Player Profile: Joe Flacco

It was January 12, 2013, a date that Broncos fans remember all too well. It was the first playoff game with Peyton Manning at the helm. After an uneven beginning that saw the Broncos sitting at 2–3, the team rattled off 11 straight wins to finish 13–3, the top seed in the AFC. And they opened the playoffs at home on a Saturday night.

It was late in the fourth quarter, and the Broncos led 35–28. Then, the unthinkable happened. Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco connected with Jacoby Jones on a 70-yard TD strike with 31 seconds left in the game to tie it at 35–35. In overtime, Flacco led the Ravens to a field goal, winning the game 38–35 and ending the Broncos’ season. It was a heart-breaking moment that few fans will soon forget.

On September 15, Flacco will suit up again in Denver, this time as a member of the team. The question is, can he have that same magic? That day in Denver, Flacco threw for 41 more yards (331 to 290) and two fewer INTs than Manning in leading the Ravens to victory. He ultimately ended that season winning the Super Bowl as well.

Ironically, bringing him in via trade was hailed by some as the biggest move the Broncos have made since getting Manning, another quarterback that had given Broncos’ fans nightmares during playoff games when he wore another uniform. That move with Manning paid dividends for the Broncos, who went to two Super Bowls, winning one, during his four years in Denver.

A new System

Flacco comes in with years of experience, having played in Baltimore for 11 seasons, starting 163 games and going 96–67 as a starter. During that time he completed 61.7 percent of his passes, throwing for 38,245 yards, 212 TDs and 136 INTs. Not bad overall numbers, but Flacco has only thrown for more than 4,000 yards once (4,317 in 2016) despite playing at least nine games in each season, and recording nine 16-game seasons.

More troubling is that he’s coming off an injury-riddled and ineffective campaign, one in which he was supplanted by Lamar Jackson. The rookie led the Ravens on a run to close the year, helping them win the AFC North and host a playoff game. That performance was enough to convince the Ravens that it was time to turn to Jackson, which is how Flacco landed in Denver.

Last season, starting nine games for the Ravens, Flacco went 4–5, completing 61.2 percent of his passes. He threw for 2,465 yards, 12 TDs and six INTs. Hardly exceptional, but not terrible numbers. And it’s not like the Broncos set the bar high for any incoming QB. Case Keenum, who signed as a free agent last off-season, started all 16 games for Denver and completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 3,890 yards, 18 TDs and 15INTs. Meaning that in seven more games, he threw for just 1,400 more yards, six more TDs and tossed nine more INTs.

But it’s not just the person at quarterback that’s changed for Denver, the system has changed as well. Enter Rich Scangarello as Denver’s new offensive coordinator. Last season he served as the quarterback coach for the San Francisco 49ers, and though it was a lost season he managed to get some good results from three different QBs — Jimmy Garappolo, C.J. Beathard and undrafted rookie Nick Mullens. They combined for 4,247 yards, 26 TDs and 20 INTs, completing 62.2 percent of their passes. But particularly impressive was Mullens, who started eight games for the 49ers. Mullens went 3–5, completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,277 yards, 13 TDs and 10 INTs. The hope is that he can work with Flacco, and help get the best out of him, and the entire Denver pass offense.

And in that offense, Flacco will have plenty of weapons to work with. Emmanuel Sanders, who tore his Achilles late last season, is working his way back. He led the Broncos with 98 targets, turning that into 71 receptions for 868 yards and four TDs. The Broncos also welcome back a pair of second-year receivers, Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton, who got plenty of experience starting for the Broncos down the stretch. Sutton 42 passes for 704 yards and four TDs, and Hamilton caught 30 passes for 243 yards and two TDs, starting the final five games for Denver. In addition, the Broncos welcome back journeyman Tim Patrick, who proved a strong contributor at times in 2018. Patrick ended the season with 23 receptions for 315 yards and a TD. The hope is Sanders can work his way back, and while he does Sutton, Hamilton and Patrick can continue to take strides forward for the Broncos.

But Flacco has historically appreciated a solid tight end, and the Broncos made strides at that position this off-season. While Jake Butt recovers from yet another ACL tear, and Troy Fumagali has impressed heading into year two, the Broncos re-signed veteran Jeff Heuerman, who was a strong starter before getting injury in 2018. But the biggest addition for the Broncos was Noah Fant, who was drafted at pick 20 in the First Round out of Iowa. Fant figures to be a weapon in the passing game at tight end for the Broncos right out of the gate.

Flacco’s Competition

Whether or not Flacco can succeed comes down to a couple of things — his health and his competition. Flacco appears to be fully healthy (he returned as a backup to Jackson in the playoffs) and ready to roll. But for the second year in a row — this time playing in a new system and for a new team — Flacco has a highly drafted rookie behind him.

Last year the Ravens spent a First Round pick on Jackson. When the Broncos drafted Fant in the First Round and spent their second round pick on guard Dalton Risner, it seemed the plan was to build around the veteran Flacco. But quickly the Broncos traded right back up into the second round and nabbed Missouri product Drew Lock right after Risner.

Lock had long been linked to the Broncos, but many thought he’d go in the first round. Instead, he dropped to the middle of the second round and it was too good a deal for the Broncos to pass up, especially seeing what Scangarello did for Mullens last year. Lock was a four year starter at Missouri, throwing for 12,193 yards and 99 TDs, but only completing 56.9 percent of his passes. Still, as a senior he improved that 62.9 percent in a more pro-style offense, which could be a good sign. The Broncos invested big draft capital in Lock, and that combined with the fact the three years on Flacco’s contract aren’t guaranteed means the veteran could be on a short leash.

Also of interest is the Broncos’ signing of Brett Rypien, an undrafted free agent that was also linked to the Broncos in the draft. He was also a four year starter at Boise State, completing 64 percent of his passes for 13,578 yards and 90 TDs, giving the Broncos a pair of young options behind Flacco as they re-make their quarterback room.

Flacco’s Outlook

So what can we expect from Flacco? That’s the million dollar question, one that doesn’t get any easier after the death of Broncos’ owner Pat Bowlen and a season where the team is already dedicating their performance to their late owner. If Flacco can stay healthy, and can pick up Scangarello’s system, there is a potential for good things to happen.

With the San Francisco 49ers, despite having three QBs starting games, including an undrafted rookie, and a myriad of injuries to receivers and running backs, the offense produced 4,247 yards and 26 TDs. Flacco has more experience, good running backs and an arguably better receiving corps, and his 61.7 career completion percentage is on par with the performance of the 49ers QBs last season. But a couple things stick out. Flacco has only gone over 4,000 yards once, and his career high in TD passes is just 27, achieved in 2014. Only one other season did he even get as many as 25. So for him to hit those benchmarks the trio in San Francisco achieved in 2018 would mean he’d need to have a career year, which is exactly what John Elway was hoping to see when he acquired Flacco from the Ravens.

So where should you draft Flacco? If you’re in a deep league, I’d see him as a great flier for a backup, but I can’t see anyone feeling good about relying on Flacco as a starter in any size standard league. In 10 or 12-team leagues, I could see him going undrafted, as there are plenty of questions about his potential and his competition. He’s a player to watch during the pre-season and potentially stash in deeper leagues. You never know, maybe 2019 will finally be the year we see Flacco’s potential unleashed!