It’s official. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is officially on the market, the former No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft. While this news doesn’t set the NFL world on fire in the same way as commercial rumors. revolving around the current (current) Deshaun Watson, 25, in Houston, Stafford is one of the most intriguing veteran options to be available in recent seasons.
There are two of the best draft analysts out there The Draft Network Kyle Crabbs and Joe Marino. On his Draft types the podcast, Kyle and Joe, discussed how it would be obvious for the Denver Broncos to switch to Stafford and instead discussed what the fair cost of getting the quarterback would be. Here’s the quid (listen at 32: 23-35: 01).
“This is a (first round), and selections, and a player,” Crabbs said.
“One, Drew Lock, DaeSean Hamilton and a two (second round)?” Marino asked.
“Yes,” Crabbs said. “And the reason is [Stafford’s] this season will be 33 years old, he has a contract for the next two seasons and you will have an extended track beyond. If you keep playing well, expand it and keep it contracted. This is not just a one-year reward. Financially, you pay him $ 43 million in two years for a guy with physical talent in the top ten. ”
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The plot for Stafford in Denver
The proposed package to acquire Stafford Draft types was a bit out of reach, suggesting Denver should change picks number 9, 40, a second round of 2022, Drew Lock, i ample DaeSean Hamilton. Marino and Crabbs compared this commercial offer projected by Stafford to what Denver sent to Jay Cutler in the famous trade with the Chicago Bears in 2009.
However, the big warning they lost was that Stafford will be 33, while Cutler was only 25 when the Broncos moved him to Chicago. Viously, obviously, Stafford is a better known and proven product, but the age difference is substantial.
The trade that should be compared when discussing a Stafford scenario in Denver was the Cincinnati-Oakland trade of Carson Palmer, who sent first and second rounders to Bengals in 2011.
The Ask for Stafford: A Pretty Penny
If Denver really wants to participate in the Stafford commercial market, there is no doubt that the Broncos will have to be willing to participate in the No. 9 general election. Some may say that this is too high a cost, but this is just the Reality of the situation for a quarterback like Stafford given his talent, years of play and contract.
Beyond that first round, a selection for the second day is likely to be made this year i a first-rate talent. While the “Draft Dudes” suggested Hamilton, I would think Tim Patrick would be a more interesting commercial chip, given the wasteland that is the Lions ’spacious reception hall entering this off-season.
It is rumored that with the capital the Lions will ultimately receive for Stafford, the team will try to pack the trade and the No. 7 overall team to be aggressive and rise to a quarterback. While Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence will be off the table, no doubt one of BYU’s Zach Wilson, North Dakota’s Trey Lance or Ohio State’s Justin Fields will be within reach.
These rumors suggest that adding Lock to a possible commercial package can be nothing more than a lottery ticket thrown in the eyes of lions. Other way round? Of course, but not in the same realm as the perceived positive of QB’s best prospects in this class project.
Charming Stafford attributes
At 33 soon, Stafford is no spring chicken, but he still has 3-8 years of good game left in the tank. He is currently within the most talented QB range of 8-12 in the NFL.
While the people at ‘QBWinz’ will mark the Lions ’record of gains / losses throughout their career, the nuanced view of Stafford’s tenure should include an understanding of his circumstances in Detroit. Whether it’s Detroit’s incredible series of absolutely horrible defenses or the lack of a running game that helps dictate defenders in the box, there’s no doubt the Lions have historically done a horrible job surrounding Stafford with a roster. competent year after year. It may not be surprising for a team that wasted people like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, but I digress.
The blocking question
The Broncos are continually tied to the quarterbacks during the early stages of this offseason, probably in large part due to Lock’s overall perception of the NFL. Positioning in the top 5 in many major categories, coming out of consecutive seasons with a costly injury and only two years of contractual control over the former second-round pick, Denver is not “married” in any way. close.
People close to the situation may ask for patience and more time, denouncing the circumstances surrounding Lock’s situation as “unfair,” but the league is not fair. Either you overcome adversity or you disappear in the annals of time.
These are the breaks in the NFL. It will never be fair. Right or wrong, Lock hasn’t done enough to justify one unquestionable starting place for the Broncos in 2021. As the children say, “they are the breaks.”
Paton would stop not calling Detroit
The merit of whether Denver’s new GM, George Paton, should turn to Stafford is indisputable. Stafford would be an improvement in the quarterback position, giving the Broncos a signal call in the top 12, surrounded by a level of senseless, albeit young, talent on the offensive side of the ball. The most important questions to ask, however, are, what will the cost be? And is it worth this cost?
It would require some sort of bias (if not cognitive dissonance) to suggest that Paton not pick up the phone and call to check on Stafford’s acquisition cost. It remains to be seen if Paton will be willing to part with a good amount of capital in a market full of absolutely desperate teams for a quarterback this year like the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Football Team and New England Patriots.
It will all come down to what the Broncos think about Stafford, the current squad, Lock, and what gives this team the best chance to compete in the offensive juggler who has become the AFC West.
Follow Nick on Twitter @NickKendellMHH i @MileHighHuddle.