2021 NFL Mock Draft: Zach Wilson rises to Jets at No. 2 in 3-round projection

As it stands right now, Taylor Heinicke is the starting quarterback for the Washington Football Team. And when the season kicks off, he might still be the starter. But that doesn’t mean the plan for Ron Rivera’s team is to roll with the one-game wonder full-time.

Instead, they use Heinicke as the bridge starter while Trey Lance learns the ropes at the pro level. Lance is universally praised for his arm talent and ability to create with his legs but there’s also a firm belief that he might not be ready to start as a rookie.

He was a star at North Dakota State and ended up throwing just one interception in his career — which is completely unheard of. He also hasn’t played against elite competition which is why there’s a belief that he should be brought along slowly.

Should he pan out, the Football Team could finally have a franchise quarterback they believe in for the first time since Mark Rypien. Sure, they had Kirk Cousins but the front office not only had no faith in him, former president Bruce Allen never even learned his real name. Lance has a chance to be a true leader and one of the best in the game, but there’s definitely some risk given where he played collegiately.