NFL Rumors: 5 quarterback targets for Denver Broncos

With Osweiler going to the Texans, might the Broncos be willing to pry away from Houston their former starting quarterback in Brian Hoyer? Hoyer spent last season mostly as the starter for the AFC South Champion Texans. He’s played in an offense similar to what Kubiak wants to run while with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 under then offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Hoyer won’t put up huge offensive numbers, but he does thrive under center in late game situations. He is more than capable of winning low-scoring games on a defensive-minded football team. In essence, Hoyer is an ideal fit for the Broncos should they wish to win in the same fashion as they did in 2015 by leaning on their defense.

Though Hoyer is probably better than both Manning was in 2015 and what Osweiler will likely ever be, he does have a very finite ceiling as a quarterback and has lingering issues with concussions. He suffered two while with Houston in 2015 and looked out of sorts in the Texans’ embarrassing shutout home loss to the Chiefs in the 2015 Wild Card Round.

Signing Hoyer to become the next starter for the Broncos would allow Denver to tread water while they look for a long-term replacement in the next few NFL Drafts. Denver can certainly win at a high level with Hoyer under center, but is he good enough to ensure that the Broncos would win the AFC West over Kansas City or even Oakland in 2016?

Hoyer has a high floor as an NFL starting quarterback, but his particularly low-ceiling may make Denver cautious about bringing him into the fold. He’s a great system fit for Kubiak, but the concussions may make Denver uneasy about signing him to anything longer than a one-year deal.

Next: 3. Colin Kaepernick