The 2021 NFL draft class has many talented players all across the spectrum. This year’s quarterback prospect pool is very rich as they are expected to go early and often, with a lot of options for the Steelers.
This crop of prospects at the quarterback position is one of the best in recent years. Scouts have raved about the top-tier players entering the 2021 NFL Draft. Beyond the top three, there will likely be a couple extra that will go in the first round. Another handful will also be taken throughout all seven rounds in April. This allows plenty of opportunities for the Steelers to draft Ben’s future replacement.
The top three have basically remained the same for this draft class since the college season concluded. Now as the draft gets closer these top three at their position will claw their way into their draft positioning. It will be tough as they have their own unique games and play styles to compare. Pro days and other workouts could help one prospect jump another on a team’s draft board.
Some other prospects that will be selected in round one include Trey Lance and Mac Jones. Both are nice prospects with bright futures in the NFL. It will be interesting to see if all of these prospects go off the boards in the top 15. That prediction can become reality as the position is so highly coveted in the league. Other decent options in the mid to later rounds of the draft include the likes of Kyle Trask (Florida), Kellen Mond (Texas A&M), and Jamie Newman (Wake Forest). Those players will likely go anywhere from the third to sixth rounds of the draft.
Zach Wilson, BYU
Wilson has been the fastest riser for the position on NFL boards. He had an amazing season at BYU that caused his name to launch into the press. Many have him ranked as their second-best quarterback for the NFL draft but it seems too rich. The tape does not lie and this kid has it all. He shows a great ability to hang in the pocket and scramble when it is needed. He is just an all-around playmaker. The strongest part of his game is the canon for the arm that he brings. It is impressive with the tight window throws he has consistently made.
The biggest question mark for Wilson will be if he can translate his skill to the next level. BYU does not play the best competition every week and that could raise some concerns. Josh Allen played at a small school and has translated his talent to the NFL level, so Wilson shouldn’t have any major issues. He might have the highest ceiling of this class and that includes the prospect at number one on this list. Right now many have him as their second-best option for a quarterback but the rest of the scouting process will either help him cement that status or take him down to number three like he is on this list.
Justin Fields, Ohio State
Fields has fallen behind Wilson on many draft boards since the season concluded. It is a shocker as the Ohio State product has done nothing but make explosive plays while in college. After transferring from Georgia, this player has been watched closely by NFL teams. The NFL Draft will have many different ups and downs for prospects and a prospect ultimately just needs one team to like them enough.
Fields is a winner that brings the most athleticism to this prospect pool. He can run when needed with blazing speed. Or he can stop and launch a dart over the middle of the field. One of the things people do not talk about enough for this kid is his toughness. He was beaten up during their playoff run but he was able to stick in there and play.
Ohio State would go onto lose the Nation Championship to Alabama but that was a stacked team. Fields did his best to keep his team in it but it wasn’t enough. He should impress a lot of scouts during his workouts and the testing that comes along with that. Fields has done nothing but dominate at the college level and his athleticism should intrigue many NFL teams.
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Lawrence will no doubt be the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Every person in existence knows this that pays attention to the pre-draft process. He is the most polished option at number one for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Many have compared him to Andrew Luck when he came out of Stanford and that is a fair comparison.
The biggest issue for Lawrence is the hits that he takes. He likes the physicality of the game and that could lead to future injuries. Another issue is the franchise that he will be joining. It is not his fault that a terrible team is choosing him as many good prospects go to bad teams in the NFL draft. It is a toxic and tumultuous franchise that has almost no success. They need a savior and for their sake, let’s hope that the Clemson product is that.
Lawrence started since his freshman season for the Tigers and he has done nothing but destroy teams. He went to the National Championship three times and won two of them. He is a big game player that is not afraid of the spotlight. This could be the level-headed and steady franchise player that the Jaguars have always sought ever since joining the league in the early 1990s.
These prospects will be the future of the NFL. Some might not pan out over time but they have all the tools to become special in this league.