Colin Cowherd calls Drew Lock a dark horse candidate for 2020 NFL MVP
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.”
For every Patrick Mahomes 2nd year surge there’s a Baker Mayfield 2nd year disappointment. Cowherd is 99% noise, and 1% news. The Bronco’s did do a good job of focusing on putting better pieces around Lock than what they had there but there’s no reason to expect more than just steady progress. If you get more than steady progress great, but these new skill guys are going need some time to settle in to the NFL and as we all know, circumstances this summer has already put them behind the 8-ball in that regard.
This whole argument by Colin Cowherd is like someone trying to say Newman wont work out transferring into the SEC because it didn’t work out for Kelly Bryant. Never mind Joe Burrow who transferred in and had no problem, he doesn’t count. Pick one or two guys who fit your argument and ignore the ones who don’t. It just doesn’t work that way, everyone is different and every situation is different and it’s just too easy to find just as many who were the opposite. What Mahomes, or Wentz, or Jackson did will have no bearting on Lock. Different people, different teams, different situations. It’s just too hard to make comparison’s like that and have them hold any water.
Funny how all these experts never mention the offensive line. Only the skill people.
THANK YOU!!!
I’ve seen some people start selling stock on Drew Lock saying they saw some things from his playing last year that they didn’t like. I mean… he was a rookie who missed time due to injury, and he did really well despite that. I think he’s gonna be really good. Maybe not MVP good, but really good.
I think Drew Lock his the talent/potential to have a great year, but there are a hell of a lot of factors that will help determine how well he does. This article is seeing the light of day simply because there is not much else to write about now.
Maybe, but Drew deserves some good vibes after falling in the draft, then getting hosed by Flacco and Fangio to the media.
Can’t argue with you there.