DJ with HIGH praise for Trey Lance.
https://www.nfl.com/news/scouting-trey-lance-north-dakota-state-qb-similar-to-andrew-luck
When it comes to developing NFL quarterbacks, a few schools jump to the front of my mind: USC, Oklahoma and North Dakota State. Wait, what? Yes, North Dakota State! The Bison have dominated the FCS for the last decade, and their two previous starting quarterbacks emerged as NFL draft picks. After being selected No. 2 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, Carson Wentz has emerged as a top-tier NFL starter. His successor at NDSU, Easton Stick, was picked by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. I believe their current starter, Trey Lance, has the potential to be the best of the bunch. Here's my scouting report on the redshirt sophomore.
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 224 pounds (school measurements).
2019 statistics: 192 of 287 (66.9 percent) for 2,786 yards, 28 TDs and 0 INTs; 169 carries for 1,100 yards (6.5 average), 14 TDs.
Game tape watched: Delaware (Sept. 14, 2019), UC Davis (Sept. 21, 2019), Nicholls (Dec. 7, 2019).
- Poise: This is the most important trait for a quarterback, in my opinion. How do you perform when under pressure or in critical moments? When everything around you speeds up, do you have the ability to slow down and remain calm? Lance never looks rattled. He calmly and smoothly sidesteps pocket pressure while keeping his eyes downfield. He excels on third downs and in the red zone, always making the proper decision.
- Accuracy: I say this all the time: Do not get caught up in completion percentage when evaluating accuracy. Lance completed nearly 67 percent of his passes, which is impressive, but the tape showed he was even more accurate than that number indicates. His ball placement is excellent. He really trusts his eyes and throws with anticipation, which allows his receivers better opportunities to run after the catch. He can layer the ball in the middle of the field (over linebackers and under safeties) and he excels on bucket throws (deep balls over the top).
- Decision-making: I've never evaluated a draft prospect with this stat line: 28 touchdowns, 0 interceptions. You read that correctly. He had zero interceptions. When I saw that number, I expected to find an overly cautious player on tape. That wasn't the case, though. He is selectively aggressive. When there are big-play opportunities, he lets it rip and will fit the ball in tight quarters. However, he's very content to take his checkdown options if nothing emerges down the field. He makes full-field reads, and he's very quick to get to his third option before delivering the ball to the proper location.
- Play-making ability: Here are the two questions I ask myself when evaluating this skill/trait: 1) Can you make something happen when the play breaks down? 2) Can you use your legs to pick up yards when the defense provides you with those opportunities?Lance can do both, and he does it effortlessly. He has outstanding instincts to avoid and create from the pocket and excels on designed quarterback options/runs. He's very athletic and generates big plays because of it.
- Toughness: I noticed Lance's toughness mostly when he was used as a runner. He ran over a safety on the way to the end zone in the UC Davis game. He's very strong/sturdy, and he doesn't shy away from contact. I saw the same things from Wentz during his time in Fargo.
- Where he needs to improve: More than anything else, Lance just needs to play more snaps. He has started for only one season. I was really looking forward to watching him play against a very talented Oregon defense this fall, but that game has been canceled. The lack of big-time competition might bother some evaluators, but I'm comfortable with what I've seen thus far. Aside from that, there is one mechanical thing he can adjust and improve on. Occasionally, he will fall off the mound on throws to his left. His front side opens up too early and his placement can be affected. That is very easily correctable.
- Biggest takeaway: I was shocked at the maturity in Lance's game. It's uncommon to see a redshirt senior demonstrate this type of control and mastery of a system. Lance was a redshirt freshman! He does a wonderful job staying in the moment and executing. I didn't expect to see such a polished player at this stage of his development.
- He reminds me of: Andrew Luck. I know Luck is a little bit bigger, but they are similar athletes and they both played with a maturity beyond their age at the collegiate level. I remember watching Luck run over defenders. I also remember being so impressed with his ability to execute on key plays in every game. I see the same things when I study Lance. More than anything else, these are two guys who exude confidence on the field. They are fearless, but they avoid being reckless. That's a very delicate balance. Luck was on his way to a Hall of Fame career before shocking the football world and retiring a year ago. I don't have quite the same grade on Lance, but he could get there with continued growth and development.
