2021 NFL Draft: Jets, Panthers fill QB need in three-round mock draft
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 2nd overall
Zach Wilson. 2. player. BYU. 30. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB
The 2021 NFL Draft really starts with the New York Jets at No. 2 overall and this decision really comes down to two players, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. The Jets can act like they are going to move forward with Sam Darnold as their franchise quarterback all they want, but the truth is that they are just looking to drive up his trade price. This team will take a quarterback with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Personally, I would lean Fields with this pick. It is certainly close and both players deserve serious consideration (as does North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance). That being said, I would be betting on the upside and playmaking talent of the Ohio State quarterback. When it is all said and done, however, I believe that Wilson will be the pick.
Wilson is coming off of an incredible 2020 season at BYU where he completed 73.5% of his passes for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Wilson was also a dynamic playmaker on the ground for the Cougars, running the ball in for 10 touchdowns on the year. Simply put, he is an exciting playmaker at the quarterback position who undoubtedly has superstar upside at the next level.
Wilson is a tremendous improviser at the quarterback position who does a great job of escaping the pocket when needed and throwing the ball on the run. He does not have an elite arm but shows enough arm strength to hit nearly any throw on the field and can drop down and throw accurate passes from unique arm angles when needed. Wilson also throws the ball with fantastic anticipation and can hit receivers on a dime at any level.
With his unique natural playmaking ability and quick decision-making, Wilson feels like a great fit for new Jets’ offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. LaFleur is expected to run some sort of variation of the Kyle Shanahan offense in New York and Wilson feels like a player who would have a ton of success in that system. This is not an easy decision to make for the Jets at No. 2, but in the end, Wilson is a player who certainly makes sense for the team.