Patriots sending two top execs to Trey Lance’s second Pro Day
The Patriots are expected to have two top talent evaluators in attendance at the second Pro Day for North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB. Assistant director of player personnel Dave Ziegler and front office consultant Eliot Wolf are reportedly the two execs the Patriots sent to Fargo for Lance’s workout, which is expected to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Previously, national scout Matt Groh attended Lance’s first Pro Day workout. Ziegler, who ostensibly replaced Nick Caserio’s role in the 2021 off-season, has held various positions in the Patriots’ personnel department since 2012. Wolf came aboard in 2020 after two seasons as the Cleveland Browns’ assistant GM and six seasons in high-ranking front office roles for the Green Bay Packers.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick mentioned Ziegler, Wolf, and Groh as integral to the team’s 2021 pre-draft process in a video conference with reporters last Thursday.
“This year we didn’t have the Indianapolis combine but we did have some opportunities on pro days so that made it a little bit different, but in the end we’ve accumulated a lot of information,” Belichick said. “Matt [Patricia] has rejoined us and has been heavily involved in the process. Dave Ziegler, Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh have really carried the ball on this. They’ve done a ton of work and their respective staffs that they oversee as well. In particular, those three guys have really done a tremendous amount work, evaluation, organization and have done a great job putting things together.
“It’s been great to spend a lot of time with them and go through the process. We will try to be as well-prepared as we possibly can heading into draft weekend and then see what our opportunities are and do the best we can to improve the team like we always do, same goal as every year.”
The only quarterback projected to be drafted in the first round that Belichick himself saw in person has been Alabama’s Mac Jones. Ziegler, Wolf, Groh, and OC Josh McDaniels have scouted quarterbacks more heavily for the Patriots ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, which begins April 29.
Interestingly enough, according to Breer, Lance’s second Pro Day was organized to accommodate the San Francisco 49ers, who recently traded up to No. 3 in the draft. They are likely to have their pick of Lance, Jones, and Ohio State’s Justin Fields at that spot. Breer’s report indicated that Kyle Shanahan is the only head coach expected to attend Lance’s Pro Day on Monday, but the Broncos are sending offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.
If the Patriots don’t end up drafting a quarterback in the first round, they could still opt for one of the QB prospects in the next tier down. Here’s a list of some names to know.
MORE: Trey Lance Pro Day Recap
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
