Now that the College Football Playoff is over, with Alabama beating Ohio State 52-24, we can now look forward to seeing which players declare for the upcoming NFL Draft and which ones decide to stay in college.
A position that will always get the masses talking is the quarterback position. When your team goes after a new young quarterback, it can distract you from some of the bad things going on in your franchise. It can also get you exciting, hoping you’ve got the most important position in sports figured out for the next five years (at least).
This year, there may be six quarterbacks taken in the first round, each showing the differing skills throughout the college football season.
Now, each person or scout views quarterbacks differently and every ranking you see is just mostly going off of said person's preferences.
Some like mobile quarterbacks, some like the ones with the strong arms, some like the more accurate ones, and some just want people who will win. In a perfect world, the guy your team drafts possesses all of those traits. The one thing we all hope for as fans is that we don’t draft a “bust.”
There are different levels of being a bust. For some the situation they were in just didn’t work out whereas others just flat out stunk. Quarterbacks like Jim Plunkett, Steve Young, Brett Favre, among others, were written off early in their careers to have great success on another team. Whereas others like JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, Johnny Manziel, and more recently, Josh Rosen, have been labeled as some pretty big busts in the NFL.
People’s views of bust vary as well. Is Mitchell Trubisky a bust? Some would say yeah, whereas others look at the fact he’s gotten the Bears to the Playoffs in two of his four years as a starter, others will say they made the Playoffs in spite of him.
All in all, the NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times of the year. Everyone has varying opinions when it comes to the Draft and it’s fun to look at different mock drafts and see where someone thinks a player will go.
For today, I’m going to be ranking my top 5 quarterbacks for this upcoming draft class, and maybe list some other quarterbacks to take in the later rounds. Now, without further adieu, here’s my top 5!
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Whether you wrote this list in 2018 or 2021, Trevor Lawrence was and always has been the number one quarterback in this draft class, with people comparing him to the likes of John Elways and Andrew Luck in regards to “can’t miss prospects.”
Now, I hate the term “can’t miss prospect” because any prospect can miss, no matter how good they seem. The Draft is not a perfect process, but I think we can all agree that Trevor Lawrence will go number one to Jacksonville.
You may be sitting there asking, “Logan, what makes Trevor Lawrence so special?” Well, let me tell ya.
First off, one thing a lot of coaches and scouts look for is a “winner,” and ever since high school, Trevor Lawrence has done that. As a starter at Clemson, Trevor went 34-2 as a starter, and at one point in high school, won 41 consecutive games.
The winning mentality is an extremely important factor in scouting, as well as, obviously, his raw physical skills.
Standing at 6’6”, Trevor arguably has the strongest arm in college football. Coupling that with his accuracy and his athletic ability, makes him one of those heralded “can’t miss prospects.”
Game to watch; Clemson vs Ohio State 2020; didn’t start off great and got beat up, but turned it around and got the dub for Clemson. This game shows off his arm strength, athletic ability, toughness, and winning mentality that will see him go number one overall.
2. Justin Fields, Ohio State
With how good Justin Fields was last year, I’m kind of surprised people were dropping him in their draft boards. I know he may have not played his best football in 2020, but dude is still an amazing athlete and very talented quarterback.
Games against Indiana and Northwestern will give some scouts the wrong idea, but playing with a hurt thumb on your throwing hand against a top college football defense in Northwestern, sorry if I don’t judge him too harshly on that game.
Last season, in case any of you forgot, Justin Fields put together a season consisting of 3,273 passing yards with 41 touchdowns and only three interceptions while completing 67.2% of his passes, crazy good numbers for a first year starter. He also put up 484 yards on the ground with 10 rushing touchdowns.
This year, in a “down” year for Fields, he still managed 2,100 passing yards with 22 touchdowns while completing 70.2% of his passes. Though his interception numbers doubled this season from last, some of the numbers scouts pay attention to went up.
His completion percentage increased, his yards per attempt increased, even his yards per rush attempt increased by over a yard.
Ohio State only played in eight games this year, just over half the games they played last year, meaning, one would suspect his passing numbers and rushing numbers would’ve surpassed his 2019-20 numbers.