I'll take Trevor, Justin or Lance. Give me hope. Give me a guy who can sling it and also convert first downs with his legs. I don't know need Vick, Lamar, but someone who is as mobile if not more than Case.
Any of the QBs plus Cook, Mattison, Adam, JJ, Irv, plus whatever other young weapon we can add would be a great start to building a new dynamic offense.
@"Skodin" said:This. Can we just once have something nice in Vikingland?? One fucking time??I'll take Trevor, Justin or Lance. Give me hope.
@"Skodin" said:I'll take either of those three as well, I just don't see us being bad enough to be in position to select Lawrence or Fields. Still a lot of ball to be played, so for now it's OK to dream a bit I guess.I'll take Trevor, Justin or Lance. Give me hope. Give me a guy who can sling it and also convert first downs with his legs. I don't know need Vick, Lamar, but someone who is as mobile if not more than Case. Any of the QBs plus Cook, Mattison, Adam, JJ, Irv, plus whatever other young weapon we can add would be a great start to building a new dynamic offense.
@"StickyBun" said:@"Skodin" said:I'll take Trevor, Justin or Lance. Give me hope.This. Can we just once have something nice in Vikingland?? One fucking time??
Trey Lance has his one game of the year this saturday. Sounds like 28 NFL team scouts will be there.
@"kmillard" said: Trey Lance has his one game of the year this saturday. Sounds like 28 NFL team scouts will be there.I wonder if that game will be televised by me. I'd love to see him play live once.
@"PurpleCrush" said:should be on espn+ 2:30 pm CT@"kmillard" said: Trey Lance has his one game of the year this saturday. Sounds like 28 NFL team scouts will be there. I wonder if that game will be televised by me. I'd love to see him play live once.
In the FCS Championship Game against James Maddison Lance was only 6 of 10 passing for 72 yards. But, it was a cold rainy sloppy day and he ran the ball 30 times for 166 yards. The highlight below of that game shows what kind of a tough gritty player he is in bad weather games. You also see he can make something out of nothing when the pocket breaks down. This kind of play making ability might come in handy when the Vikings travel to Green Bay and Chicago.
His strength is the Run Pass Option. Grooming him behind Kirk in our current system isn't an ideal match. But I would still be tempted to take him in the top half of the draft.
You can also find the whole game on youtube as well. Fun game to watch.
You know if you consume enough adult beverages to slur your speech, Trevor Lawrence comes out sounding like Trey Lance... ;) B)
@"Carl Knowles" said: In the FCS Championship Game against James Maddison Lance was only 6 of 10 passing for 72 yards. But, it was a cold rainy sloppy day and he ran the ball 30 times for 166 yards. The highlight below of that game shows what kind of a tough gritty player he is in bad weather games. You also see he can make something out of nothing when the pocket breaks down. This kind of play making ability might come in handy when the Vikings travel to Green Bay and Chicago.His strength is the Run Pass Option. Grooming him behind Kirk in our current system isn't an ideal match. But I would still be tempted to take him in the top half of the draft.
Yep, if the Vikings were to get this kid they'd have to change their offense. The only minor red flag for me with Lance is he doesn't have a ton of snaps to show and critique. He'd be on the raw side. But I still would love to see him taken by Minnesota.
@"StickyBun" said:@"Carl Knowles" said: In the FCS Championship Game against James Maddison Lance was only 6 of 10 passing for 72 yards. But, it was a cold rainy sloppy day and he ran the ball 30 times for 166 yards. The highlight below of that game shows what kind of a tough gritty player he is in bad weather games. You also see he can make something out of nothing when the pocket breaks down. This kind of play making ability might come in handy when the Vikings travel to Green Bay and Chicago.His strength is the Run Pass Option. Grooming him behind Kirk in our current system isn't an ideal match. But I would still be tempted to take him in the top half of the draft.
