview and analysis from Pro Football Weekly
Some comments of interest:
- "Now that Detroit is officially out of the Cutler sweepstakes, it is expected that the Lions will begin opening up negotiations on a contract for Georgia’s Matthew Stafford, the most physically gifted passer in this year’s draft and easily the most comparable to the highly coveted Cutler, who was clearly viewed by some teams as less of the problem than a brash, 32-year-old head coach who believes his system is greater than any talent. "
- "With the Bears now out of the QB derby and the first round, the hot spots for the QB position have become even clearer, as both Cleveland and Washington now have to be considered potential landing spots for passers in the first round. With more than three weeks to continue maneuvering, it is still possible that Jason Campbell and Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson could wind up in other cities prior to the draft. The Browns, at No. 5, now can be expected to take an even closer look at Sanchez, as well as the Redskins at No. 13, should a quarterback still be available. With a decision needing to be made on the long-term prospects of Campbell in Washington, and the Redskins clearly not giving him a vote of confidence with their strong trade attempts, it also opens up the possibility for the Redskins to become a player to trade up in this draft to secure a passer."
I don't agree with all of his thoughts, but it's an interesting read.
The big winnners from the Cutler trade in my view could be Josh Freeman and a team like Green Bay or Buffalo at 9 or 11. I think there is a good chance that Stafford goes #1 and Mark Sanchez goes #4 to Seattle, leaving Freeman as the only remaining QB considered worthy of a 1st round pick. With Denver at #12/18, Washington at #13, the Jet at #17 and Tampa Bay at #19, there are a lot of teams who may be interested in his services. The big, strong-armed Freeman seems a natural fit for Washington or the Jets. Whoever wants him may need to trade up ahead of Washington at #13, possibly as high as Green Bay at #9. That would be a huge reach for Freeman IMHO, but desperate teams have been known to reach for a QB before, usually with disastrous results.
