The Broncos will have their entire rookie class ready to go when they convene for practice Thursday. After some drama, the team and Drew Lock reached an agreement on the second-round pick’s four-year deal, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets.
Set to conduct their first training camp practice Thursday morning, the Broncos now have their six-man draft class under contract. They signed No. 41 overall pick Dalton Risner on Tuesday and, after a report emerged about the No. 42 selection seeking a “quarterback premium,” will have Lock ready to go as well.
The Broncos did not give into any demands of an overslot deal, with Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic confirming the team gave Lock the same workout bonuses it did Risner (all Twitter links) and the $3.1MM signing bonus that comes with the No. 42 slot.
Lock poses as John Elway‘s third try to find Peyton Manning‘s long-term successor through the draft. Denver’s GM has gone through Brock Osweiler (2012 second round) and Paxton Lynch (2016 first round) and was long linked to being intrigued by the four-year Missouri starter. The fourth quarterback off the board this year, Lock will attempt to develop behind Joe Flacco.
“Obviously we’ve been looking for one since Peyton retired,” Elway said Wednesday of the Broncos’ quarterback situation (via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, on Twitter). “That’s always a difficult position to fill, but I finally feel pretty good about that position with where we are.”
A Kansas City, Mo, native, Lock concluded his Mizzou career with 99 touchdown passes — including 44 as a junior — and 12,193 yards. Flacco’s early work dissuaded the Broncos from using a first-round pick on a quarterback, but when Lock was still on the board in Round 2, the team decided to pull the trigger. This would seemingly take the Broncos out of the running for a 2020 QB investment, and given the rate at which highly drafted passers have begun their tenures as NFL starters, Lock starting at some point this season appears likely.
Only nine 2019 rookies remain unsigned. Here is the Broncos’ full rookie class:
- 1-20: Noah Fant, TE (Iowa): Signed
- 2-41: Dalton Risner, T (Kansas State): Signed
- 2-42: Drew Lock, QB (Missouri): Signed
- 3-71: Dre’Mont Jones, DT (Ohio State): Signed
- 5-156: Justin Hollins, LB (Oregon): Signed
- 6-187: Juwann Winfree, WR (Colorado): Signed
Welcome aboard Drew!
So did the Broncos cave or what?
[“The Broncos did not give into any demands of an overslot deal, with Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic confirming the team gave Lock the same workout bonuses it did Risner (all Twitter links) and the $3.1MM signing bonus that comes with the No. 42 slot.”]
Doesn’t appear so. Did you even read the article?
Did they pay the QB premium he was seeking?
Again, Mr. Robinson: aren’t rookie wages set in stone?
Why doesn’t your post explain
the rookie scale rules? Could the Broncos have done something “extra?” I’m very
curious and I don’t know
where to get this information.
Thanks!
Usually when unsigned rookies are holding out, its for the specific language in the contract regarding their guarantees. It usually relates to any remaining guaranteed money in the deal being voided because of off-the-field issues, suspensions, or maybe even weight clauses. Could also relate to how much money is guaranteed by certain dates. If I remember correctly, Leonard Fournette had his guarantees voided (due to the terms in his contract) because of his two suspensions (one in his rookie season and one last season).
OK thanks!
I would disagree that “Lock starting at some point this season appears likely”. All evidence points towards Flacco being the unquestioned starter and the Broncos have no motivation to start Lock unless Flacco gets injured.
Oh, he’ll get injured.
Or he will continue to be trash on most days, and mediocre on others, and they will quickly realize it’s better to see what Lock can do instead of wasting time w Joe.
Seems like the Broncos has all the leverage here. He was asking for more than a teammate that was selected ahead of him and a “quarterback premium.” Broncos basically said, rightly, “this is the contract, sign it or re-enter the draft next year and be lucky to get half as much”
Joe Overthrow had a great playoff run. But has been otherwise average thru out his career. He’s just a place holder till Lock is ready. Elway May of actually finally got the QB draft right. He’s done a pretty decent job drafting other then at the QB spot.
Cant wait to see which quarterback is there guys in next years draft.
I think Lock has to be followed by Stock and Barrel.
What a backfield that would be!