Broncos open to “any position” at pick No. 9, including QB
Mar 4, 2021, 8:27 PM
With the NFL Draft eight weeks away, the Denver Broncos aren’t taking any position off the board with regard to the No. 9 overall pick — including quarterback.
Broncos general manager George Paton told reporters via a video conference on Thursday the team’s philosophy with the top pick is they are “open to any position.”
“We’re going to take the best player that can help this football team. Quarterback, safety — it doesn’t matter what player and what position,” Paton said. “If it’s the best player on the board, we’re going to take him.”
Head coach Vic Fangio said Thursday the team is always looking to “raise the level of competition” at all positions, and “quarterback is no different in that regard.”
“Until we get — or until Drew (Lock) proves to be the next great quarterback like the ones that the Denver franchise has been used to in years past or the ones certain teams around the league have … we’re going to always try and bring in competition,” Fangio said. “But I have confidence that Drew can continue to improve.”
Paton said he’s spoken with Lock already this offseason, calling the third-year Broncos quarterback “talented” but at times “inconsistent.”
In his first year as the starter under center, Lock went 4-9 in 13 games while completing just 57.3 percent of his passes for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Lock, however, delivered some of the best games of his career down the stretch for Denver, including a 21-of-27 effort against the Carolina Panthers in Week 14 that included four touchdowns, 280 yards passing, and a passer rating of 149.5.
“I see him every day. He’s here early, and he’s working. He really wants to be great,” Paton said. “We’re always going to try and bring in competition to every position, the quarterback as well. I like the trek that Drew is on.”
The comments come on the heels of a mock draft this week from CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso that had the Broncos trading up for the No. 3 overall pick to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
“The Broncos desperately want to fix the quarterback spot, and who would blame them? So they make a bold move to get Fields in Denver,” Trapasso wrote.
