Tim Tebow Won't Face Competition from 1st-Round NFL Draft Pick in 2012

The Denver Broncos haven't committed to Tim Tebow as their long-term solution at quarterback.

Heck, according to reports, they haven't even committed to him as the quarterback to get them through their Wild Card showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers, let alone another season.

Even after turning a 1-4, going-nowhere-fast team into an 8-8 division winner, the Broncos—more importantly executive vice president of football operations John Elway and coach John Fox—have not put their full confidence in the second-year signal-caller yet.

But as things stand, Tebow won't be facing competition from a first-round draft pick this offseason.

Respected beat writer Mike Klis of the Denver Post claims the Broncos won't be drafting a quarterback in the 2012 first round:

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There are now only two legit first-round quarterbacks—Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Indianapolis has to take Luck with the No. 1 overall pick. RG3 probably won't get past Cleveland at No. 4—which is why Mike Shanahan's Washington Redskins will be looking to move up from No. 6.

All the other quarterbacks available in the upcoming draft would be considered reaches at No. 21.

With the No. 21 pick, the Broncos would take a cornerback. Or maybe a defensive tackle, a running back or a linebacker. They won't take a quarterback.

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The top remaining quarterbacks on the board will be Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill, Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, Arizona's Nick Foles or Arkansas' Tyler Wilson (if he declares). Other than Weeden, all three quarterbacks are going to need time to develop, and they won't unseat Tebow even if they were drafted. 

Tebow may be unconventional, but he did lead this team to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

Even if the Broncos flame out at home today against the Steelers, this season has been quite impressive considering everything that happened in the first month-and-a-half.

If there is any competition to be had in Denver, it will likely come from in-house against Brady Quinn. The more conventional signal-caller has plenty of support in the Broncos organization and could even see the field today.

Tebow doesn't have the luxury of relaxing, but at least he shouldn't have to deal with the hype and pressure of battling a first-round pick this summer.

As small of a consolation as it is, at least he's got that going in his favor for once.