2021 will be the year of the rookie QB... maybe
(Tony Avelar/Associated Press via bleacherreport)
Rookie quarterbacks come and go in the NFL, annually. A lot of times they don’t make much impact on that first initial season, and sometimes they hit. More often than not, it's a learning experience, and rightfully so. The NFL is a much bigger landscape of skill in regards to the defenses they’re facing, and to a lot, maybe even most, it takes a season or two to develop.
This year it may be a different story. There are 5 rookie quarterbacks in the NFL I’m eyeing up, as are the majority of fan bases and beat writers across the NFL Universe. I truly believe these 5 have the opportunity to hit. Hit doesn’t mean be unstoppable, or win the division; it simply means that they are succeeding in what their respective NFL franchises drafted them for. Which in my eyes is promise, upside, and a franchise quarterback.
Let’s visit the 5 I would say have the potential to really do their thing and prove their draft capital was worth it for their respective teams.
5) Mac Jones (Patriots)
(Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group via bostontribune)
Mac Attack, 15th overall, 6,100 yards passing in 3 years at ‘Bama, with 56 touchdowns and 7, yes 7, interceptions. The kid is overwhelmed with potential. He may not be as mobile as some wish he was, but he isn’t stagnant, just not flashy. I fully believe that when he takes over for Cam, and he will sooner than you think, it’ll be a smart move for everyone involved. Maybe he doesn’t have the weapons, maybe he doesn’t look like a star. WHO CARES. They drafted him 15th overall for a reason, and Cam is on his last leg. Bring on the Mac Attack.
4) Zach Wilson (Jets)
(Photo by Steve Luciano, Associated Press via deseret)
Ah yes, the one that looks like he just passed his driver’s license test, this kid can sling the ball? Uh, yes he can, and in fact, he’s damn good at it. So good that the Jets decided to take him 2nd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. 3 years at Brigham Young (“Where James?”), with a grand total of 7,652 yards, 56 TD’s, and 15 interceptions. Let’s look at the competition in NY shall we? Mike White, James Morgan, and Josh Johnson. I’m pretty sure you haven’t a clue who any of them are. Truth is, the Jets are Wilson’s team, and he’s looked good this Pre-Season. He is going to be better than most expect him to be, and in a few years if New York ever gets him some actual developed weapons besides Jamison Crowder, the sky's the limit for this kid.
3) Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)
(AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton via bleacherreport)
But... but... James, he was the number 1 overall draft pick. He’s a generational talent. He’s Trevor Lawrence. Truth is, I just don’t care what they say. He’s a Jaguar first off, a dying franchise, one that just can’t figure it out. The guy has an immense amount of talent, I’m not denying that. But if you look at the surrounding cast and the new coaching staff, I’m just not sure Lawrence is set up for success. I think down the road that might change, it should, he threw for 10,000 yards in 3 years at Clemson, but I think Jaguars fans are going to be incredibly frustrated in year 1.
2) Justin Fields (Bears)
(Photo by Eileen T. Meslar-USA TODAY Sports via pff)
Andy Dalton is the only thing that stands in the way of Fields being great, and according to Head Jokester - eh I mean Coach Matt Nagy - Dalton starts week 1. Dalton also says that “It’s my time.” Which I fully believe to be very short lived. After watching Fields in the Pre-Season and seeing Training Camp videos, how do you not start this kid? Being a Vikings fan, I’m terrified knowing my Vikes have to play Fields two times a year for the foreseeable future. He’s mobile, he's fast, his accuracy is there, and he just has the will to not give up. It’s going to be a blast watching him throw the ball for what I believe will be a very long time. Sacrifice Dalton the first 3 weeks (Rams, Bengals, Browns) and then bring him in week 4 to torch the Motor City Kitties.
1) Trey Lance (49ers)
(Tony Avelar/Associated Press via bleacherreport)
I might be partial to Lance, I don’t know why honestly, there’s just a swagger about him that I find likable. Trey Lance isn’t even the starter, or so it seems from the Niners coaching staff, but if they don’t announce his starting job before the season starts in 2 weeks, I think it happens sooner than halfway through the season. That’s nothing against Jimmy G, who I think is an underrated quarterback in the NFL. The guy has a record of 26-9, that’s a 74% winning percentage. Truth of the matter is though, you went out in April, and drafted Trey Lance 3rd overall at the NFL Draft. You drafted him to be great, and you drafted him to be the franchise quarterback. Maybe he has too small of a sample size after playing only 3 years at NDSU, but there is just something special about him.
Bring on the NFL Regular Season, good luck to all of your respective teams out there, unless you’re a Packers fan, then go pound sand.
SKOL
- JD