Five realistic options if the Broncos want to replace Drew Lock
Dec 31, 2020, 2:36 PM
Drew Lock was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft to be the future of the Denver Broncos, but it hasn’t gone that way this season for the young quarterback. After a 4-1 record in 2019 as a rookie, Lock proved he was deserving of starting every game in 2020.
While starting this season, he’s gone 4-7; that’s taking out his start against Pittsburgh since he only played in the first quarter after getting injured. Lock has 57 percent completion percentage and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. It’s probably time for the Broncos front office and coaching staff to look at someone else via free agency, or even the draft.
If they do, here are five realistic options for the Broncos to bring in to replace Lock.
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5. Ryan Fitzpatrick
The 16-year veteran could be moving on from Miami due to the fact that they’ve drafted Tua Tagovailoa and will fully commit to the young QB next season. This year, Brian Flores has used both quarterbacks in unique ways. Tagovailoa has started games, but if he struggles, Flores puts Fitzpatrick in to close out the game.
Fitzpatrick wasn’t thrilled earlier in the year when Miami made the move to their rookie quarterback because the team was playing well. Fitzpatrick had mentioned that he was scared that he played his final game.
If Fitzpatrick wants to continue to be a starter, he could easily make the decision to come to Denver and be the starter over Drew Lock. John Elway has gone out and signed plenty of veteran quarterbacks and this scenario would make sense once again.
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4. Draft a QB
This is turning into a real option depending on where the Broncos end up drafting this coming April. If the Broncos are picking around the seventh overall selection, they could easily look and see if they are falling in love with one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.
Trevor Lawrence is likely out of the question due to the fact that he’s a once-in-a-generation type talent. It would make no sense for the Jaguars to move on from their own pick. So where does that leave the Broncos? Denver would have to look at the second- or third-best quarterbacks in the draft. Those quarterbacks are Zach Wilson and Justin Fields.
The Ohio State dual threat quarterback was projected to be the second-best quarterback in the draft, but has regressed a little this season according to Joel Klatt. The buzz now is that BYU’s Wilson is climbing up draft boards quickly.
Denver could decide to make a trade to move up in the draft and possibly trade with a team like the Jets, who hold the second-overall pick. This would make sense if the Jets are willing to stay with Sam Darnold. That leads us to our next option for Denver.
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3. Sam Darnold
Adam Schefter has mentioned multiple times now that he’s not so sure the Jets would on from Darnold after the year since they now own the second pick in the draft. A lot of teams around the NFL think that Darnold could still be a really good quarterback in this league. Maybe the right coaching could help his development next season if the Jets move on from their head coach Adam Gase.
If the new regime comes in and is willing to ship Darnold for more draft picks, Denver could be a team calling to see what the asking price is. Elway was a big fan of Darnold’s in the 2018 NFL Draft and even tried moving up with the Jets with the third pick to grab Darnold. Mike Klis had mentioned on 104.3 The Fan that Elway still likes Darnold.
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2. Matthew Stafford
Chad Brown had reported on “The Drive” that he’s hearing that the Lions are “going to be moving on” from Stafford after the 2020 season. This news has now been picked up dramatically after I tweeted the quote out from Brown and eventually made it nationally on Pat McAfee’s radio show. Let’s just say Lions fans are not happy with this report.
With Detroit going into a full rebuild this offseason, including a new front office, it would make sense for the Lions to move on from Stafford. It would cost the team too much to just release the 32-year old, so they would likely trade him. Stafford has been a top 10 quarterback in this league for some time now, but his team has struggled because he’s only been given a top 10 scoring defense once in his career.
Who’s not to say that Stafford would want to be traded as well? Stafford doesn’t want to be going into a full rebuild. If Stafford were to come to Denver and have the weapons he has now and a nearly top 10 defense, the Broncos would definitely be making it to the playoffs next season.
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1. Tyrod Taylor
The Chargers have found their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert and with Taylor becoming a free agent, he will want to go somewhere where he can start. Taylor had the starting job in Los Angeles until he had a freak accident when the team doctor had accidentally punctured his lung before a game.
There is a connection with the Broncos for Taylor. When Gary Kubiak was the head coach of the Broncos, Denver had tried to sign Taylor and even offered him the most money before he ultimately signed with the Bills.
Kubiak had built a relationship with him while calling plays for the Ravens in 2014. Denver then tried trading for him while he was with Buffalo, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, but instead signed Case Keenum in free agency.
If Taylor becomes available, the third time may be the charm for the Broncos.
