You can view the previous article in this series discussing strategies in fantasy football start-ups here.
The 2021 NFL Draft class will leave the same type of impact on the NFL as the 2004 class did, in both real life and fantasy football. We will experience a QB shift like we haven’t seen in a very long time. Five college prospects have a real shot of being drafted in the 1st-round of the NFL Draft.
The 2021 class has been overshadowed by Trevor Lawrence and it isn’t fair. This class has talent that can instantly start in the NFL along with top QB upside. Banking on Lawrence and not researching the rest could prove costly for not only NFL GMs but dynasty GMs in fantasy football as well.
When scouting college QBs I look at five things that translate the best to the pros.
- Mechanics/Footwork
- Accuracy to all parts of the field
- Pocket awareness/mobility
- Off Balance Work
- Arm Strength
These five traits translate the best to the pros in terms of success and production. I’ll be breaking down each of the five QBs and just how they will succeed in the NFL.
1. Justin Fields
Justin Fields is the best QB in the class. His growth from 2019 to 2020 shows that Fields can improve on his weaknesses and strengthen his strengths. We saw his pocket awareness improve, as he was able to maneuver in and out of the pocket with ease this past season.
His change in movements with his hips and feet allowed him to deliver the ball with more ferocity to all parts of the field. His whip on the ball improved, his vision and ability to read defense improved; therefore his stats improved.
He did see some struggles with interceptions in what was a bad week at Indiana, but outside of that he kept his interceptions down over the course of the season.
He isn’t the best rusher, nor does he offer the highest rushing upside. But his ability to operate a pocket even when the play has broken down should result in a chunk of scrambles that could break for a big play.
Justin Fields brings the most complete profile in the NFL, and will be my QB1 in fantasy football dynasty leagues.
2. Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence has been the consensus #1 prospect in this class since 2018. He’s been touted as the best prospects since Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. I don’t believe this is entirely true.
While Trevor Lawrence is good, he doesn’t have a complete profile. He has a strong arm and can operate the pocket extremely well, but was never really tasked to address the deep 3rd of the field. When he did, the receivers had to make adjustments and frankly; had to bail out the quarterback. He never hit them in stride, and they weren’t right in the receivers lap.
He needs to improve on his deep ball in-game, and needs to be able to read all 3 levels of the field.
Trevor Lawrence does have some upside, and is still a great prospect. This QB class is deep, and with Lawrence dropping to 2 it isn’t a knock on his game whatsoever. Except the deep ball, of course.
Trevor Lawrence should pair up with Urban Meyer in Jacksonville, and with an offseason of prepping I’m sure Meyer will improve some parts of Lawrence’s game.
3. Trey Lance
Trey Lance is the most intriguing prospect in class. He’s an elite scrambler that can create plays through power reads, draws, and even getting out of the pocket. He has a special ability to utilize his legs in a way that only a few can. His elusiveness and decision making keeps defenders on their toes.
Lance also has a beautiful deep ball; one that is really pretty to watch fly through the air. Not only is his arm an absolute cannon, he puts a gorgeous touch on the ball that lands right where the receiver needs it.
His lack of experience does worry me, but his ability to beat defenders all over the field with both his legs and arms should translate well to today’s NFL. Most scramblers at a young age are like deer in headlights, ready to take off. Lance doesn’t strike me that way. I believe he has good feet placement in the pocket and stays sturdy while going through his reads.
His fundamentals are textbook, which is rare for a player with his play style. Not only that, but his release is one of art. He does have an elongated delivery, but makes up for it with a quick release. It might look like he throws the football like a baseball here and there, but he gets the ball out quick and fast, with a compact spiral.
Trey Lance will be a 1st round pick, and it’ll be interesting to see the NFL team he gets paired with. A coach like Kyle Shanahan could work wonders with such a unique talent like Lance. Keep your eyes on Lance as the season progresses.
4. Zach Wilson
I’m not the highest on Zach Wilson. The NFL has seemed to moved him to the consensus QB2 behind Lawrence, but he sits at QB4 for me. Zach Wilson has an absolute cannon of an arm, but doesn’t let his play develop like he should.
His ability to make NFL-level throws at times is spectacular, but his pocket management and mental processing are a real risk. He’s not the best at scanning the field, or going through his progressions. Despite that, he has shown he can overcome those difficulties with his ability to make plays happen.
Wilson has the most to work on to become a real NFL QB, but also has that magic that we don’t always see from a college prospect. His highlights are fun to watch, but breaking down each play shows the real faults that Wilson struggles to overcome.
5. Mac Jones
Mac Jones had an amazing season at Alabama. He won the national championship in his first year as the full-time starter. Jones excelled with the arsenal of weapons he had, alongside Heisman winning WR DeVonta Smith and RB Najee Harris.
Jones works the pocket well, and also goes through his progressions a decent rate. His one issue in my opinion is his accuracy, while a strength of his is that he can deliver just about any ball within 25+ yards on a rope.
Jones’ upside is capped by his ability to extend plays, or lack thereof. Once the play, and the pocket break down, Jones struggles to get outside the edge and make things happen; ultimately capping his league-wide upside.
Jones has proven he can excel behind a loaded OL and excellent skill players, and with the late 1st-round consensus, he might find himself in an ideal situation early on.
This is the deepest QB class since 2004, and can have the same if not bigger affect on the league than their predecessors. This QB class will always be heavily involved in many fantasy football leagues this season, and a focal point in dynasty leagues. I’m excited to watch these young guys work next year, and more excited for a league ran by a few of them.
As always leave your thoughts below!
