By: Hussam Patel
Trevor Lawrence This isn’t a surprise; we all know who he is. Trevor Lawrence is one of the most exceptional QB talents since Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. He is likely going to be the #1 Pick by Jacksonville.
The Dolphins should be thankful he will not be in the AFC East for years, as he can push the ball downfield in any coverage, and navigates the pocket smoothly. He's going to learn how to operate an NFL offense, and I expect a couple bumps in the road with him. After the CFP loss against Ohio State, Lawrence’s stock has not dropped.
He's got an incredible resume, A championship under his belt, only 2 losses and record-breaking numbers at Clemson. He will be a Franchise QB with a coaching staff that can build an offense around him and give him some nice weapons.
Justin Fields
Fields is the #2 QB on the board and likely to go within the Top 3 of the 2021 Draft. Fields was one of the nation's best players for the Buckeyes in 2019, dominating the Big Ten and leading them to the National Title game in the College Football Playoff.
As a sophomore, he completed 67 percent of his passes that season for 3,273 yards with 41 touchdowns and three interceptions. He's big, takes hits and can destroy a defense with his legs. He also gets creative outside the pocket using his tremendous arm.
He does a great job protecting the football, most of the time playing mistake-free which is a huge advantage. He throws the ball on time with accuracy and rhythm.
Fields is still raw and learning how to read good defenses. He struggled against defenses like Indiana and Northwestern that used heavy blitzes to contain him in the pocket, rattle him with their pass rush, and force him to make mistakes. Whoever drafts Fields will have to develop his pocket awareness and teach him how to read defenses in the NFL.
Zach Wilson
This is a bit of a hot topic; where does Zach Wilson rank among the rest of the QB's in this draft class? The answer is, who cares? Everyone has different opinions. He is my # 3 QB on my board, because he’s a great fit in an ever-changing passing league where gunslingers and cerebral QBs reign supreme.
Wilson is a combination of a gunslinger and an intellectual student of the game. He’s also mobile enough to play in a zone read offense. Wilson is an athletic quarterback who uses great footwork and pocket awareness to extend plays. He has great arm strength and excellent ball placement, particularly in his deep passing game, which is sure to “wow” any team. He's always looking downfield while being aware in the pocket and using his legs to extend plays, which is crucial in today’s game
Furthermore, he would be able to change the game with just one deep pass swinging momentum. Wilson will probably need to sit for a few games or an entire season to get acclimated to the NFL playbook, as he hasn't faced the quality of competition as the rest of this QB class.
There are some concerns in his game, specifically when he plants his feet to throw, using unorthodox techniques in throwing the ball. Wilson will have to brush up on techniques in the off-season to be a complete QB before starting.
Trey Lance
Lance started for the Bisons in 2019 for North Dakota State. Since Carson Wentz won a super bowl with the Eagles and Easton Stick was drafted by the Chargers, the Bisons have been on the NFL scouting radar. Lance was a redshirt freshman when he started, and displayed complete mastery of the system his very first year, which is unheard of.
In his lone season and one game in 2020 at Quarterback, Lance's prowess was on full display. He plays with exceptional athleticism, as seen on game tape, with his ability to get out of the pocket and extend plays with his legs. As a pocket passer, his mobility is evident as well. His footwork is already well-developed; he weaves away from defenders and throws the ball on the run to make plays. Lance is already a threat with his legs and needs to be accounted for in zone read QB running plays.
His velocity on many passes was critical in North Dakota due to weather, and he accurately utilizes his throwing power as a passer. The Bison product already has a nice touch and accuracy on his throws, particularly down the field, but will need to improve his fundamental techniques in planting his feet and going through his progressions in the NFL.
There are concerns about him playing at an FCS school and quality of competition. However, the same was said about Carson Wentz and it was proved wrong early in his career. Lance has all the physical traits and tools to be successful early on his career, but he will need to grow the mental acumen to be a longtime starter in the NFL
Kyle Trask
Dan Mullen deserves the credit for building up Kyle Trask to the prospect he is now. Trask is not a mobile QB, which is highly sought after, he is more of a pocket passer who can weave in and out and still get the ball out of his hands.
It has taken time for Trask to grow into his role, and I believe it will take him time to become a starting QB in the NFL, unless he’s drafted by a team that has the tools and full commitment to make Trask its Franchise QB. He is like a bigger Matt Ryan per Matt Miller, not splashy but can get the job done with the right tools.
The other concern is the quality of weapons Trask had at Florida. With electric weapons, he was able to put up video game numbers. Will he be able to do that with higher quality opponents and mid-level weapons in the NFL? He's used on QB options on short yardage opportunities, and his body frame is an asset to convert on these types of plays. He reminds me of Carson Wentz, particularly on his deep passes, as arm strength is another concern.
The Gator Product is best suited to play in a West Coast scheme that involves high-volume quick passes and short and intermediate throws, with the occasional deep shots to keep defenses honest. If he’s drafted by a team that can provide the tools and scheme to allow Trask to succeed, he will have a good career in the NFL.
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