Brock Osweiler was not drafted to be a backup quarterback in Denver. He was signed to be the Broncos' next starter.
Take a good look at the future, Broncos Fans. Brock Osweiler is a 6'7" junior out of Arizona State who, at 21, is in no rush to take the reigns. The press is reporting that Osweiler told John Elway that he would happily back up Manning for the duration of his 4-year rookie contract.
It's probably no accident that Manning's contract is also for four years. My guess is that the Broncos were intending to draft an understudy with the hopes that, once Peyton decides to retire, a seasoned young replacement could emerge. If all goes according to plan, Osweiler will be that replacement.
Most of the draft experts I follow deplored Elway's decision to draft him where he did. The feeling among many, best summed up by Sigmund Bloom, is that the Broncos' "window" with Manning is too narrow for the team to be drafting developmental QB's. 104.3 the Fan's Alfred Williams was reportedly so upset by the pick that he walked off microphone in the middle of his draft coverage show.
Still, there seems to be plenty to like about the kid.
He's big - he's handsome - and he's saying all the right things:
"I really hit it off with John Elway.", he told the Denver Post. Makes sense considering he hung out with John's son, Jack at ASU.
"I'm just absolutely, completely excited to be a Denver Bronco," Osweiler told reporters at Dove Valley via a teleconference. "I can't wait to get to work and do everything I can to help the organization."
Regarding learning under Manning, Osweiler said: "I can't be any more excited to learn from Peyton. Some quarterbacks may be disappointed in that, but I can learn from one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game."
Osweiler only started one season in College, his junior year. He threw for over 4,000 yards.
Was he the right pick? Only time will tell. And, with a little luck, we won't know for four or five years.
