2021 NFL Mock Draft: The insatiable hunger of the quarterback market
By Ian Higgins
With the headline-trade of the 2021 NFL Draft within this NFL mock draft, the Detroit Lions acquire their heir-apparent to stop-gap quarterback Jared Goff by acquiring the New York Jets second-overall selection. Swapping first-round selections as well as giving a second-round selection and their first-round selection in next year’s draft, the Detroit Lions can afford to expend such assets thanks to the acquisition of two first-round picks from the Los Angeles Rams.
Sticking with Sam Darnold for an additional season, the New York Jets gain the opportunity to further build out their roster in order to hopefully offer a better day one situation for the rookie quarterback inevitably arriving in the near future to save the franchise.
Zach Wilson. 2. player. 50. Scouting Report. QB. Brigham Young. College Stats
The generally agreed-upon number two quarterback of the class, BYU’s Zach Wilson displays many of the exact qualities desired within a modern NFL quarterback. Strong-armed, highly-mobile, and capable of delivering into tight windows off-platform, Wilson exemplifies the new-era of quarterbacks entering the NFL with their inherent ability to create both yardage and time with their legs to take some of the weight off of the rest of the offense.
Still needing time to develop and acclimate to the speed of the NFL, having a year to spend as the backup to Jared Goff will hopefully ensure Wilson is not rushed into the fray and able to learn and match the speed of his own game to that of the NFL. Paying a hefty price for their franchise quarterback within this NFL mock draft, the Detroit Lions will need to capitalize on their personnel management over the next two years in order to offer Wilson a competitive situation upon earning the starting job.