Teams have been quick to add to their quarterback rooms this week. After the Patriots re-signed Cam Newton, the likes of Jameis Winston, Tyrod Taylor, Jacoby Brissett, Andy Dalton, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Mitchell Trubisky are off the board.
The Broncos have long been connected to adding a veteran quarterback to compete with Drew Lock, but they have stood down thus far this week. However, GM George Paton confirmed the team’s plan remains to bring in a veteran this offseason.
“We like Drew Lock. We have a plan in place. There’s free agency, there’s a draft, there’s trades. There’s a lot of ways to acquire a QB,” Paton said, via 9News’ Mike Klis (on Twitter). “Fortunately, we have a QB here. We do want to bring in competition; we’re not going to force it.”
Some notable veterans who would make sense as Lock competition include Sam Darnold, Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew. While Jimmy Garoppolo has also been linked to trades, there would not be a Garoppolo-Lock competition were the Broncos to acquire the 49ers starter. The Jaguars have received calls on Minshew, and given how other teams have filled their QB needs, it would not be surprising if the Broncos were one of the teams to inquire. It would be interesting to see the Broncos bring in a sixth-round QB from the draft in which they used a second-round pick on Lock. A Darnold move would likely cost Denver a Day 2 pick, potentially requiring a package including a second-round choice and change.
As far as free agents go, some notable names remain. But most of the top UFAs are gone, as should be expected. The Lions shopped Chase Daniel before releasing him; he joins A.J. McCarron, Colt McCoy, Blaine Gabbert and Brian Hoyer as veteran UFAs. Though, each has been a backup for several seasons running. It is also not certain if a team will give Alex Smith the chance to continue his career.
Paton said the Broncos will consider a quarterback at No. 9 overall. The Broncos should be in position to land one of the draft’s top five passer prospects at No. 9, but it is possible four QBs go earlier. That scenario’s potential would put Paton to a decision. The Broncos have used first-round picks on QBs — Paxton Lynch, Tim Tebow and Jay Cutler this century — but have never taken one in the top 10.
Sign Alex Smith to a deal and have him help Drew Lock.
That’s maybe the most common sense post I have ever seen on TradeRumors
Sign Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert and have the 3 compete for best former Mizzou qb in the nfl.
I have to admit, that would be entertaining for a minute.
That said, the Broncos need to bring in a vet who could start, if they’re going to do that. Most of those guys are off the table. Either you get a QB for a bit or you get a guy who puts real pressure on Lock and hope it works. If not, you may as well hope for a good QB to fall to 9 and draft him. The offense actually looks good outside of QB, so drafting a new guy could be justified… if you have confidence in the current staff to develop him. I personally am not so sure about that, but we’ll see.
As a lifelong Broncos fan (living in SoCal), they need to pull the trigger on DeShaun Watson. There is not another QB available via free agency or the draft that will help you compete with the Chiefs and Chargers for the next 12-15 years. Period. Sorry Raider fans for leaving out your team but Carr isn’t taking anyone to the Lombardi trophy either.
I think Watson’s going to be in a holding pattern for a while with all the lawsuits against him. One thing’s for sure. That practice squad WR (Hinton?) who played QB in college at Wake Forest and was forced to start will not be the one challenging Lock.
Looks like the Broncos are planning to mail it in for 2021, thus this should be the last year we see Vic Fangio.
As for picking a QB with pick #9 that would be foolish, as there are only 2 QBs with pro potential in this draft and both will be long gone by then. They would be better off looking for a linebacker that can cover Kelce or Waller, as nobody currently on this squad can do that.