The 2021 NFL Draft is just over a week away as excitement surrounds the football world. It’s always fun projecting and speculating which prospect will end up where.
Several quarterbacks are expected to be selected in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft on April 29, including North Dakota State’s Trey Lance. Scouts barely saw any of him in college, as Lance only started in 16 regular-season games and one showcase game during his time at the school. Still, he managed to impress in that limited window. Lance finished at North Dakota State with 2,786 passing yards and 28 touchdowns to zero interceptions. He was also a force in the run game, racking up 1,182 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2020 alone.
Lance is projected to go somewhere in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, meaning that a lot of teams could be after his services. According to Bovada, it’s likely that he’ll end up with either the Denver Broncos or San Francisco 49ers at +300 odds.
The Broncos will begin the 2021 NFL Draft with the No. 9 pick and there’s a good shot at them taking Lance in that spot. Fortunately for a run specialist like him, the Broncos love running the ball. In 2020, the team averaged 119.9 rushing yard per game (11th) and that number could increase with Lance in the mix.
The San Francisco 49ers could also take Lance at the 2021 NFL Draft at No. 3. However, they’ll have more options to choose from as only Trevor Lawrence and probably Zach Wilson will be off the board by then. While the odds look good, the 49ers could wind up with someone like Mac Jones or Justin Fields instead.
Which Team Will Select Trey Lance at the 2021 NFL Draft?
Odds via Bovada as of Wednesday, April 21
- Denver Broncos (+300)
- San Francisco 49ers (+300)
- Atlanta Falcons (+500)
- New England Patriots (+500)
- Washington Football Team (+800)
- Carolina Panthers (+900)
- Chicago Bears (+1000)
Full odds list available at Bovada.lv.
Could Falcons Take Lance at No. 4?
One of the more interesting stories heading into the 2021 NFL Draft happens to be the Atlanta Falcons (+500) with the No. 4 pick. A lot of experts and mock drafts project the Falcons take Florida TE Kyle Pitts 4th overall, which wouldn’t be a bad decision considering the team runs the most multiple tight end sets in the league.
On the other hand, QB Matt Ryan isn’t getting any younger. He’s turning 36 years old next month and there’s no telling how long he has left in the NFL. The Falcons could opt to take Lance at the 2021 NFL Draft and build their future around him. There’s also no telling when the Falcons will be in the spot to draft a potential franchise quarterback, so they may have to make it happen.
Patriots Looking for Quarterback at 2021 NFL Draft
The New England Patriots (+500) had an uncharacteristically bad season in 2020, their first in a long time without Tom Brady. The Patriots finished with a 7-9-0 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Now, the team has made offseason moves to compete again, however, they’re without a quarterback of the future. Cam Newton remains their starter, but he’s not the signal-caller he once was.
The Patriots currently have the No. 15 pick, but a lot of people have theorized them moving up to take a quarterback.
It’s already been confirmed that the organization sent a heavy presence to observe Lance at his pro day, meaning they’re considering the possibility. Plus, who would be better to mentor Lance than Bill Belichick? If he can build up Lance as he did Brady, the league could soon fear the Patriots again.