One thing that will surely stick out to scouts was the toughness he displayed against Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl. Now, I don’t know this for a fact, but I find it hard to believe that he didn’t break his ribs on that collision with Clemson linebacker James Skalski.
I don’t know if people understand how hard it is to function athletically with broken ribs, let alone throw a football. From someone who has broken their ribs twice, I’d like to say I know what he was going through, but even with my situation, I didn’t get hit nearly as hard as Fields did.
After that, Fields went on to out play Trevor Lawrence, putting on a six touchdown display, one touchdown he threw two plays after his injury.
That game alone should take the thought out of everyone's mind that he is not the second best quarterback in this class. If I am the Jets, who currently have the number two pick, I take Fields and I don’t look back.
If anyone out there can honestly tell me what Sam Darnold does better than Fields, I am open to hearing it, because after watching Sam try to play in the NFL the past three years, I find it hard to nail down what he does particularly well or what people see in him, because I’ve watched him for three years, and I feel Fields is an upgrade on every level.
You can even look back at Sam in college, what did Sam do better in college than Justin Fields. Let me ask you this, if that was Sam breaking his ribs, do you think he would stay in? I don’t.
Justin Fields is a great athlete and is a fantastic thrower of the football. Does he make the odd error? Yes, every quarterback does, even Trevor Lawrence. Again, if I’m the Jets and I didn’t trade the second overall pick for Deshaun Watson, I am taking Justin Fields there.
For Sam’s sake, I hope he does well in the NFL, I have no ill will towards him whatsoever, but I think he should be done in New Jersey.
Justin Fields is the second best QB in this class. He has the size, athletic ability, and arm talent to be a very good quarterback at the next level.
Game to watch; Ohio State vs Clemson 2021; this is the game where he broke his ribs and showed off his toughness against the number two team in America. For a specific throw, watch the throw he made to Jeremy Ruckert with just under 15 seconds to play in the first half, though it’s a shorter throw, it’s an elite throw nonetheless.
3. Zach Wilson, BYU
Prior to the season started, you would’ve been hard pressed to find BYU’s Zach Wilson ranked third among draftable quarterbacks, but, here we are. With his stellar play for the Cougars this season and the lack thereof of a season for the Missouri Valley Conference, which saw pre-season number three QB Trey Lance play one game (which was easily his worst in college), we now see Wilson above Lance on about 90% of draft boards out there.
Wilson, though he doesn’t look it, is bigger than what he plays at. Listed at 6’3”, he is as tall as the aforementioned Justin Fields and Alabama quarterback Mac Jones.
Much like Fields before him, Wilson is a very good and smart runner with the football and can make plays with both his arm and his legs. As a passer, he is extremely accurate, finishing just behind Jones in completion percentage by completing 73.5% of his passes. He also possesses a very strong throwing arm and can make all the “NFL level throws” necessary to be a beast at the next level.
Now, with that being said, there are some flags around Wilson’s name as we approach the NFL Draft. One concern is the fact that BYU did not play a particularly hard schedule compared to the rest in the top five, with a combined record of the teams they faced being 56-56.
Can we really blame BYU for their schedule this year though? Being an independent, BYU suffered from the fact that some conferences excluded non-conference games, so they had to take games as they came. They beat the teams that were placed in front of them. But, the fact of the matter is the teams still aren’t very good.
One of the other flags, I guess, would be his reported “character concerns.” An unnamed scouting director for an unnamed team came out and said that Wilson, “has character concerns, rich kid who is an entitled brat – uncle owns JetBlue -, parents are a pain, not a leader, selfish, and he’s a know-it-all.” The scout also compared him to a former NFL quarterback with character concerns by the name of Johnny Manziel.
This label has been put on the aforementioned Manziel as well as former Cardinals, Dolphins, Buccaneers, and current 49ers QB Josh Rosen, which could potentially hurt his draft stock a tiny bit.
Now, I don’t know how well Mr. Unnamed Scout knows Zach Wilson, but you would think someone who is bashing someone for having “character concerns” would come out and say it without hiding right? So is the scout really fair to judge Wilson on that even though he (or she) doesn’t have the “character” to say it to his face? Interesting to say the least.
I don’t know Zach, but I’ve watched him play, and all I can say on the playing aspect is this: the dude can ball.
