NFL draft: Broncos wait until second round to take a QB, get Missouri's Drew Lock
For most of the pre-draft process, Drew Lock to the Denver Broncos at No. 10 was a popular opinion.
The Broncos got the Missouri quarterback, even though it took a lot longer than expected.
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The Broncos used a second-round pick on Lock, No. 42 overall, getting that pick in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. They did so right after taking Kansas State offensive lineman Dalton Risner at No. 41.
It’s a little strange to take an offensive lineman before your quarterback of the future, but what about the Broncos’ pursuit of a quarterback in the post-Peyton Manning era has been conventional?
What does this mean for Joe Flacco?
For the second straight year, Flacco has to deal with a new rookie quarterback behind him.
Last year, the Baltimore Ravens picked Louisville’s Lamar Jackson with the last pick of the first round. A midseason injury to Flacco opened the door for Jackson to start, and he never gave up the job. Flacco was then traded to the Broncos in the offseason.
While there’s far less pressure to get a second-round quarterback on the field than there is with one drafted in the first round, people in Denver will be keeping a very close eye on Lock, especially if Flacco struggles.
Drew Lock was considered a first-round possibility
Many thought Lock, a four-year starter at Missouri, could have gone in the first round.
Last year Lock was named second-team all-SEC. He threw for 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Notably, he improved his accuracy, posting a career-high 62.9 completion percentage. He has a strong arm and is great throwing the deep ball, which makes him a lot like Flacco and the general manager who drafted him, John Elway.
The Broncos have tried a lot of different ways to find a permanent quarterback since Manning retired after Super Bowl 50. Perhaps they found it in the second round of this year’s draft.
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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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