3 realistic Drew Lock trades the Broncos could make
By John Buhler
Minnesota Vikings. 1. player. NFC. Pick Analysis. North. 60. Scouting Report
Kirk Cousins has a connection with new general manager George Paton
This may not be the trade that gets Broncos Country super fired up, but it is the one most likely to happen. Denver could trade Lock and the No. 9 overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings for two-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins. These two proud football organizations have a ton of overlap, whether that is with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur or new Broncos general manager George Paton.
While Cousins never played for Shurmur in Minneapolis, the Vikings have done a great job of promoting from within on its offensive coaching staff in recent years. This includes guys like Kevin Stefanski, Gary Kubiak and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The latter two have deep history in Broncos Country. The elder Kubiak backed up John Elway and won a Super Bowl in 2015.
As with the Jets and the Texans, Lock could be the Week 1 starter while the 2021 first-round pick adapts to the NFL game. Minnesota would have two first-round picks after this trade: No. 9 from the Broncos and their own at No. 14. This would put them in the draft range to select Davey O’Brien winner Mac Jones out of Alabama or native son Trey Lance out of North Dakota State.
Minnesota could take either Jones or Lance around that time, or the Vikings may put together a package deal to move up into the top six to see if they can get Justin Fields out of Ohio State or Zach Wilson out of BYU. There is a chance Minnesota could roll with Lock and use that No. 9 overall pick to get him another high-end talent in the draft who could make an immediate impact.
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Overall, the Broncos are more likely to stick with Lock for another year than to trade him this offseason. However, if they do choose to move on from him, the Broncos would need to do this before the 2021 NFL Draft. That No. 9 overall pick is such a crucial trade asset. It could help the Broncos pry Watson away from Houston or Cousins away from Minnesota. Denver has options.
What NFL teams could be in the market to trade for Lock with the Broncos ahead of the draft?