Tanner Morgan or Trey Lance – Two 1st-Round QB’s Sit in the Minnesota Vikings’ Front/Back Yards

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Two local colleges have quarterbacks projected to be 1st round selections in the 2021 NFL Draft. University of Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance. Vikings fans should be drooling over the thought that there’s a good chance Rick Spielman selects one of them.

First, let’s take a look at the current quarterback situation. As we all know, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. The Vikings did restructure his contract to lower the cap for 2020 by extending his previous three year deal an additional two years. Cousins is under contract through the 2022 season where he’s scheduled to make $45 million. Unless the NFL salary cap spikes significantly or the Vikings win the Super Bowl in 2021, don’t expect to see Kirk Cousins in a Vikings uniform in 2022.

That leads us to potentially find his replacement in the 2021 draft. It’s a talented quarterback class led by Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Hopefully the Vikings won’t hold a top five pick in 2021 but instead pick late in the first round where Tanner Morgan or Trey Lance could fall right into their lap.

Which QB prospect fits the Vikings best? I’ll let you decide.

Trey Lance/QB/NDSU 

6-3/224

RSo

Marshall, MN 

In Lance’s first full year as a starter, he posted stats you only see in video games. He had zero turnovers while passing for 2,786 yards and carrying the rock for an additional 1,100 yards. NDSU’s level of competition was weak in 2019, resulting in a 16-0 season and the FCS National Championship. NDSU’s previous two quarterbacks have been drafted; the Eagles took Carson Wentz second overall in 2016 and the Chargers selected Easton Stick 166th overall in 2019. Both were starters for the Bison for multiple seasons.

Trey Lance would be the perfect candidate to backup a veteran quarterback for a year or two before taking over. Lance’s pocket presence and poise rival that of Russell Wilson and his overall play is similar to Tyrod Taylor. Trey Lance should have another impressive season in 2020 which should prove to NFL scouts and GMs that he’s worth a first round grade.

The sample size for Lance is small but Vikings fans should watch NDSU football when they get the chance; he could end up in purple. 

Draft Site predicts the Vikings will take Lance with the 25th overall pick.

Tanner Morgan

6-2/215

RJr

Union, KY 

Tanner Morgan and the Gophers took the Big 10 Conference by storm. In his first year as the full time starter, Morgan posted a very impressive stat line with 3,253 passing yards and 30 touchdowns but most importantly, led the Gophers to an 11-2 record including a victory over Auburn in the Outback Bowl. 

Morgan took a huge leap in not only his production but with his fundamentals as well. Quickly developing into a polished passer while hardly turning the ball over is what Tanner Morgan really excelled at. I can guarantee Minnesota’s wins over Penn State and Auburn have QB coaches at the next level excited about watching Tanner Morgan in 2020. He has the big arm and strength to be a starter in the NFL. Tanner Morgan’s NFL comparison is a mix between Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jacoby Brissett. 

Just like I mentioned with Trey Lance, Tanner Morgan’s best recipe for success would be to “redshirt” for a year with the right team. CBS Sports predicts Tanner Morgan to go 23rd overall. A spot before the Vikings. MSF has more here.

Both Lance and Morgan need to avoid regressing and prove that their 2019 seasons were not flukes. This is just the start of an 11 month twitter war between Gopher fans and Bison fans. I’ll grab the popcorn

I would be very very happy to see either quarterback land in Minnesota (again). 

Ski-U-〽️ah. Go Bison ??

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Tweet me your thoughts @SkolMemes using #TeamTanner or #TeamTrey and I’ll be happy to go back and forth with you!

SkolMemes | Minnesota Sports Fan

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