2021 NFL Draft: Alabama, Ohio State load up two-round mock draft
2021 NFL Draft 1st round: 9th pick
Scouting Report. QB. Trey Lance. player. 47. Pick Analysis. North Dakota State. 9
TRADE: Broncos trade 9th pick to Patriots for 15th pick, additional picks
The New England Patriots have to be one of the likeliest teams in the NFL to have a complete overhaul of their quarterback position in the 2021 offseason, but what will that look like?
For starters, the Patriots might try to bring in someone like veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to get the ship afloat and bridge the gap to a rookie.
That rookie could wind up being North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, one of the best athletes at the quarterback position in the past couple of draft classes.
Lance has a big arm and what he lacks in experience, he makes up for with talent and potential.
The fact that he started just 17 games at the college level will certainly give teams pause, but if the Patriots are able to keep their current offensive coaching staff in place, they definitely have implemented plenty of concepts that would work for Lance over the long haul during the 2020 season with Cam Newton starting.
Whatever NFL team drafts Lance is going to need a scheme that can cater to his obvious skills as a runner, but perhaps (significantly) less than he did at North Dakota State.
Lance is capable of winning from the pocket but how quick will his NFL transition be?
The Patriots need to do a little retooling of their roster in general, so having a player like Fitzpatrick to bridge the gap to Lance could get the Patriots into playoff contention in 2021 and allow Lance to take over a successful operation at some point shortly thereafter.