The die may be cast against the polarizing Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock, as members of the organization continue to show interest in, and attend the scheduled pro days of Justin Fields and Trey Lance.
According to Woody Paige of the Colorado Springs Gazette, Paton has already made the initial call to the Atlanta Falcons gauging the market for the fourth overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft, seemingly solidifying his undeniable captivation with these young signal-callers.
With Paton attending both Fields and Lance’s first respective Pro Day workouts and with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur attending their follow-up workouts, it is clear his quote about being “in on every deal” is not just lip service.
If the price is right, the Broncos will take a step in determining the future of the franchise and moving further away from a future featuring Lock.
Much remains undetermined with the San Francisco 49ers selecting one spot prior to Atlanta, but the rumor that they have a deep interest in the former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. With the first and second spots as good as locked in (Trevor Lawrence first and Zach Wilson second), Denver could have their pick of Trey Lance and Fields if those rumors hold true.
This 2021 quarterback class may go down as an all-time great group with multiple franchise-changing talents, even outside of the oft-praised Lawrence and Wilson.
Fields is a tough, heady leader with an electric arm and Lance is an athletic, intelligent play-caller. The ceiling is sky-high for both.
Having quarterbacks that talented potentially available when the Broncos are on the clock could spell doom for Lock, but it should be noted that before Paige’s most recent article reporting on the calls between Denver and Atlanta that he tweeted out his belief that the team would stick with Lock in 2021.
I’ve said for months Lock will be starter for Broncos to begin season. I haven’t changed opinion. He will be backed up by a draft choice or a veteran. And nobody knows who that will be, including the Broncos.
— Woody Paige (@woodypaige) April 15, 2021
However, if Fields or Lance is the selection at pick No. 4, Lock will lose whatever position of power he currently has and he would likely be traded.
Even if he miraculously remained on the roster as the starter, he would have the 2021 and 2022 seasons to make a good impression on before moving on to whoever his next suitor would be.
Lock is only 24 years old and has a chance to contribute to an NFL franchise as a starter. To what level of success remains to be seen, but it’s unlikely he would gladly and peacefully concede to a successor at this point in his career.
That means either win the competition and still risk being replaced in a year or two, or be relegated to a cast-off role much like Sam Darnold, and pray it works out like it did for Ryan Tannehill.
If he does not hold up to the winning tradition that Broncos Country has, the clamoring for a change will happen, especially with the potential solution already waiting in the wings. That would not bode well for his chances at getting more than a supporting role on another team moving forward.
Quarterback development in the modern NFL is less like a Crockpot and more like an Instant Pot. You need to see results quickly and Lock is already low on time. It’s unlikely his second team would give him a longer leash than what he has seen in Denver thus far; meaning he would have approximately 17 games to show his stuff.
Paton has a tough choice to make in the coming days but even if a trade-up is accomplished, it may not occur until minutes before the selection is made.
Paton will have some intense valuation ahead and it is clear he likes what he sees, but will he like the price tag?
We will know in about a week.