Matthew Stafford listed the Rams at the top of his roster, but Mike Klis of 9News notes that longtime Lions full-back has approved the Broncos as a landing spot. And the teams reached the presentation phase in their talks.
While the Lions eventually accepted the offer from the Rams who opted around two preferences, they have an interest in both choices and players from the Broncos. The Lions were interested in sending Stafford to Denver because of the Broncos’ no. 9 overall choice, per Klis, adding that Detroit’s new regime is also interested in some of Denver’s young offensive talents.
It is not known which of the Broncos receivers entering a rookie contract appealed to the Lions, but Klis adds Drew Lock appeared in these conversations. Lock comes out of a substantially conflicting season, but is committed to a second-round deal that runs until 2022. The Lions took back Jared Goffwhich enabled them to collect more trade compensation from the Rams due to the heavy contract of the former no. 1-overall pick, but will only add a third round to their draft arsenal.
Several proposals came up during the Denver-Detroit talks, but Klis tweets none of the Broncos’ pitches were at the level of the Rams offer. Both the Broncos and the Lions have new GMs in George Paton and Brad Holmes, and the teams would have compared on a wide receiver – where the Broncos have three expansions in the first or second round and the Lions Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones on the point of free agency. It is unclear whether Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton or KJ Hamler Paton turned up in these trade talks, but Paton eventually refused to participate in the bundle of young talents he inherited.
Stafford was a clear QB upgrade for the Broncos, who have been having issues ever since Peyton Manningsee resignation. With Deshaun Watson since they are not yet connected to Denver, the prospect of the Broncos again offering a QB room with a lock is definitely in play. Before John ElwayWith the retirement, the Broncos apparently aimed a veteran to compete with Lock. Paton who is not linked to Lock may also point out that the Broncos are more strongly considering using the overall number 9 on a quarterback.
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