It’s official. Matthew Stafford, quarterback for Detroit Lions, is officially on the market – the former number one overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Although this news does not ignite the NFL world in the same way as the trade rumors surrounding the current Houston’s 25-year-old QB Deshaun Watson does not turn up, Stafford is one of the most intriguing veteran options available in the last few seasons.
Two of the better concept analysts out there The draft network Kyle Crabbs and Joe Marino. On them The Draft Dudes podcast, Kyle and Joe discussed how it would not be important for the Denver Broncos to trade for Stafford, and rather discussed what the fair cost would be to get the quarterback. Here is the core (listen to 32: 23-35: 01).
“It’s a one (first player), and a player, and a player,” Crabbs said.
“One, Drew Lock, DaeSean Hamilton, and a two (second player)?” Vra Marino.
“Yes,” Crabbs said. ‘And the reason for this was [Stafford’s] he turns 33 this season, he is under contract for the next two seasons; you have an extensive runway beyond that. If he continues to play well, expand him and keep him under contract. It’s not just a one year payout. Financially, you pay him $ 43 million over two years for a man who is in the top 10 physical talent in the position. ‘
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The Stafford-to-Denver Argument
The proposed package to acquire Stafford The Draft Dudes was somewhat achieved, indicating that Denver the choices no. 9, 40, a second player from 2022, Drew Lock, had to trade and wye DaeSean Hamilton. Marino and Crabbs compared this projected trading offer for Stafford to what Denver ordered in 2009 for Jay Cutler in the infamous trade with the Chicago Bears.
The biggest warning they missed, however, was that Stafford would turn 33, while Cutler was just 25 years old when the Broncos relinquished him in Chicago. Of course, Stafford is a more well-known and proven commodity, but the age difference is significant.
The trade with which a Stafford-to-Denver scenario had to be discussed was the trade in Cincinnati-Oakland by Carson Palmer, who sent a first and second round to the Bengals in 2011.
The Ask for Stafford: A Pretty Penny
If Denver really wants to compete in the Stafford trade market, the Broncos will no doubt have to be willing to participate in the overall number 9. Some may say it costs too much, but that’s just the reality of the situation for a quarterback like Stafford, given his talent, years he still has and his contract.
Except for the first time, it’s likely to take a day 2 pick this year and a starting caliber talent. While the ‘Draft Dudes’ suggested Hamilton, I would think that Tim Patrick would be a more interesting option in light of the arid wasteland that is the Lions’ wide reception room entering this season.
There are rumors that the team, with the capital the Lions will eventually get for Stafford, will try to pack the trade and pick the overall number 7 to be aggressive and move up for a quarter. While Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence will be off the table, no doubt one of BYU’s Zach Wilson, North Dakota STate’s Trey Lance or Ohio area’s Justin Fields will be within reach.
These rumors suggest that adding Lock to a prospective trading package is nothing more than a lottery ticket in the eyes of the Lions. Upside down? Certainly, but not in the same vein as the perceived front of the top QB outlook in this draft class.
Allure of Stafford’s characteristics
At the age of 33, Stafford is no spring chicken at all, but he still has 3-8 years of good play in the tank. He is currently in the series of the top 8 to 12 most talented QBs in the NFL.
While the ‘QBWinz’ crowd will point to the Lions’ winning / loss record over the course of his career, the nuanced view of Stafford’s tenure should include an understanding of his circumstances in Detroit. Whether it’s the incredible series of absolutely awful defense or the lack of a running game to dictate defenders in the field, there’s no doubt that the Lions have historically done an awful job around Stafford with a capable roster year in and out. years out. Maybe it’s not surprising for a team that squandered things like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, but I’m deviating.
The final question
The Broncos are consistently linked with quarterbacks through the early stages of this season, probably largely due to the NFL’s overall perception of Lock. In the top five position in very important categories, achieving the back-to-back seasons with a time-consuming injury, and with only two years left of contractual control over the former second round, Denver is by no means ‘married’. to close.
Those who are close to the situation may cry out for patience and more time, and consider the circumstances surrounding the Lock situation to be ‘not fair’, but put simply, the league is not fair. You overcome adversity or disappear in the annals of time.
These are the interruptions in the NFL. It will never be fair. Honestly or not, Lock did not do enough to make a indisputable starting spot for the Broncos in 2021. As the kids say, “these are the breaks.”
Paton would be remiss not to call Detroit
The merits of whether Stafford’s new GM George Paton should appeal to him or not are beyond doubt. Stafford would be an upgrade in the quarterback position, giving the Broncos a top-12 signal caller, surrounded by an insane level of talent, albeit young on the offensive side of the ball. However, the more important questions you need to ask, what are the costs? And is the cost worth it?
It would require some sort of bias (if not cognitive dissonance) to suggest that Paton should not pick up the phone and call to purchase Stafford’s charges. It remains to be seen whether Paton will be willing to part with a decent amount of draft capital in a market filled with teams that are absolutely desperate for a quarterback this year, such as the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Football Team and New England. Patriot.
It will all come down to what the Broncos of Stafford, the current team, Lock, think, and what gives this team the best chance to compete in the attacking juggernaut that has become the AFC West.
Follow Nick on Twitter @NickKendellMHH and @MileHighHuddle.