Denver Broncos: 5 players with the most to prove in 2021

Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
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Denver Broncos, Drew Lock, Garett Bolles
Dec 29, 2019; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) attempts a pass as offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) defends against Oakland Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Lock, quarterback

There is no player on the roster with more to prove this season than Drew Lock. How could there be?

Lock has had at least half of the fanbase (probably more) ready to throw in the towel on him as a starting quarterback. He’s had to listen to the constant trade rumors (and another trade could still happen) and he had to worry about the team using its first-round pick to take a quarterback.

Many Broncos fans were outraged when the team passed on Justin Fields, but Lock was smiling. It was another vote of confidence in his direction, similar to when the team did not draft a left tackle in last year’s draft.

We saw how Bolles responded to that and hopefully, Lock can respond similarly.

Lock has played in the equivalent of one season’s worth of games as the team’s starting quarterback and it is ridiculous to say he’s already reached his ceiling. He also hasn’t had the same offensive coordinator two years in a row since sometime in high school.

That usually leads to some issues.

If the Broncos show him some confidence (and aside for trading for Teddy Bridgewater, they pretty much have), Lock could have a big 2021 season and put all of that talk of replacing him to rest.

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