Don’t rule the Denver Broncos out of drafting a quarterback
Apr 28, 2021, 1:12 PM | Updated: 1:16 pm
The Broncos made waves trading for Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday, but does that rule general manager George Paton out from drafting a quarterback in the next three days of the draft?
I'll stubbornly say it doesn't take them out of QB conversation in Round 1. we're talking about it on the Fan Draft War Room now! @1043TheFan https://t.co/M2h3m4vGC0 https://t.co/fyLsPLYWYl
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) April 28, 2021
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, this trade will not take the Broncos out of the market for a quarterback on Thursday.
104.3 The Fan host Cecil Lammey says the decision to draft another quarterback this week is an extremely important decision for Paton.
“Why do we keep putting this off? This league doesn’t wait for any man,” Lammey said. “Why does Drew Lock deserve another shot? He hasn’t been good. And the last thing we want is for this team to be mediocre again and then just keep everybody. The league is passing this team by.”
Bridgewater started 15 games for Carolina in 2020 and completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,733 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 279 yards and five touchdowns.
Lock started 13 games for the Broncos in 2020 and completed 57.3 percent of his passes for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
104.3 The Fan host Brandon Stokley reacted during the Fan War Room and said that competition at the quarterback position isn’t ideal, but in this case it is necessary.
“In this situation I believe it is going to be a competition. We will see who wins. The best quarterback is going to be the starter,” Stokley said.
The Panthers will pay $7 million to Bridgewater, while the Broncos will pay him $3 million plus $1.5 million in salary, per Schefter.
Remember, Paton was part of the Minnesota Vikings front office when they drafted Bridgewater in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Where do the Broncos stand now after drafting Bridgewater? Lammey said there is still work that needs to be done.
“You’re in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert … the Broncos are entering a season thinking they can compete with Lock and Bridgewater, which is preposterous,” Lammey said.
Obviously Bridgewater isn’t merely a reliable backup option. The quarterback is headed to the Broncos to compete for the starting job.
“Acquiring Teddy Bridgewater adds competition, experience and a strong veteran presence to our quarterback room,” Paton said in a statement released by the Broncos.
Overall, Lammey says it is not out of the question to have the Broncos make a move for a young quarterback.
“It doesn’t take them out of quarterback at all,” Lammey said. “For everyone excited about a quarterback at nine or maybe even moving up to seven, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
