Despite the buzz around the NFL, Drew Lock is more likely than not lined up to be the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2021.
Once the Denver Broncos realized they would not get the former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, as he was dealt with the Los Angeles Rams when the NFL’s new league year begins in March, chances of Drew Lock lining up as the Denver Broncos quarterback in 2021 seem more and more likely.
Though there may be mutual interest, and a possibility the Broncos could be in on Deshaun Watson, even that deal seems like a long-shot.
Dak Prescott could be an option if the Dallas Cowboys fumble the entire situation.
Drafting a quarterback high seems even more unlikely at this point as no incoming player provides an immediate upgrade to Lock in year-one.
As George Paton — the Broncos’ new General Manager — begins to evaluate the organization, he has likely identified what Lock must to be the franchise cornerstone for this organization for years to come.
Drew Lock must begin to hone in on his areas of weakness and take control of this franchise if he wants to entrench himself as a long-time fixture for the Denver Broncos.
Here are four areas of his game Lock must address to be “The Guy” past the 2021 season. The team was always headed towards 2021 as the year to compete, and now it hinges on Lock to do it.
4. Drew Lock must play a full 16-game season
Drew Lock’s physical talent is unquestionable. Drew Lock has the size, arm strength, and mobility to fit in today’s NFL game and perform at an above average-quarterback-level.
An attribute Lock struggles with is availability. He has had two significant injuries during his two-year NFL career causing him to miss significant time.
That time missed cost this team wins, himself experience, and lost time gelling with his teammates.
Though not all injuries are the player’s fault, his absence negatively impacts the team regardless of the reason. In the end, availability is the most important trait players can have. You can’t help the team from the training tub.
In 2019, of course, Lock missed the first eleven games following an injury to his hand. This last season, Lock missed four starts and most of the 5th game with a shoulder injury.
For someone needing repetitions, Lock must find a way to prepare his body for the physicality of the NFL game.
3. Drew Lock must take care of the ball, while still making plays
In 2019, Drew Lock showed heady play with a touchdown-interception ratio of 7/3, providing hope that the young quarterback could excel at minimizing turnovers.
In 2020, Lock threw 15 interceptions with only 16 touchdowns. If you add the three rushing touchdowns with the three lost fumbles, Lock’s turnover to touchdown ratio sat at 19/18.
Turning the ball over cost this team several games this year, and presumably a shot at a winning season and or playoff bid.
To remain the guy, Lock must continue to put his team in a good position, and that starts with limiting turnovers. The only game Denver had without a turnover came in Week 17, against the Raiders.
The 2020 Denver Broncos were last in the league with 32 turnovers, and improving that starts with Lock.
2. Drew Lock must hit on the deep ball more consistently
Drew Lock’s arm strength puts him in the upper echelon of quarterbacks in the NFL. However, that arm strength poses little threat to defenses if you cannot connect when deep shots are available.
We saw a few times this season, where Drew Lock was able to connect with a receiver deep down the field, however, that was few and far between.
Per ESPN Next Gen Stats, Lock sits an average passer rating of 60.5 throwing the ball past 20 yards downfield. The league average is 79.8 on throws beyond 20 yards.
The inability for Lock and this offense to hit on shot plays with either a big play or a pass interference call contributed mightly to the offensive scoring woes.
Presumably, with Courtland Sutton returning in 2021, and a year where Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler have time with Lock in the offseason should help improve his playmaking ability.
However, the responsibility lies with him to make sure when the big-plays are there to be made, he makes them.
1. Drew Lock must build on his progress over the final stretch of the 2020 season
Drew Lock showed improvement over the last several weeks as the offense began to gel.
Lock finished the season’s last six weeks with a touchdown/interception ratio of 9/5 and a passer rating of 87.35. Though these numbers are not outstanding, they show significant growth midseason, which should provide anyone watching some hope.
A second season with the same offensive coordinator in Pat Shurmur, along with the health of a very talented receiving corps and an up-and-coming offensive line should, in theory, present Lock with the right ingredients to keep growing.
The team’s desire to keep continuity had Lock at the forefront of their plan.
Add in an offseason where Lock may be able to attend Offseason Team Activities (OTA’s) and we could see a vastly improved version of Drew Lock in 2021.
If Lock continues to build on that success in 2021, we should get a ton of dancing and celebrations next season as the team finally found their Rock Star Quarterback the organization has been desperately looking for.
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Drew Lock addressing these four areas will go along way in and he could just end up being the quarterback many believe he could be, and we all need him to be.