We already mentioned his completion percentage, but he also put up 3,692 passing yards with 33 passing touchdowns and only three interceptions. He also gained 254 rushing yards with 10 rushing touchdowns.
With his headband, and the fact he went to BYU, he kind of reminds me of Jim McMahon, not necessarily in play still but in on field presence if that makes sense. If he’s as tough as McMahon while keeping up with his athletic skill and his strong arm, he’d be fun to watch at the next level.
Again, Wilson is an elite athlete, and if his “character concerns” remain in check, or if he can just shed that label completely, he should be a very good NFL quarterback.
Game to watch; BYU vs UCF; this was BYU’s bowl game and easily Wilson’s best game in college. Though he had some great games throughout the season, this game he put up his season high in passing yards and joint season high in total touchdowns with five (three passing two running).
4. Trey Lance, North Dakota State
No one's draft stock was hurt worse by COVID-19 than Trey Lance. Because of the pandemic kicking off, the Missouri Valley Conference cancelled their fall football season, moving it to the spring. Now, I don’t know how they expect these college kids to turn around and play another season with only a couple months off but that’s another point for another time.
For Lance and North Dakota State, they were one of the “lucky” teams in the Missouri Valley to get a game this season, playing against Central Arkansas. Though the Bison won the game, it was easily the worst game of Lance’s college career.
Against the Bears, Lance completed only 50% of his passes (15/30) for 149 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, which was the first turnover in Trey Lance’s college career.
The thing that makes Lance a fascinating prospect is his ability to run the ball as well. Though he had a bad game passing the ball, he did put up 143 yards rushing on 15 carries for two touchdowns, averaging nearly a first down per carry (9.5 ypa).
That being said, Lance was the best player in college football at the FCS level in 2019, in a season where the Bison won yet another National Championship.
Lance put up 2,786 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 66.9% of his passes along with 1,100 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Award wise, Lance took home the Walter Payton Award, for the nation's best player, and Jerry Rice Award, for being the best freshman at the FCS level.
Prior to this season, Lance was clear as the number three quarterback in this draft, but again, playing only one game, it was going to be hard to keep that spot unless he had an insane game, but, as we said before, he did not.
Another mark towards Lance is the fact that North Dakota State is an FCS team. Though they are the best, they’re still an FCS team, which sometimes hurts players draft stock.
Players like Steve McNair, Carson Wentz, and Joe Flacco all came from the FCS level and were drafted fairly high in their respective drafts, Lance could/should be following in their footsteps.
What makes Lance fun to watch is that he does literally everything on the football field. For being as big as he is, 6’4” 227 lbs., he moves incredibly well. He also possesses a very strong arm and is a great decision maker in the passing game as well as in the rushing attack, i.e. zero turnovers last season.
Another possible mark against Lance is the fact North Dakota State are so dominant at the FCS level, winning eight out of the last nine National Championships. Though they kill teams on both sides, their rushing attack ranked second nationally last season, averaging 276.0 yards per game.
Obviously, Lance, who led the team with 1,100 yards rushing, was a big part of that, but some say that makes the passing game easier for him because it opens up holes in the defense because they are getting sucked in by their prolific rush attack. That being said, Lance was responsible for 252 (4th nationally) of North Dakota State’s 596 points, which is 42% of their points, which is kind of crazy to think about considering how many times they scored.
With Lance’s abilities in the rushing and passing attack, it would be very hard to pass on him at any point in the draft. IF Wilson’s “character concerns” are a real thing, don’t be surprised to see Lance jump him in the Draft. Did anyone think Josh Allen would get drafted before Josh Rosen? Unless you had Allen going one, that answer is no.
Lance’s ability in the passing game and the rushing attack and his overall athletic ability should make scouts and coaches drool on what that could transform him into. The future could be fun for Trey Lance.
Game to watch; North Dakota State vs Butler/James Madison; the game against Butler was Lance’s “coming out party.” Though not against the stiffest of competition, you can see Lance’s abilities as a passer and a rusher, throwing one incompletion, combining for 301 total yards, and six touchdowns. James Madison was in the FCS Championship game. The Dukes, coming in, had the best defense in the nation, third in rushing defense. So, what did Lance do? Torch them for 166 yards rushing and a touchdown.
