2021 NFL Draft: Patriots and other dark horse teams in quarterback market

6. Denver Broncos

The Broncos haven’t found any success trying to find a new franchise QB ever since Peyton Manning retired after winning Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season. It has been five years of an ongoing carousel at the position. The Broncos have started the most quarterbacks in that span — Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch to name a few. In 2019, they drafted Drew Lock to possibly be the answer.

He’s been inconsistent to say the least. He’s been the face of an attack who sits under No. 25 in the league in almost all major offensive categories including passing, scoring and total yards per game. Denver has plenty of young talent for their passing game with Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, and K.J. Hamler.

If Lock can’t deliver a breakout-year anytime soon, we might end up seeing a displeased John Elway elect to go with yet another QB in the early rounds of the draft. Also seeing young stars in the division like Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert shine may be impactful towards the decision the Broncos want to make.

7. New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees is about to retire after a legendary career. Once he rides off into the sunset, who will come after him? Taysom Hill is an option but, he’s more of a position-less, athletic player than full-time quarterback. Jameis Winston is a much better passer who also put up 5,000+ yards the last time he started a full season.

He can learn under the leadership of Brees, and make improvements to his game but, guaranteeing Winston or Hill as the Saints’ future is still up in the air. They’ll be sitting somewhere from 27-32 in the draft order but if a guy like Mac Jones is still on the board, you never know what they might do with that pick.