Top 5 quarterback prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft

3. Trey Lance

Lance being ranked above Wilson is going to be a controversial evaluation in some people’s minds. It’s fair to point out that Lance might have to sit for a year at the NFL level before he’s ready to handle being a starter on a weekly basis.

That doesn’t change the reality that Lance has an extremely high upside as a professional quarterback. He’s a legitimate 6-foot-4, 225+ athlete who runs like a wide receiver in space. Combine that with exceptional arm talent and it’s easy to project him as a perennial Pro Bowler at the next level.

Teams spending a lot of time watching Lance on film are going to be compelled to compare him to Cam Newton. That’s understandable given the size and speed both players possess. Where Lance’s college film differs from Newton is that he’s already a more accurate thrower from the pocket.

That doesn’t mean Lance is going to automatically have a Newton-like ascension when he hits the NFL, but that possibility shouldn’t be ruled out. If an NFL coaching staff thinks they can unlock Lance’s full potential they should absolutely select him in the top five.