Broncos 2021 NFL Draft odds: Denver wants competition for Drew Lock, favored to select quarterback with first pick
The new Broncos general manager didn't exactly endorse Drew Lock as the team's 2021 starting quarterback on Thursday, and Denver is favored to take a QB with its first pick in next week's draft.
It was no secret that the Denver Broncos tried to trade for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford this offseason but lost out to the Los Angeles Rams. On Thursday, new Broncos general manager George Paton reiterated that the team wants competition for incumbent starting QB Drew Lock this season. To that end, William Hill Sportsbook oddsmakers favor the Broncos to take a quarterback at +100 over all other positions with their initial pick in next week's draft.
Denver currently sits ninth in Thursday's first round, and one of the top five quarterbacks could fall there – Trevor Lawrence is going first to Jacksonville, Zach Wilson is going second to the Jets, and either Mac Jones, Justin Fields or Trey Lance is going third to San Francisco.
Atlanta at No. 4 could take a quarterback or could trade the pick to another team that wants its choice of whomever is left of Jones/Fields/Lance. Cincinnati at No. 5 and Miami at No. 6 are not taking quarterbacks, and Detroit at No. 7 probably will not as the Lions will give Jared Goff a shot first. Carolina at No. 8 just traded for Sam Darnold.
Again, though, multiple teams could try to get ahead of the Broncos – New England? Chicago? Washington? -- and in theory all five top guys could be gone if Denver stands pat. The William Hill prop is whichever player the Broncos take with their initial pick, no matter where that pick lands. It has been reported the Broncos have spoken to the Falcons about the No. 4 pick.
Lock was a 2019 second-round pick after a record-setting career at Missouri, but Paton wasn't in the Denver front office then so he has no loyalty to the QB. Lock is 8-10 as a starter in the NFL and regressed as a sophomore, completing just 57.3 percent of his passes for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns and a league-high 15 picks -- tied with Carson Wentz -- in 13 games. Wentz, of course, was dealt this offseason.
When asked whether the Broncos would open the season with Lock under center, Paton said: "I don't know about Week 1. We're really high on Drew. He's working hard. He's trending in the right direction. As you know, he has a lot of talent. I think he's becoming a better pro. But we're still going to look at the quarterback position. I've said since I got here, we want to bring in competition, and that's the goal, and we plan on doing that."
Denver essentially has been looking for a quarterback since Peyton Manning retired. The team has been linked to a trade for Carolina's Teddy Bridgewater as Paton was in the Vikings' front office when Bridgewater was drafted by Minnesota in 2014. The Panthers have no need for Bridgewater after landing Darnold.
"We do want the right guy," Paton added. "We still have time. There's a trade market. We still have the draft. We're going to be patient. Not force it. But we do want competition. The landscape could change after the draft if a team takes a quarterback and then that (previous starter) is on the market."
Via William Hill: Broncos First Drafted Player Exact Playing Position
- Quarterback +100
- Linebacker +350
- Offensive lineman +450
- Cornerback +550
- Wide receiver +1500
- Defensive lineman +1800
Who wins the 2021 Kentucky Derby? And which massive long shot is a must-back? Join SportsLine right now to get Jody Demling's Kentucky Derby winner, see which huge long shot contends, and get the finish positions for every single horse, all from the expert who's nailed nine Derby-Oaks doubles!
