After the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos still have a quarterback room of Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater, and Brett Rypien. Although Lock was promised that he would face competition in 2021, he had to be holding his breath as the Denver Broncos were on the clock with the 9th overall pick before they selected Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
Since he was hired by the team as general manager, George Paton has preached drafting and developing, getting players to second contracts, and maximizing the potential of the guys they have in house.
As much sense as it would have made for the Denver Broncos to take Justin Fields with the 9th overall pick, doesn’t that speak volumes to what Paton has said to this point about Lock?
For the time being, it definitely speaks volumes to that.
Paton has stated on numerous occasions that he likes Drew Lock, he likes his potential, he likes how Lock is working so far this offseason, and it’s worth circling back to what Paton said at a press conference earlier in the offseason.
"I did a deep drive on Drew. Like I said in my [introductory] press conference, [he’s] very talented. He was inconsistent at times and has a lot to work on, but I’ve spoken with Drew. I see him every day. He’s here early and he’s working. He really wants to be great. We’re always going to try and bring in competition to every position, the quarterback as well. I like the trek that Drew is on.George Paton (March 4) via Broncos PR"
Paton has now proven that he wasn’t blowing smoke at that time. The Broncos have explored the options of getting Matthew Stafford from the Lions, Deshaun Watson from the Texans, and even Aaron Rodgers from the Packers.
The latter two options still exist depending on what happens with Watson’s off-field situation, which for the time being has made him untradeable.
The signal the Denver Broncos sent after the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft?
They are more confident in Drew Lock developing than they are in Justin Fields or Mac Jones reaching what Paton called a “high ceiling” at least in the case of Fields.
For those who simply refuse to see the potential Drew Lock showed in 2020, let that sink in a bit. The Broncos could have drafted Fields or Jones and ultimately used them in a trade to acquire someone like Watson at a later time, but they didn’t.
Paton stuck to his guns, is believing in the “trek” that Lock is on, and is willing to bet on Lock’s development in the event he can’t trade for another veteran at a later time. We’ll see how the Rodgers situation plays out because it seems he’s dug his heels in with the Packers, but for the time being, the first-round selection of Patrick Surtain II speaks volumes about what Paton and the Broncos’ coaching staff really believe about Lock.
Paton himself attended the pro days of Trey Lance (who might have been his preferred QB) and Justin Fields. He brought QBs coach Mike Shula and his front office no. 2 Brian Stark with him. Then he sent Pat Shurmur to go see both Lance and Fields himself.
It would be fascinating to know what the discussion on those players was like. If Lance had lasted past the third overall pick, perhaps Paton would have moved up for him with Bridgewater now in place.
He could have done the same with Fields, but he didn’t. It’s not unreasonable to think that Drew Lock was part of the reason why.
The Denver Broncos have not abandoned their initial hope in Lock, even with a new general manager in place.
Denver Broncos pass on QB, add Patrick Surtain II to revamped secondary
The Denver Broncos stayed at nine overall and selected Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II, making Crimson Tide players in consecutive years.
The talk as of Thursday was that Lock could legitimately be traded on Friday. That talk is all but dead now, and Lock has new life in Denver for the time being.