ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- You're behind Peyton Manning, who is entrenched, and Brock Osweiler, who has already been designated as Manning's eventual successor. This could be perceived as a hopeless situation.
Zac Dysert, the Broncos' seventh-round pick (No. 234 overall), doesn't see it that way.
"I don't think there could be any better spot, especially to learn under, besides (with) Peyton," said Dysert. "He's always been somebody I've looked up to, just because of the way he has always played and the way he prepares and things like that. So, I'm ecstatic at this opportunity. I wouldn't rather be any other place."
Given how a quarterback's market value can appreciate off limited game action, there's some wisdom in selecting at least one quarterback in most draft years, whether there's a need or not. A solid preseason of work can turn a seventh-round pick into a prospect that can fetch as high as a third-rounder; a solid start or two in the regular season can push that value as high as a first-round pick in some instances.
But the Broncos didn't select Dysert for that reason; they added him because they needed at least one more quarterback in the here and now. Manning and Osweiler were the only passers on the roster, and the Broncos carried four into training camp last year.
Like fifth-round pick Quanterus Smith, Dysert is coming off an injury. Unlike Smith, Dysert's injury -- a torn hamstring -- has healed, and Dysert proclaimed himself "100 percent." That's helpful to his cause, since the upcoming rookie camp in two weeks will represent Dysert's first, best chance for extensive work before Manning and Osweiler take the lion's share of the snaps.
After that, much of Dysert's learning will come in the meeting rooms, because the Broncos need to give Osweiler enough snaps to foster his development. Over time, Dysert can push Osweiler, or offer a backup plan. For now, he'll learn, and be on a similar long-term plan to the Broncos' other day-three picks, whose best chance to contribute might not be for at least a year or two.