5. Mac Jones, Alabama
This spot, to me, is essentially a coin flip between Mac Jones and Florida’s Kyle Trask. But after Trask was outdueled by Jones in the SEC Championship game and his three interception performance against Oklahoma, I think it’s fair to say Jones will get drafted before Trask.
Now, I know that Jones balled out this season, but his mobility, or lack thereof, kind of turns me off him a little bit.
There’s no doubt Jones is an extremely accurate passer, completing 77.4% of his passes (1st) with a passer rating of 203.1 (also 1st). He also led the nation in passing yards with 4,500 and yards per attempt with 11.2 He was second in touchdowns with 41 and only threw four interceptions all season. He also fumbled for the first time this season against Ohio State on Monday.
So with all the stats in his favor, why is Mac Jones ranked only at five? Well again, his lack of mobility will scare some people off. He honestly may be the worst slider I have ever seen, hurting himself trying to slide against Ohio State and almost destroying his knee against Notre Dame. Sliding, though not insanely important overall, is something he’ll definitely need to work on.
There’s also the factor of if he is just being carried by, arguably, the best offense in college football history. With two first round wide receivers, one being the Heisman winner in Davonta Smith, the Doak Walker Award winner at running back in Najee Harris, the Outland Trophy winner in Alex Leatherwood, the best offensive line overall in college football, with their center, Landon Dickerson, being named the best center in college football, and finally, the best offensive coordinator in football in Steve Sarkisian. Is that it? Wow.
I would say that that’s a fair mark to have, is he getting carried? Going into the season, I wasn’t sure he’d be the starter, as Alabama had a 5 star quarterback from Cali come in in the form of Bryce Young, who some are comparing to former Heisman winner and number one overall pick Kyler Murray.
What happened with this situation, I think, was that Jones didn’t do anything to really lose the job. Similar to Georgia when they had Jake Fromm and Justin Fields. I think it’d be fair to guess Bryce Young is more talented than Jones, but, the coaches felt they had to show loyalty to Jones, and their loyalty paid off cause he had himself a great season.
We already stated Jones is very accurate, but what else does he do that should nail him in as a first rounder quarterback? He’s not very athletic, he doesn’t have the strongest arm, and he was “carried” by some extremely elite talent this season.
Remember what I said earlier? About what coaches and scouts look for in quarterbacks. Is he a winner and does he have that mindset? I would say yes.
Did he halent elite talent around him? Yes, obviously. But I don’t want to say he can’t do it in the NFL, he could be the next Tom Brady for all I know. Remember Brady’s draft report? Honestly, it’s fairly similar to that of Mac Jones.
Though he has some limitations that could and probably will hurt him when the draft comes up, I think he could be a very solid quarterback in the NFL.
Compared to these other quarterbacks, he had the best season. His stats are better and he won the National Championship. But again, his lack of mobility, the lack of an elite arm, and the fact some may think he was just a passenger on this unstoppable machine will hurt him come draft time.
Note; I feel bad for dropping Kyle Trask out of the top five, he’s a very good quarterback with an elite arm that can make every throw on the field. I just feel that if we look at Trask and Jones’ match-up and see their last games you’d probably have to put Jones above Trask as a prospect. As we get closer to the draft, more will become clear on who is the best quarterback between the two.
Game to watch; Alabama vs Florida 2020; this was Mac Jones vs Kyle Trask. Two quarterbacks competing for the Heisman in the SEC Championship game. Jones broke several records in the game and took home the dub. This was also one of the games Jones threw an interception, you can see how he responds to that. The very next play after the pic, he threw a touchdown to Davonta Smith.
The NFL Draft is my favorite time of the year. I love putting together mock drafts and giving some scouting reports on players, it gives me something to do when I get bored.
I’ve done mock drafts and done scouting reports since I was a freshman at William Penn, and every year I feel I type up more information than I probably should. This list will of course be subject to change once the draft comes but for now, this is my top five QBs for the draft.
I hope y’all got to this point. Thanks for reading! I’ll have more stuff coming up in the near future. Can’t wait for the 2021 NFL Draft!
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