‘Lock’ it in for Broncos

AS IF we didn’t get enough excitement over Thanksgiving with the Lions’ last-minute change at quarterback, fantasy football owners who are using Broncos on their squads are now officially put on notice.

According to reports, after spending the majority off the season on IR with a thumb injury, Denver’s 2019 first-round draft choice, Drew Lock, is expected to make his season debut in Week 13 against the Chargers.

Outside of a two-quarterback league, it seems unlikely Lock will be used as a fantasy starter, but the ripple effects from the change under center could have a significant impact as people fight for a playoff spot.

If you have been using either Phillip Lindsay or Royce Freeman, the switch to Lock is actually a positive. When the Broncos made the switch from Joe Flacco to Brandon Allen, who was never considered a strong passer, heavy blitz packages and run-stuffing game plans were implemented.

Freeman’s touches took a dramatic decrease and Lindsay’s targets all but dried up. The two have combined for just one touchdown with Allen.

Things should change, though, even if the Chargers implement a similar defensive game plan. Their defense lacks a strong run-stopper up the middle, which should help open up better running lanes. But more importantly, Lock seems to have more poise when standing in the pocket and will have the good sense to check-down to Lindsay while staring down pass-rushers like Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. The Chargers have been burned on numerous occasions when their passrushers over-commit.

You should expect the Chargers to stack the box early to force Denver to rely on the pass, but that shouldn’t be much of an issue. We should see a nice balance between the run and the pass with resurgent stats from Lindsay, Freeman, as well as Courtland Sutton Sutton and Noah Fant. Chemistry takes time to develop, but this group will get off to a great start.