Report: GM George Paton will attend North Dakota State’s pro day to watch quarterback Trey Lance

According to reports, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton will attend the North Dakota pro day to watch/scout quarterback prospect Trey Lance. He’s projected to go in the top 10 of the 2021 NFL Draft and be one of the top quarterbacks selected as well.

Trey Lance is a 6’3”, 224lbs quarterback who is one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s one of the more athletically gifted quarterbacks in the entire 2021 NFL Draft.

According to The Draft Network, he’s ranked as the 4th best quarterback prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft and the 25th overall prospect in the entire draft.

Trey Lance has aligned in the pistol, the gun, and has shown the ability to run the offense from under center. He plays the position with good athleticism, as evidenced by his ability to get out of the pocket and extend plays with his legs. Even within the pocket, his mobility and footwork seemed to have developed. Because he is a threat to move the chains with his legs, he needs to be accounted for in the zone-read game. As a passer, he seems to be able to generate velocity on his throws, which is critical for playing in the elements. He has also shown some touch and accuracy down the field on his deep throws. He needs to continue to develop the subtle nuances of the position to continue to maximize his natural talent as a passer.

Meanwhile, NFL Network’s draft expert Daniel Jeremiah ranks Lance as his 11th best prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft and ranks him as 3rd best quarterback in the entire draft.

Lance has a thick/sturdy frame for the quarterback position. He only started 17 games at North Dakota State, but there is plenty to get excited about. He split his time between under center and in the shotgun. He plays with excellent patience and poise, taking what the defense gives him. He rarely puts the ball in jeopardy (he didn’t throw an interception until his final collegiate game). He shows the ability to change ball speed and trajectory underneath, while also displaying the velocity to fit the ball into tight windows on intermediate throws. His deep-ball accuracy needs to improve, though. He has a bad habit of sinking his weight before he throws, which impacts his placement. He is very strong in the pocket, routinely shrugging off rushers and creating plays. He is ultra-competitive on designed QB runs, displaying build-up speed and power. Lance is going to need time to develop, but I’m going to bet on his skill set, competitiveness and decision-making.

This is intriguing because the Broncos haven’t been really connected to any of the top quarterback prospects as of yet, so this is the first of likely many similar reports. We know of their apparent and reported interest in Deshaun Watson and other veterans so it does make sense for them to do their homework on the top quarterbacks in the draft.

Lance is probably the biggest boom/bust quarterback prospect in the draft. He has immense potential, but only limited playing time in college and has a ways to go as a prospect. He may not be day one ready, but his athleticism will get him on the field sooner rather than later. He possesses a cannon of an arm, a thick build, and plus athleticism which are all traits you look for in a franchise quarterback.

With the Broncos picking 9th overall, there is a chance that Lance could fall to them, but with quarterback-needy teams like the Falcons, Panthers, Lions, and so on ahead of them, it’s probably unlikely that he’ll make it there.