Yep, if the Vikings were to get this kid they'd have to change their offense. The only minor red flag for me with Lance is he doesn't have a ton of snaps to show and critique. He'd be on the raw side. But I still would love to see him taken by Minnesota.
Before you laugh at me, Kubiak (if he's still here, which I think he will be) might be able to tailor an offense to Lance. It reminds me of Shanahan and RGIII back when Shanahan changed his WCO to fit Griffin's strengths. And Kubiak being an old disciple of Shanahan, as well as being around the block a few times, might be able to do that. Or at least that's what I would hope.
@"PurpleCrush" said:You have been watching the games haven't you? ;) I look at their remaining schedule and just don't see many wins. We're not as bad as the Jets but...@"Skodin" said:I'll take Trevor, Justin or Lance. Give me hope. Give me a guy who can sling it and also convert first downs with his legs. I don't know need Vick, Lamar, but someone who is as mobile if not more than Case. Any of the QBs plus Cook, Mattison, Adam, JJ, Irv, plus whatever other young weapon we can add would be a great start to building a new dynamic offense.I'll take either of those three as well, I just don't see us being bad enough to be in position to select Lawrence or Fields. Still a lot of ball to be played, so for now it's OK to dream a bit I guess.
@"PurplePastor" said:Lol, yes I have. But with that being said, look at some of these other teams - the Jets, Giants, Redskins, Broncos, Falcons. They're absolute train wrecks. I know we're playing badly, but we still have quite a bit of talent even with the injuries. I think the young guys will continue to improve which might lead to some wins, although not many lol. QB's, if they're really good prospects, tend to get pushed up the board. And with the three available this upcoming draft, we're probably either going to have to be a 2-4 win team or trade massive capital to get one of them.@"PurpleCrush" said:You have been watching the games haven't you? ;) I look at their remaining schedule and just don't see many wins. We're not as bad as the Jets but...@"Skodin" said:I'll take Trevor, Justin or Lance. Give me hope. Give me a guy who can sling it and also convert first downs with his legs. I don't know need Vick, Lamar, but someone who is as mobile if not more than Case. Any of the QBs plus Cook, Mattison, Adam, JJ, Irv, plus whatever other young weapon we can add would be a great start to building a new dynamic offense.I'll take either of those three as well, I just don't see us being bad enough to be in position to select Lawrence or Fields. Still a lot of ball to be played, so for now it's OK to dream a bit I guess.
@"PurplePastor" said:But you base this on how they played in two games, assuming that THAT Viking team is the one we're going to see in all 13 remaining games. I don't think that's very likely, do you?@"PurpleCrush" said:You have been watching the games haven't you? ;) I look at their remaining schedule and just don't see many wins. We're not as bad as the Jets but...@"Skodin" said:I'll take Trevor, Justin or Lance. Give me hope. Give me a guy who can sling it and also convert first downs with his legs. I don't know need Vick, Lamar, but someone who is as mobile if not more than Case. Any of the QBs plus Cook, Mattison, Adam, JJ, Irv, plus whatever other young weapon we can add would be a great start to building a new dynamic offense.I'll take either of those three as well, I just don't see us being bad enough to be in position to select Lawrence or Fields. Still a lot of ball to be played, so for now it's OK to dream a bit I guess.Because I think the team that lost Sunday by 1 point to the AFC runner up is more likely what we'll get. For better or worse, that team is going to win some games. Not all of 'em, probably not even a majority of them, but probably too many to be in the running for Trey, Trev and Justin. I could be wrong. But if I'm right, I'm rooting for the Bengals to finish last. That's a team we might be able to trade with.
@"Vanguard83" said:Lofl VG...@"StickyBun" said:@"Skodin" said:I'll take Trevor, Justin or Lance. Give me hope.This. Can we just once have something nice in Vikingland?? One fucking time??Some of those Austin Powers moments were just frigging awesome....I loved me some fat bastard and the crazy dutchmen too.
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