Trey Lance: ‘I wouldn’t bet my career on him’ says former NFL GM
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance might be the most controversial player pegged to go in the first round of next month’s 2021 NFL Draft. And for former NFL general manager Randy Mueller, Lance is a risk that he would not be prepared to make in the first round of the draft.
Lance is largely mocked in the mid-point of the first round, with the Denver Broncos at No. 9 and the San Francisco 49ers three selections later the earliest mock point for the quarterback.
Lance was outstanding in 2019, with 2,786 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions. And with no FCS regular season this past fall, scouts will be scouring his singular appearance against Central Arkansas for hints of how he can make the jump to the NFL.
What former GM has to say on Trey Lance
Mueller, a former general manager of the New Orleans Saints and the Miami Dolphins, isn’t sold on Lance being one of the first quarterbacks off the board.
"“I guess I’ve been a decision-maker too long – if you’re asking me to feed my family for 10 years I don’t think Trey Lance is that option,” Mueller told FanSided’s ‘With the First Pick.’“Not to say he’s not going to get there at some point but based on the body of work, I’m guessing someone will make but I’m not sure many will. There are questions about the level of competition he faced and he’s going to take time. It might make sense for a team that has a veteran starting quarterback looking to the future.”"
Part of the questions about Lance revolves around competition since he competed at an FCS program. But his one game this past year against Central Arkansas – essentially an audition for NFL scouts and evaluators – didn’t exactly showcase the quarterback.
In a 39-28 win over Central Arkansas, Lance was 15-of-30 for 149 yards with two passing touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked three times. He also had 143 rushing yards on 15 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
The athleticism is certainly there but Lance will have to answer critics with his arms if he’d like to solidify himself as a selection in the top half of the first round. As for his top quarterbacks in the draft, Mueller doesn’t have Lance factoring in at this point.
"“For me, it is a three-player deal with Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and, Justin Fields,” Mueller said."
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The highly-respected Mueller got his start as a pro personnel assistant with the Seattle Seahawks, eventually working his way to becoming vice president of football operations with the organization. He then spent two seasons with the New Orleans Saints as their general manager before taking on the same role for three years with the Miami Dolphins beginning in 2005.
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘With The First Pick‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer