Colin Cowherd calls Drew Lock a dark horse candidate for 2020 NFL MVP
By SDS Staff
Published:
After a long wait, in December, former Missouri QB Drew Lock got to show what he could do as the Denver Broncos’ signal-caller. Lock appeared in just 5 games but impressed and, this offseason, the club built around him by boosting his supporting cast. In recent years, the NFL has seen second-year surges from quarterbacks. FOX Sports 1 host Colin Cowherd thinks it is Lock’s turn for a second-year surge. Cowherd recently made his case for why Lock should be considered a dark horse MVP candidate for the 2020 season.
Cowherd started his case by pointing out the last two MVPs were second-year quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Cowherd included Carson Wentz in the discussion, arguing Wentz was on track to winning the MVP before getting injured.
“So let’s go to Mahomes’, Wentz’s, and Lamar Jackson’s rookie-year stats,” Cowherd said. “Mahomes played in one game, no touchdowns, a pick, 76 quarterback rating. That was Mahomes’ rookie year. He then won the MVP, so he did nothing in his rookie year. Carson Wentz’s rookie year, 16 touchdowns, 14 picks, a 79 passer rating. Barely completed 62 percent of his throws. The following year, leading candidate MVP until he got hurt. Lamar Jackson’s first year in the league—6 touchdowns, 3 picks, 58 completion percentage, struggled completing passes, passer rating 84. They all made massive jumps to year two—to not just be good players, to be MVPs. Like, the most valuable player in the league. So go to Drew Lock’s rookie year, like Lamar Jackson, doesn’t get a chance until late. His numbers: over a 2-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, 7 TDs, 3 picks, 64 percent completion rate—better than Mahomes, better than Wentz, better than Jackson. And his quarterback rating, rounded up, to 90. He’s got better (rookie) stats than all of them.”
“And Denver, because of smart drafting, has two good running backs, three excellent young receivers, and I believe a Pro Bowl-potential tight end—and a defensive coach that keeps them in every game,” Cowherd said.
After laying out his case, Cowherd circled back to his conclusion. Lock is the player who will “pop” in his second-year and have an MVP season leading a championship contender.
“I think he’s a huge talent and that’s why I’ve said this year, you know in the NFL, somebody’s going to win a division and we’re going to be shocked. Don’t be shocked if Denver beats Kansas City.”
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
