INDIANAPOLIS — The New England Patriots drafted quarterback Mac Jones 15th overall last April, named him the starter after the training camp and leaned on the NFL’s second-ranked scoring defense and eighth-ranked running game to support Jones during a 10-7 season.
Can the Broncos be this year’s Patriots and Kenny Pickett this year’s Jones? Can new coach Nathaniel Hackett draw up game plans to equal parts support Pickett and accentuate his strengths? Would Pickett, if selected ninth overall by the Broncos, be ready to start in Week 1?
If he isn’t able to trade for Aaron Rodgers and isn’t enamored with the free-agent options, general manager George Paton should make the bold move to take Pickett, who played at Pittsburgh and support him with a Javonte Williams-led running game and needs-to-be-improved defense.