Who Will Go No. 1 in the 2021 NFL Draft?
By Brooke Brottman
As we approach Week 12 of the NFL season, it feels like the 2021 NFL Draft is right around the corner.
The race for spots in the NFL Playoffs is heating up, but fans also have their eye on the next wave of talent coming into the league.
While the quarterback position always defines draft classes, there’s much more to love about the 2021 NFL Draft. Whether you’re looking for a playmaking receiver, a shutdown cornerback, or want someone who helps you win in the trenches, it can be found with this upcoming class.
As of now, Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields are headlined to go No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the 2021 NFL draft. We can expect a lot of teams will be in the market for signal-callers to build around this offseason, with the possibility of four quarterbacks being taken in the top-10 selections of the draft.
The easiest pick in any NFL draft, is the No. 1 overall pick. Fortunately for the Jets, who are on pace to finish 0-16, are in a prime position to land their next franchise quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence has been the presumed no. 1 pick for the last 3 years. (Sean Rayford/AP)
Lawrence thrives in big moments, showcases the ability to make accurate throws, and has all kinds of physical talent. Even though Lawrence has dropped from being the favorite for the Heisman, I believe he will still go No.1 and Lawrence will be a New York Jet. Trevor Lawrence made a successful return to the field for Clemson on Saturday after missing time due to COVID-19. The Clemson quarterback threw for more than 400 yards and remains the likely No. 1 overall pick to the Jets. There's no question that the Jets would select Trevor Lawrence if they landed the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Sam Darnold once showed promise, but the truth is that he has regressed over the years. He looked lost in the opener versus the Bills, and then he threw two pick-sixes at Indianapolis.
As of now, it looks like the Jacksonville Jaguars will have the No. 2 overall pick.
There really isn’t a huge difference between Lawrence and Fields. Some might argue that Fields’ three-interception performance against Indiana was a negative. Ultimately, it was a game he can learn from and he was still able to put up three total touchdowns and 378 yards of offense. Fields brings impressive arm strength and touch to the table, all while being an electrifying running threat.
Justin Fields (1) had been a top quarterback in all of college football since becoming a starter. (USA TODAY Sports)
Fields is everything Jacksonville’s offense, organization, and fan base needs. So I think Fields will go No. 2 overall. Justin Fields originally committed to Georgia, which was a program that already had a talented, young quarterback in Jake Fromm, so he was blocked from starting. However, he was able to transfer to Ohio State, where he dominated in his first season in 2019 while his strong play continued into the shortened 2020 season as well.
The NFL Draft allows the teams to infuse their rosters with new talent. Some players will provide an instant boost to the team that selects them; others won’t. But the chance that drafted players will lead their new clubs to glory makes teams compete over talent, whether in the first round or the last.
Anything can happen when it comes to the NFL draft, and soon we shall see who will go No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Zach Wilson quarterback for BYU has been excellent so far in 2020. Wilson attended Corner Canyon High School in Utah. As a senior, he passed for 2,986 yards and 24 touchdowns and also rushed for 752 yards and eight touchdowns. This year for BYU, Wilson has thrown for 2,152 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 74.6% of his throws. In a blowout victory over Western Kentucky on Saturday, the QB threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another touchdown, completing 18 of 32 passes for 224 yards that currently put him in the fifth spot for the Heisman.
You can follow Brooke on Twitter @Brottman_10.
