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George Paton has big decisions to make as he takes control of the Denver Broncos roster. Free agency and the NFL Draft will be key, but what could gain the upper hand is the quarterback position.
Some close to the Broncos see Drew Lock returning for one last swing at the plate, with a small competition of veterans behind him like Andy Dalton, Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jacoby Brissett. However, that equation has changed somewhat since Lock came back as a fait accompli to become much less certain.
What changed? The Detroit Lions have granted Matthew Stafford’s request to seek a trade.
Over the weekend, NFL speculation was that in order to land Stafford, the Broncos would have to give up the No.9 pick in the 2021 draft, plus at least a second round, and / or Lock or a wide receiver. Monday, NBC Sports“Peter King offered a less prohibitive possibility.
King ranked the Broncos among the top three contenders in the Stafford draw, ranking Denver No.2 behind the Indianapolis Colts and ahead of the New England Patriots.
2. Broncos. New general manager George Paton, who closely watched Stafford for 12 years in Minnesota, would be sold on Drew Lock. Competition needed. Compensation: Two second round picks (including 39th overall this year). Or Lock plus the second round of this year.
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Former No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, Stafford played 12 seasons in Detroit. He arrived at a Pro Bowl (as a substitute) but racked up some serious stats. He is the fastest QB in NFL history to reach 45,000 passing yards and totaled 282 touchdowns.
Sadly, Stafford’s statistical output hasn’t been able to move the Lions forward for nearly a decade. The future 33-year-old has led Detroit to the playoffs three times, but has failed to win a playoff game and hasn’t sniffed it since 2016.
However, give Stafford prolific running play, a solid offensive line, the kind of skillful talent the Broncos have, and a defensive-minded coach who could handle everything else, and the argument is that Stafford could pull it off. .
May be. Maybe not. It doesn’t matter what I think, though. This is how Paton sees Stafford who will determine how (and if) the Broncos participate in the draw.
Paton knows Stafford very well after competing against him as a staff executive for the Minnesota Vikings for 12 years in NFC North. This familiarity goes both ways, however. Paton has been close enough to Stafford to have developed the opinion that he is a franchise-caliber special QB who was wasted in Detroit, or, conversely, that he is a talent but does not have the authentic traits to raise all ships.
Time will tell us. NFL.com Tom Pelissero, who connected the Broncos to Stafford the same way King did, laid out the financial pitfalls that any interested party will have to agree to navigate to land the 13-year veteran.
Despite Stafford’s age and injury history, there will be a solid trading market if the Lions are willing to move him. He has two years and $ 43 million left on his contract – a great price for a quarterback who is still playing at a high level. Among others, the Broncos, Colts, Panthers, Patriots, Saints and Washington Football Team enter 2021 with important QB questions.
Any trade would likely take place before the fifth day of the 2021 league year in March, when Stafford is due to receive a $ 10 million bonus. The Lions would take $ 19 million in dead money over their salary cap in 2021, but a trade would save $ 14 million in cap space and $ 20 million in cash at a time when the Lions’ salary cap. NFL is expected to drop.
Conclusion
If the Lions were willing to accept a pair of second-round picks, or a 2021 second-round and Lock, in exchange for Stafford, it might be a deal Paton couldn’t turn down. This would allow Paton to keep his early laps and Lock a fresh start.
However, all I’ve heard is that the starting point for getting Lions listening is a first round pick. The higher this choice is in the draft order, the more willing the Lions will be to deal with Stafford. But it won’t stop there.
It will take a first and second round pick to land Stafford. I would be amazed if it ended up being anything less. And that cost would be prohibitive to such an extent that Paton might be much more inclined to take it back with Lock one … more … year.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.
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