Chicago Bears 2021 Draft: NDSU QB Trey Lance Scouting Report

The Chicago Bears 2021 draft plans are a long way from being put together. So much still needs to happen between now and then. Will Ryan Pace still be the GM? Will Matt Nagy still be the head coach? Those are questions that need answering before one can even think about the roster itself and rest assured there are areas that will need attention. Yet everybody knows what's coming. That offseason will be all about discussing the quarterback position. Mitch Trubisky is in the process of fighting for his life as a starter. He no doubt hopes he can put together a good enough year to earn a contract extension. His first game didn't really provide answers. He was awful for three quarters but found enough magic to escape Detroit with an outstanding 4th. The Bears have 15 games left to evaluate him, or Nick Foles if he ends up falling apart. Many fans can already predict the outcome. In their minds, this team will be quarterback hunting once again next spring. If so, then Trey Lance of North Dakota State might be a name they consider. What does he offer?

Chicago Bears 2021 Draft look at Trey Lance

Strengths:

• Size won't be a concern. At 6'3, 225 lbs he has the proper body to survive an NFL schedule.
• Athleticism is a core part of his game. Not just a guy who will extend plays. He can legitimately take off and run.
• Accuracy isn't a huge problem. Shows an ability to fit the ball into tight windows down the field.
• Shows good poise under pressure. Doesn't let his eyes drop and delivers the ball on target even when hit.
• Arm strength is rock solid. He can deliver the ball with velocity at all levels of the field and won't need playbooks restricted because of him.

https://twitter.com/JReidNFL/status/1265075649011687426 This showcases Lance at his best. He is lethal off play action. He can either run a bootleg out using his legs or this case uncork a deep ball with excellent accuracy down the field. It also shows his ability to work under center and play with his back to the defense. Something that isn't always prevalent in quarterbacks from that level.

• Ability to throw on the run. Ball placement is there when he delivers on the move.
• Does an outstanding job protecting the football. Zero interceptions his entire 2019 season for NDSU.
• Already has extensive work under center. Has no problem playing with his back to the line of scrimmage.
• Deceptively strong. Defenders had a hard time bringing him down with just one tackle attempt.

Weaknesses:

• Processor feels a bit slow. When defenses have good coverage, he sometimes struggles getting beyond his first read.
• Not always decisive when turning the ball loose. Can be a split-second late on when to throw to the open man.
• Wasn't asked to throw a lot in any games. Team leaned heavily on his legs, which won't fly in the NFL.
• Still relatively inexperienced. Only started one season. Has thrown just 288 passes in his college career.
• The level of competition is a point of argument. Has feasted on FCS-level teams as part of a dominant program that was winning long before he got there.

Pro comparison: Geno Smith

Let this be made clear. This is about skillset. Not what the likely outcome of a player's career will be. Smith was highly productive at West Virginia. He had all the tools from size to mobility and arm strength. Accuracy was a bit streaky but fine for the most part. The big questions with him were could he learn the advanced parts of the position? That meant processing complex coverages, quickly going through progressions, and making adjustments at the line of scrimmage? Smith failed. Lance will face those same questions.

Projection: 1st Round

Odds are interviews will play a big part in this. Lance should present no problems in that department. Combined with his obvious physical gifts, there will be a number of teams willing to take a chance on him despite the lack of experience and not having really played top tier competition in his college career. He feels like a true boom-or-bust prospect. He could end up being a star or a major disappointment.