NFL Draft Mock 5.0: Two-round mock, post-free agency

The Broncos have a quarterback with starting experience in Joe Flacco, but if that’s the kindest thing you can say about a quarterback, then you need to keep sifting through the market. That’s what the Broncos have done this offseason; they’ve met with multiple quarterback prospects, including Drew Lock, who they’ve met with several times.

Early on in the NFL Draft process, Lock seems to be the favorite of John Elway, and it’s the closest Elway has come to a “hit” in the NFL Draft. Lock has undeniable arm talent and athleticism, and his infectious personality makes him a desirable leader for any 53-man roster. His footwork needs a complete overhaul, but if it can be fixed, Lock can be the best quarterback out of this class. I wrote as such in an NFL Draft profile of Lock earlier in the year:

"With his inconsistency, Lock relates [somewhat] to Jay Cutler as a prospect, in some aspects. But when his fundamentals check out, Lock is perhaps more accurate than Cutler, and his arm is more elastic. Lock’s mentality also factors into the equation. While Cutler was labeled as hard to work with at times, Lock has shown at every juncture that he’s the kind of quarterback you want leading your team. As a leader, he helped turn around a Missouri football program reeling from boycott and underperformance, bringing them back to a bowl game in his final two seasons as starter. At the Senior Bowl, Lock’s charismatic, yet thoughtful personality was placed under the spotlight, and off of limited encounters, he seems like the type of quarterback who would respond well to coaching and constructive criticism. Combine his mentality with his undeniable physical talents, and he could have the highest upside in the 2019 class. Mentally, Lock may have some refinement to do. But make no mistake; he’s a smart quarterback. Bad habits are limiting his development, and if they can be broken, Lock can be the best quarterback out of this class."

Lock would fare best in a situation where he isn’t required to start right away, and in Denver, that precious time is what Lock would be afforded. He’d be able to sit behind Joe Flacco for however long it takes for him to fix his mechanics, soaking in knowledge along the way. It’s a less direct path to a franchise quarterback, but for Elway, it could be the end of a long, arduous search.