By: Andrew Parker
It has been a tough start for the 2019 Denver Broncos. The team is still searching for their first win and their schedule isn’t lightening up anytime soon. While it will be an uphill battle to compete again this season, there are pieces on the roster that offer a sliver of hope for next season.
Current starting quarterback Joe Flacco hasn’t been the problem this year, as his numbers are right around the middle of the pack among starters this year.
It is quite obvious that the 34-year-old Flacco is just a placeholder for the Broncos until they find a franchise QB. That is where the Broncos second-round pick Drew Lock comes into play.
Lock exceeded expectations at the University of Missouri. He finds himself near the top of the leaderboards in almost every passing statistic in SEC history.
Many thought that Lock would wind up being a day one draft pick, and some were shocked that he slipped as far as he did to the second-round. Lock showed glimpses of excellence in the preseason, but also showed some growing pains then ultimately led to a thumb injury which landed him on the IR to start the season.
It is expected that the injury will sideline him for six to eight weeks. He will also be eligible to return this year, as each team gets to bring back two players off IR during the regular season.
Bringing back Lock this year could be beneficial to the Broncos with their eyes most likely already set on 2020.
The Broncos could give their young quarterback some valuable playing time and see what he can do without the pressure of having to win right away. With younger players on offense like Phillip Lindsay, Dalton Risner, Courtland Sutton, and Noah Fant, they should see what they have with Lock and develop this group together.
Cover photo via: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
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