Las Vegas Raiders: One breakout player from each AFC West foe

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders congratulates quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos after the game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders congratulates quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos after the game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Broncos QB Drew Lock (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Broncos QB Drew Lock (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Las Vegas Raiders: One breakout player from each AFC West foe

Denver Broncos: Drew Lock

The larger media landscape might be just a bit too high on Drew Lock entering 2020, but it’s not a far fetched bet that the second-year quarterback could be Denver’s breakout player this season. After all, Lock did finish with a 4-1 record and an 89.7 passer rating, backed up with seven touchdown passes to just three interceptions. One of those victories did come at the expense of Derek Carr and the Raiders.

Helping Drew Lock’s stock is the additions on offense that John Elway brought in via free agency and the draft. Melvin Gordon joining Phillip Lindsay in the backfield gives Denver a solid one-two punch, and Courtland Sutton welcoming Jerry Jeudy alongside him gives Lock prime weapons in the passing attack.

The weapons are there, now its a question of whether Drew Lock can maximize those additions and elevate the team around him. Despite what fans may believe, Las Vegas would be smart to not write off Drew Lock and the improved Broncos offense in 2020.

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