Previewing the prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft
QUARTERBACKS
MATT’S TAKE …
It is a foregone conclusion that Trevor Lawrence will be the first overall pick, but don’t be surprised to see five quarterbacks selected on Thursday night, with four potentially taken extremely early in the round. The depth of this quarterback class is questionable and considering the circumstances, evaluating this class and finding a “diamond in the rough” should prove very difficult. Evaluators just don’t have as much information as normal, and that is most challenging at this position.
Sleeper - Davis Mills, Stanford (6-4, 225) - Coming out of high school, Mills was a hyped recruit. A sturdy pocket passer, Mills is smart and a very quick processor. Mills doesn’t have a lot of experience and makes his share of bad decisions, but he is confident and talented. There is a lot to work with here, and Mills has a pretty high ceiling if it all works out for him at the next level.
No. 5 - Mac Jones, Alabama (6-3, 214) - Jones is like Ice Man in Top Gun. No mistakes. Jones “does his job” as well as any quarterback prospect in recent memory and is coming off a fabulous season at Alabama. Jones is incredibly accurate with the football with great timing. But he certainly isn’t physically overwhelming in any area, and he was surrounded with immense talent at Alabama. Jones wins with his mind and is a lethal short passer. When your blockers, receivers, and runners are pretty much all potential first-round picks, playing quarterback at the college level isn’t all that difficult, but his insane production just can’t be ignored. That is what NFL talent evaluators must weigh with Jones.
No. 4 - Trey Lance, North Dakota State (6-3, 224) - This is an evaluation like none other in recent memory. Lance only played one game in 2020 and has only appeared in 17 games, all of which against FCS competition in a North Dakota State offense that featured the run. But Lance didn’t throw a single interception in 2019 and had a tremendous season. Lance is thickly built and powerful, a very good runner and isn’t bashful about taking contact to get extra yardage. That is a great trait and shows Lance’s extreme competitiveness, which his teammates surely recognize, but he also needs to protect himself a little better at the NFL level. Lance is also an aggressive deep passer with a power arm, but he will likely need work on timing and rhythm. An extremely young prospect, Lance will be the first player in the NFL born in the 2000s.
No. 3 - Zach Wilson, BYU (6-3, 210) - Wilson is an exciting playmaker who routinely makes off-platform throws and plays out of structure, while also using his legs to make plays as a runner and passer. He is difficult to get on the ground, and a play is never dead with Wilson at quarterback. Few prospects have Wilson’s creativity and problem-solving traits. Wilson has a highly functional arm and has drastically improved since 2019 as a passer. This really shows up with his timing and anticipation as a thrower as well as his poise and feel for the game. The ball comes out very quickly and he doesn’t need to wind up to get the ball deep. The worries with Wilson are the level of competition, as well his stature and frame. You would like to see a sturdier build to handle the NFL.
No. 2 - Justin Fields, Ohio State (6-3, 228) - There is an awful lot to work with here as Fields enters the NFL. While Fields is somewhat of a “See it and throw it” passer instead of showing great anticipation, he is extremely accurate with the football to all levels. He is a high-end passer with an aggressive downfield mentality. Fields is also a high-end athlete, both as a runner who shows elusiveness and power, and in terms of extending plays with his feet to complete passes. While incredibly tough and competitive, Fields has some work to do playing on time within the framework of the play-call. His NFL team would be wise to incorporate some of the concepts Fields utilized at Ohio State early in his pro career. Fields also did put some not-so-great moments on tape this year, although 2020 was obviously a strange season. Lastly, Fields’ production when this year wasn’t exactly where you would like it to be.
No. 1 - Trevor Lawrence, Clemson, (6-6, 220) - Lawrence is a special prospect and a slam dunk to be the first pick overall. He has great size for the position with a frame to carry more good weight to match with his athletic ability. Lawrence can hurt a defense as a runner and is very natural throwing on the move. Lawrence is extremely dangerous both inside and outside the structure of the original play design. He throws with power as well as touch to all levels, and it’s an extremely catchable
