Denver Broncos unlock Drew Lock, likely to start rookie QB
The time is finally here as the Denver Broncos unlock rookie quarterback Drew Lock, who is likely to start on Sunday against the Chargers.
It is has been a tumultuous season for the Denver Broncos and a difficult waiting period for rookie Drew Lock.
The Broncos took Lock in the second round just after the selection of left guard Dalton Risner. While the expectation was for Lock to not play this season due to Joe Flacco being the starting quarterback, those plans changed when Flacco went down with a neck injury. But Lock dealt with his own injury before the regular season.
Before the season started the rookie quarterback suffered a thumb injury that landed him on injured reserve. It took the team until now to activate Lock off of IR to (likely) become the starter this Sunday against the Chargers.
It’s fair to wonder if Lock never got injured he may have seen the field sooner. That is hard to argue due to the play of Flacco but hindsight is always 20/20.
At long last, the team activated Lock on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s game.
As for the expectations for Lock, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio has said it is important for him to be comfortable first and foremost. Fangio said that the scenario and comfortability play a factor.
Vic Fangio: When deciding whether to throw a young QB out there, the opponent and scenario “is something you consider, but I don’t think it’s the ultimate decider; eventually you’ve got to play a road game."
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 25, 2019
One thing that must be done is adjusting the playbook to fit a player’s skillset at quarterback. My guess is there won’t be wholesale changes to the offense, but there are distinct differences in Brandon Allen and Drew Lock.
The former Mizzou standout is a much better talent overall, but he doesn’t have as much time on task in practice as Allen.
Vic Fangio said the Broncos would alter the offense for a new player, specifically a quarterback.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) November 25, 2019
"“You always have to do that anytime you’re going with a new player, particularly a quarterback. You know, call and play what you feel the guy is comfortable executing.”
Lock has a golden arm, or as we say at Predominantly Orange a “Winter Soldier” arm. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best of the bunch. There are inconsistencies in his game, but him being a gunslinger can help him overcome those deficiencies.
Where Lock will need to be better is pocket awareness. There was a vast improvement in the preseason if we compare him in college to the NFL. However, due to the offensive line in Denver, he will need to run a time or two.
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Nonetheless, this is an exciting time for the Broncos because they can get a good look at whether Lock is the “future” going forward. If not, then the Broncos have a top-10 pick currently to find a franchise quarterback.