Rex Ryan: Drew Lock “lacks the maturity” to be a top QB
Apr 23, 2021, 3:48 PM
Drew Lock has a new quarterback comparison, and it’s one that might make Broncos Country feel little squeamish: Mark Sanchez.
Joining “Schlereth & Evans” on Friday, NFL analyst Rex Ryan — who as the New York Jets head coach traded up to draft The Sanchize — compared the two quarterbacks, citing maturity as Lock’s roadblock to NFL greatness.
“When I look at Drew Lock right now, this kid’s got ability. My problem is I think he lacks the maturity to be a great quarterback,” Ryan said. “He’s very similar to what you saw in Mark Sanchez some. Although we won a hell of a lot more games with Mark at quarterback.”
Chief among Ryan’s complaints about Lock include his on-field celebrations, but not necessarily his physical ability.
“I see this kid, when they win a game, boy you think this guy’s like … he’s running around like he won a Super Bowl. And it’s the third win of the season,” Ryan said. “I can’t stand that from this kid.
“Yet he’s got the mechanics. He’s got the ability to be an exceptional quarterback. But something seems to be missing there.”
Ryan said he “wouldn’t blame Denver” if they wanted to trade up from the No. 9 position to take a quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft. But if George Paton and the Broncos brass take that shot, Ryan said they best not miss.
“To me, Denver, there’s no sense trading up unless you 100 percent believe, from top to bottom in your organization, that there’s a difference maker to do so,” Ryan said.
In the end, Ryan said he thinks the Broncos will wait and “let the draft come to them,” where he believes they will select a cornerback — like Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II or South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn.
“I think one of those two guys really fit in that defense, and that defense should be nasty,” Ryan said. “No more excuses. We’ve seen Vic Fangio do a great job when his team is better than everybody else’s, and that’s what they’re building there in Denver.”
