Report: TCU QB Max Duggan a Late-Round 'Possibility' for Broncos

A candidate to become Denver's QB3.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan is a "possibility" to be drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the upcoming NFL draft, 9NEWS insider Mike Klis reported Wednesday. Klis previously listed Duggan as an "option" at pick No. 195 overall.

"Don’t be surprised if the Broncos look for a backup QB in this draft," he wrote on April 3. "Duggan doesn’t have the measurables NFL scouts are looking for but after his stellar college career there is no way he should fall to the 6th round – even if that’s where he’s projected.

"Duggan has a high football IQ and makes plays with both his arm and legs. Broncos QB No. 3?"

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Duggan, 22, was a four-year starter for the Horned Frogs, amassing 11,474 yards from scrimmage and 101 total touchdowns (73 passing, 28 rushing). He led the program to an appearance in the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship while racking up a litany of accolades, including the Davey O'Brien Award (top NCAA QB), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top upperclassman QB), and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Though a terrific leader and cerebrally impressive, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Iowa native — born with a heart defect that went uncorrected until 2020 — profiles as a backup at the next level due to size and arm-strength limitations. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Duggan to Colts QB Sam Ehlinger.

"Scrappy quarterback possessing the attitude, toughness and leadership that teams love," Zierlein wrote in his scouting profile. "Duggan has proven himself to be capable of overcoming adversity and finding ways to help his team win with his arm or legs. However, he has limited arm strength and frequently forces receivers to break stride on deep balls and crossing routes. Duggan’s intangibles give him a chance to become an NFL backup but his limitations as a passer cap his ceiling."

That may be enough for the Broncos, who appear poised to add to the position after also expressing interest in Penn State's Sean Clifford and Purdue's Aidan O'Connell.

Denver currently has three passers on its offseason roster: Russell Wilson, the locked-in starter; Jarrett Stidham, who signed a two-year, $10 million free-agent deal; and Jarrett Guarantano, a project from the previous coaching regime.

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