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Denver Broncos post free agency thoughts and rumors

By Sayre Bedinger

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Quarterback Drew Lock of Missouri works out during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Quarterback Drew Lock of Missouri works out during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 31: Drew Lock #3 of the Missouri Tigers reacts during the first half of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 31: Drew Lock #3 of the Missouri Tigers reacts during the first half of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

The case for a quarterback

If the Broncos really do want to draft a quarterback 10th overall, and they don’t care about screwing Joe Flacco over royally, their move was really a genius one.

What’s the going rate for trading up for a quarterback these days?

No matter what position you’re moving up from, the value is about the equivalent of two first-round picks and a third-round pick.

Teams like the Jets last year got creative because they had a load of second-round picks, but for the most part, you have to be willing to give up next year’s first-round pick to move up and get a quarterback.

If the Broncos are hiding their intentions of taking a QB in the first round by trading for Joe Flacco, and only paying a fourth-round pick to do it, John Elway might be able to get the guy he wants (Lock) and not have to trade anything more than a fourth-rounder to do it.

Then the Broncos could cut or trade Flacco with no financial implications at any point.

Wouldn’t that be something?

Denver’s situation shouldn’t be compared to Philadelphia’s from 2016 or Kansas City’s from 2017, but perhaps Cleveland’s from 2018.

The Browns traded a 3rd-round pick for Tyrod Taylor and held the top overall pick in the NFL Draft, but they pitched Taylor as their starter from day one. Then they drafted Baker Mayfield and pulled Taylor pretty early in the season.

Obviously, Denver doesn’t have the number one overall pick, but teams ahead of them probably don’t want Drew Lock, so like the Browns, they might be able to pick the guy they want without having to move up to do it.

Nobody is under the illusion that Joe Flacco is the QB of the future in Denver, but who knows? John Elway said he thinks Flacco is going into his prime years. Maybe that means he doesn’t want a quarterback in round one this year, but if he thinks Lock can be the franchise foundation piece, he should take him, regardless of what Flacco thinks of it.

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