5 players who Denver Broncos need to be great in 2020

Denver Broncos, Drew Lock, #3 (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos, Drew Lock, #3 (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Credit: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Credit: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images /

1. QB Drew Lock

Lock’s 4-1 run as the starter to end his rookie season obscures some numbers that weren’t all great, and a split that is cause for pessimism.

First two starts: 72.3 percent completion rate, 5 touchdowns, 2 INT, 111.4 passer rating; 8.1 yards per attempt, 8.2 adjusted yards per attempt
Last three starts: 59.4 percent completion rate, 2 TD, 1 INT, 77.9 passer rating, 5.7 yards per attempt, 5.7 adjusted yards per attempt

The first of those last three starts came in a snow game against the Chiefs on the road. But the following two were against the Raiders and Lions’ bottom tier pass defenses, and Lock didn’t get to 200 yards in either of them.

Lock is learning another new offense, his fourth in four years dating back to college, with the underappreciated Pat Shurmur coming in as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator

Lock said he welcomes higher expectations, and he’s picking up the offense quickly in this virtual offseason.

"There’s similar carry-over from the last one to where you can pocket that. You don’t necessarily have to study that as much because you’ve kind of already got that mindset down and know what they’re talking about as far as older stuff. But even the newer stuff I’m getting taught, it’s easier for me to learn because I’ve found the way that fits me best, as far as learning a new offense goes. Picking this one up has happened a little [faster] — I’d say, 10 times as quick as I did the first time."

Lock already had an emerging star at wide receiver in Courtland Sutton, a young tight end in Noah Fant and a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher in Phillip Lindsay. The talent around him has been upgraded, with running back Melvin Gordon signed in free agency and wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler taken with the first two picks in the draft. Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, Lock’s college teammate at Missouri, was added in the fourth round of the draft.

The stars have been put in line for Lock to take a significant step in his second season, and his first full season as the starter, as the Broncos move to keep up with the explosive offense in Kansas City. If he’s up to the task, there will be evidence John Elway has finally landed a capable young quarterback.