The Broncos have the No. 10 pick in the upcoming NFL draft and they might be in the market for a quarterback in that slot.
But judging from president of football operations/general manager John Elway's comments at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray would not be a good fit.
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Despite Murray's eye-popping skill set, there are some concerns about his height, measured at 5 feet 9 7/8 inches tall by Oklahoma staffers last fall. That's a bit short of the NFL's traditional quarterback template. Elway, who played 16 seasons at quarterback at 6-3, said Wednesday he thinks Murray's height might make him a bad fit for the Broncos, who plan to play their QB more often under center next season.
"The one year he played at Oklahoma was great there and shows he’s a great athlete," Elway said (via DenverBroncos.com). "Obviously, the size is always the question, but we’ve seen guys that have had success in the league that are not necessarily the prototypes as far as when it comes to height. He’s got the ability to be a great player.
"The height from shotgun doesn’t matter nearly as much as it does if you’re coming out from underneath center all the time because by the time you get back there the pocket a lot of times is caving on you. That’s where height does matter a little bit more. But if you’re playing in shotgun every down like a lot of these guys, then the height, to me, does not have nearly the impact that it normally would if you’re coming out from underneath."
Elway said he wants the team to play the quarterback under center more often to help the running game. As the team's website noted, three of the teams in the conference championship games, the Rams, Patriots and Saints, were among the top four in the NFL in snaps under center. The Broncos ranked seventh.
Given Elway's comments, it would seem the 6-6 Joe Flacco is more his style of quarterback. The Broncos have agreed to acquire the veteran via trade with the Ravens when the league year begins in March.
Murray's height will be officially measured at the combine.