NFL Draft 2021: Final 32-pick Round 1 mock with trades

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Quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft Pick No. 4: Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State

Our first trade of the NFL Draft!

The Denver Broncos don’t seem very happy with the progression of quarterback Drew Lock but have done a good job building the rest of the offense.

Former Broncos general manager John Elway — who’ll work with the current GM, George Paton — has famously been very particular in what he wants with a quarterback, favoring the big and strong sort of pocket passer. Trey Lance fits the mold of big at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds and has a very strong arm.

Lance does have a very high ceiling but is also a very raw prospect who’ll take some molding. He has a strong arm and can scramble, but is also guilty of forcing throws that might work at North Dakota State but would see him picked off a lot in the pros.

He played only one game in a mixed performance in 2020 but threw for 2,786 yards for 28 touchdowns and no interceptions in 2019 at a 66.9 percent completion rate. He also ran for 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Lance would be better served to go the Patrick Mahomes route and sitting for a year to develop his game. If Denver has the patience, it could have a prospect who could have it match the Kansas City Chiefs blow for blow on offense.