Drew Lock is proof that the “khaki pants” theory is the way to go
Dec 11, 2019, 6:34 AM | Updated: 10:41 am
I have to admit, I feel invested in the success or failure of Drew Lock. I’m the creator of the Khaki Pants Theory, which states that NFL teams don’t need to reach and over-draft quarterbacks high up in the first round. I believe quality, starting quarterbacks can be found in rounds two through four, which frees teams to instead draft potentially great players in the first round.
I look at the last 10 years of drafted quarterbacks. The top-10 QBs in terms of wins is led by Russell Wilson. There is an even split, five and five, of first round quarterbacks and khaki pants QBs in the top 10 in wins. Khaki pants QBs have a better playoff record, more Super Bowl appearances and more championships.
Why go back 10 years? I believe any good research project that is based on a solid decade of data is revealing. Plus, it covers a time in the NFL that has seen radical changes in the way the game is played and officiated. Also, it covers an even more revolutionary period in college football, which has seen an unprecedented explosion in offense.
What that tells me is there are more offensive systems and philosophies in play than ever before. That means there is a much deeper pool of quarterbacks to choose from that are capable of excelling in the NFL.
Look around the NFL. The list of likely playoff teams include khaki pants QBs like Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garappolo, Drew Brees and Dak Prescott. Add in undrafted Devlin Hodges from the Steelers and you see my point.
Now, yes, I find myself rooting for Lock. And while two games isn’t enough to convince me he’s “the answer,” I have seen enough to be convinced he’s the guy to build around and give him every opportunity to be the guy.
Further making my point is when you look at Lock and do the eye test. Imagine him out there with all the first round QBs drafted lately, guys like Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Mitchell Trubisky, Josh Rosen, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. If you didn’t know where the guys were drafted and just watched all of them, I bet you wouldn’t think Lock was the second rounder. In fact, I bet you’d put Lock as a higher first-round pick than most of the aforementioned bonus babies.
So, let’s add this all up. By not reaching and over-drafting a quarterback two years ago, the Broncos have come away with Bradley Chubb, Noah Fant, Dalton Risner and Lock. There’s no reason Lock can’t be “The Guy.” And there’s no reason why you can’t find your QB of the future in the khaki pants zone.