Trey Lance: Denver Broncos 2021 NFL Draft target and how he fits
Cons
Obviously, the biggest concern for the 17 game starter is just that, he has only started 17 games, and they were in the FCS. Lance played against lesser talent, and players that will more than likely not be pursuing professional careers in the National Football League. It is also important to mention that North Dakota State is also considered a powerhouse in the FCS, meaning that the players that surrounded him typically would be the far superior athletes.
Along with his slate of games, there were times when it seemed Lance would be a little late on some of his throws. This would lead to throws behind placed behind his receivers, which would lead to interceptions in the NFL. Diagnosing what the reasoning was behind this is important, was it a matter of not being able to read the defense, or getting in his drop late? This wasn’t a constant error, but it did occur enough that it needed to be discussed.
From what I took from it, sometimes he would pre-diagnose a play before the snap and ultimately decide where he would want to go with the football. This could be a problem at the professional level, as the speed of the players is significantly higher, and if you are late in the NFL, you will pay.
Defenses in the NFL are also very complex, teams may show cover two pre-snap, with corners up in the receiver’s face ready to press, but they may bail at the snap and drop to cover three. Anticipating where you want to go with the ball is one thing, but not falling off of that option when it isn’t available is how you end up late and behind across the middle, which results in interceptions in the NFL.
Summary
In summation, the throw at the 4:20 mark of this game tape is ultimately why Trey Lance will be, and deservingly so, a top 10 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. This is an example of a “bucket throw.” Lance had an amazing deep ball and was very accurate when doing so. Not many quarterbacks can make the throw he made at the 4:20 mark. It was a very difficult catch for a receiver at the FCS level, but one that a professional should make every time.
My biggest concern in front of the Denver Broncos is the San Fransisco 49ers. While many have reported they like Mac Jones, I am just not buying that. Trey Lance in a scheme ran through Kyle Shanahan would be a match made in heaven.
For whatever reason, if Lance is passed on eight times, and I am first-year general manager George Paton, I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Trading up is a different scenario that would have to be determined by the cost analysis of what it would take to move up, that’s if he isn’t selected third overall.
According to the Gazette’s Columnist Woody Paige, the Broncos have called the Atlanta Falcons and expressed interest in trade up to four, and Paige speculated on what that could cost. Broncos Country Tonight’s insider Benjamin Albright did however say these claims were false, not that they wouldn’t happen, they just have not occurred to this day.
Trey Lance could be a franchise-altering quarterback if he reached his potential, which I would say would be in the ballpark of what Josh Allen represents for the Buffalo Bills. In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos passed on this type of talent in Allen, in favor of pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, and understandably so. If this opportunity presented itself again, would the Denver Broncos pull the trigger?
If Trey Lance is on the board at pick number 9, I would put all of my chips in on him being a part of the Mile High City.