2021 NFL Draft: Quarterback Prospect Rankings and NFL Player Comparisons
Rankings of the top Quarterback prospects available for the 2021 NFL Draft.
This 2021 NFL Draft Quarterback Prospect Rankings list will continue to be updated if and when players on the board move up or down.
For more 2021 NFL Draft Coverage and info check out the below:
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Lawrence has everything you want in a Top end NFL Draft Quarterback Prospect; size, mechanics, arm talent, accuracy, leadership, and poise. He’s possessed these tools since his Freshman year.
Grade: 1st Overall Pick
Projection: 1st Overall Pick
Player Comparison: Aaron Rodgers
2. Trey Lance, North Dakota State
Remarkably, Trey Lance has yet to throw an Interception in his College Football Career. He can make plays with his legs, throw on the run, and has good accuracy. He’s a Franchise changing Quarterback who will hear his name called early in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Grade: Top 5 Pick
Projection: Top 10 Pick
Player Comparison: Carson Wentz (Minus the injury concerns)
3. Justin Fields, Ohio State
Everything with Fields is physical tools. He’s a great scrambler when things break down and he has the strength, and size to fight for extra Yardage. Fields is an above-average thrower. He has a bit of a slow release and unorthodox mechanics. He’s no doubt an elite Prospect though and a Franchise Player.
Grade: Top 10 Pick
Projection: Top 5 Pick
Player Comparison: Cam Newton
4. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (*NEW EDITION TO BIG BOARD)(Projected first-rounder for 2022. Needs to stay in School)
What’s not to love about this kid? Best arm in this entire draft. Extremely athletic and fast, beautiful mechanics, but is still raw. He needs more experience, but look out, because, in 2022, Ridder could be in contention for a Top 3 Overall Pick.
Grade: Mid-1st Round Pick
Projection: If he comes out early in 2021, Ridder could sneak into early round 2. However, it would be best for him to come out in 2022.
Player Comparison: Lamar Jackson
5. Kyle Trask, Florida
Trask broke out hugely during his Junior Season for Florida in 2019. He took over the reigns from Feleipe Franks after an injury caused him to miss time. Trask stepped in and never gave back the Starting job. Trask has a lot of similarities to Alex Smith in that; both are great leaders, have great mechanics and quick releases, both have mobility, though they don’t rely on their legs unless things break down, and both are suited for a West Coast short passing game. Trask doesn’t have elite-level Arm Strength. His arm is okay. It’s good enough to make most NFL throws.
Grade: Late 1st — Early 2nd Round Pick
Projection: Top 20 Pick
Player Comparison: Alex Smith
6. Mac Jones, Alabama
More than likely Mac Jones won’t be able to hold on to the Starting job for Alabama in 2020 if there is a College Football Season. The Crimson Tide seem keen on Starting Freshman Phenom and the future of their Program, Bryce Young. I can’t knock them for that. However, Mac Jones’ talent cannot be overlooked.
Jones throws a beautiful Deep Ball that is deadly accurate. He steps into his throws and goes through his progressions. I wouldn’t be surprised if he skyrockets up Draft Boards, exceeds expectations, and holds off Bryce Young to have a Breakout season in 2020.
Grade: 2nd Round Pick
Projection: 5th — 6th Round Pick
Player Comparison: Kirk Cousins
7. Jamie Newman, Georgia
Newman is a great athletic Quarterback that can make some nice throws outside the pocket. He has terrific arm strength, is a good leader, and would be a nice pick-up for a team that’s Drafting in the 2nd round. His inconsistent down-field accuracy keeps him from being a legitimate early 1st Round prospect.
Grade: 3rd Round Pick
Projection: Late 1st — 2nd Round
Player Comparison: David Garrard
8. K.J. Costello, Mississippi State
Costello is transferring from Stanford to Mississippi State. He seemed to be a legitimate late first-round prospect after his impressive Red-shirt Junior year in 2018. That quickly faded with an injury-riddled Red-shirt Senior Season. With a strong Senior season, Costello can get back into the spotlight and attract the attention of NFL Scouts. He has a big arm, good size, and some mobility. It’ll be interesting to see where he goes in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Grade: 3rd Round Pick
Projection: 3rd — 4th Round Pick
Player Comparison: Marc Bulger
9. Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
If Morgan was a few inches taller, he’d probably be rated a little higher. His lack of height, and Arm Strength, are his undoing. Everything else, from his mechanics, release, mobility, athletic ability, and short to medium accuracy, are on point. Morgan is a hard Quarterback Prospect to not like when you put on the tape. Unfortunately, his ceiling is more of a “stop-gap” Starting Quarterback and an above Average Back-Up. Nothing wrong with that.
Grade: 3rd — 4th Round Pick
Projection: 4th — 5th Round Pick
Player Comparison: Case Keenum
10. Nick Watson, Tiffin University (Division II)
You rarely see a Division II Quarterback on any NFL Draft Prospect Rankings list, let alone the Top 10. However, Watson has had some buzz from the Scouting community as early as his Sophomore Year, and for very good reason. The only thing keeping me from putting Watson higher on this list is the fact that he plays for Division II, and that means he most likely won’t get a real chance to show what he can do at the NFL level.
I hope there is a team smart enough to give this guy an opportunity. Watson is small, but he has more than enough arm strength, is extremely accurate, fast, athletic, and can make throws on the run. If you watch the tape, he most definitely looks like a legitimate NFL Prospect. He’s by far the best Division II Quarterback in College Football.
Even if Watson played for a mediocre Division I Program like Kansas, he’d be much higher on this list. I’m interested in seeing if he’ll get a shot in the NFL.
