2021 NFL Draft: Examining The Top Quarterback Prospects

It may only be March, but true managers know that fantasy football is a year-round sport. Following a football season that had cancellations, abbreviations, and uncertainties, scouts and fantasy experts have smaller sample sizes to work with across the board. Whether they competed in one game, six games or 12 games last season, these are some of the top prospects at the quarterback position that have a chance to find their way onto future fantasy football rosters. The 2021 NFL Draft may be remembered as one that produced the strongest quarterback class in recent memory. Let’s look at each prospect’s strengths and weaknesses, project where they may land, and discuss how likely it is that they’ll contribute during their rookie campaign.

QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

Pros

• Prototypical quarterback build and measurables (6-foot-6, 220 pounds)
• Possesses strength and accuracy on his throws
• A proven winner with a career record of 34-2
• Can keep defenses honest with the run (18 career rushing touchdowns)

Cons

• A large number of his games were against teams where Clemson was favored by three or more touchdowns
• Lawrence is almost guaranteed to be drafted by the Jaguars, a team that severely lacks the surrounding offensive weapons to allow him to thrive

Player Comparison: Justin Herbert

Projected Round: First

Projected Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Takeaway: Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback prospect to enter the NFL Draft since Andrew Luck. You have to grasp at something when it comes to the cons list with Lawrence. Statistically and record-wise, he’s one of the greatest college quarterbacks to ever play the game. In Lawrence’s three years at Clemson, he threw for 90 touchdowns compared to just 17 interceptions. He also led his team to the college football playoff in all three of his seasons, winning three ACC Championships and a national title in 2018. Although he isn’t best known for his scrambling ability, he did run a 4.7 40-yard dash and produced 18 rushing touchdowns over his collegiate career. The most likely factor holding him back is his projected receiving core with the Jaguars. One thing is for sure, all of Jacksonville’s receivers will get a boost in ADP this season with Lawrence as the projected starter for the foreseeable future.

QB Zach Wilson, BYU

Pros 

• Very accurate passer (completed over 73 percent of his passes in 2020)
• Above-average mobility
• Quick release that translates perfectly to the NFL
• Showed incredible improvement from 2019 to 2020 and is still progressing
• Tripled his touchdown output last season while throwing just three interceptions compared to the nine he threw in 2019

Cons

• May lack the size to remain durable
• Played against mostly weaker competition and wasn’t forced to throw with a ton of pressure very often

Player Comparison: Robert Griffin III (pre-injuries)

Projected Round: First

Projected Team: New York Jets

Takeaway: Zach Wilson could be a very dangerous man in the NFL and fantasy football world for years to come. Rarely do we see a quarterback who’s this accurate who can both run and throw deep down the field. In 2020, Wilson averaged 307.7 passing yards per game. When you include his rushing touchdowns, he accounted for 43 touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions for a staggering ratio of 14.3 touchdowns for every interception thrown. My only concerns about Wilson are that he constantly had four to five seconds to throw and no defenders within five yards of him. It’s not his fault that he had a great line or that his competition was less than stellar. However, it may take a little bit of time for him to get acclimated to the speed with which he’ll have to get rid of the ball at the next level. He isn’t going to have five uninterrupted seconds in the pocket every down in the NFL. Not to mention, his lack of size may become a factor if he gets hit often. If selected by the Jets, Wilson would have some decent options in Denzel Mims and newly signed Corey Davis. If New York can sign one more solid wideout, Wilson would be walking into a great situation. 

QB Justin Fields, Ohio State

Pros

• He has the ability to extend plays with his feet and can run or keep his eyes down field for a target
• Can throw well on the run
• Makes great red zone throws, decisions, and back-shoulder throws
• Top-notch athleticism, especially at the quarterback position

Cons

• Has a tendency to underthrow deep balls
• Can look for the home run a bit too often
• Needs to improve when under pressure

Projected Round: 1

Player Comparison: Dak Prescott

Projected Team: Atlanta Falcons

Takeaway: Fields has always been a mature player who exudes confidence and inspires his teammates with his playmaking ability. The fact that Fields threw four touchdown passes in the 2021 Sugar Bowl, and ran for an additional two scores after suffering a huge hit to his rib cage speaks to his dedication and determination. He is a true professional. Looking at Fields’ numbers in college will make fantasy owners salivate. His career 67 passing touchdowns compared to just nine interceptions (at Ohio State) will obviously not translate exactly the same way at the next level. Fields can definitely make his future owners happy once he gets on the field. His questions right now involve his decision-making, his touch on deep balls, and where he will land in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields can be very valuable in fantasy football or an afterthought, depending on which team selects him. In the right situation, he should be a solid fantasy producer, though it may take some time for him to earn the starting job. If selected by the Falcons, Fields probably wouldn’t be a day-one starter with Matt Ryan still at the helm. However, Atlanta fans seem to be ready for Ryan’s career to wind down, and if the chatter got loud enough, having a new, shiny, mobile quarterback throwing to Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley could respark this team’s offense.