2012 NFL Draft: Why Denver Broncos Should Draft Chandler Harnish

If the Denver Broncos want to continue the John Fox-Tim Tebow-Mike McCoy offensive scheme (and I believe they do), it stands to reason the team will need some help at the quarterback position. Perhaps the Broncos will sign a veteran as a security blanket and even a mentor to Tebow, likened to the role Mark Brunell played with the Jets this past season. However, that's not the Broncos' best option.

Their best option is Chandler Harnish out of Northern Illinois.

Harnish plays to almost the exact cadence and style that Tebow plays. He's an aggressive rusher and a brave—and sometimes ill-advised—passer. Yet he does have a powerful arm and a better throwing motion then Tebow. If the Broncos want to lock their scheme in through at least one backup, Harnish would be a perfect fit behind the Tebow train.

He could even be used in the option attack or a Wildcat formation where Denver would field two quarterbacks who could both run and throw the football. If executed, this would be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses.

Harnish rushed for more than 1,300 yards and threw for 3,000-plus yards last season, proving he can do more than just throw at the quarterback position. At 220 pounds he's even built like Tebow and could probably handle his fair share of carrying linebackers down the field.

The chance of Harnish actually being drafted by Denver, though possible, is relatively unlikely. However, drafting a quarterback similar to Tebow rather than someone who is a better pocket passer would show that John Elway and the Denver coaching staff have faith in themselves and in their own offense. Rather than pull the rug out from under Tebow, support him and give him someone who can back him up rather than be silently irritated with his unorthodox style of play.

In other words, please don't draft or sign another Kyle Orton.

If nothing else, the Broncos have a chance to point out to the country that they actually believe in the product they are selling, and that they aren't sitting around struggling with deep brooding self-hatred for what they've done to the Broncos scheme.

There's nothing wrong with the Denver offense any more then there's anything wrong with 80% of the conventional passing attacks in the league that come up very short every year. With that in view, I see nothing wrong with investing in the "new-look" Denver Broncos by drafting Harnish.

Besides, real men love the option offense.

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