By Marvin Moore August 15, 2023
Celebrated as one of the deepest and most talented in NFL history, the 2021 quarterback draft class heads into the upcoming season with high expectations, intrigue, and question marks.
A record-setting eight quarterbacks were taken in the first three rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, including three signal-callers selected with the first three picks. However, after two seasons, the jury remains out on all but one of these heralded field generals.
The top overall pick, Trevor Lawrence, led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a division title last season and seems poised to join the ranks of upper-tier quarterbacks in 2023. The former Clemson standout nabbed his first playoff win a year ago and has established himself as a franchise quarterback in a very short time.
Here is how I stacked them up with the 2023 regular season just a month away:
1. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 1)
Lawrence had a breakout season in 2022 when he led the Jaguars to their first division title and playoff win since 2017. The former first-team All-American completed 66.3% of his passes for 4,113 yards and 25 touchdowns to earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl. The 23-year-old has an array of offensive weapons and is the top quarterback in one of the league’s worst divisions. Lawrence will throw 30-plus touchdowns this season and lead Jacksonville to its second consecutive AFC South title.
2. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (No. 11)
Fields quietly posted 17 touchdown passes last season while becoming the third NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. The 24-year-old playmaker tallied 3,385 total yards and 25 touchdowns and became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for a score in six straight games. Fields will have an upgraded supporting cast this season, including talented wideout D.J. Moore, and will tally 4,500 total yards and 35 combined touchdowns in a breakout campaign for the Bears.
3. Mac Jones, New England Patriots (No. 15)
Jones was the national media darling in 2021 but fell hard last season with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Alabama product struggled mightily in 2022 and was benched in favor of fourth-round rookie Bailey Zappe. An immobile dropback passer with subpar arm strength, Jones is a game manager with the skill set of a backup instead of a franchise-caliber quarterback. The soon-to-be 25-year-old will open the 2023 season under center for the Patriots, but Zappe will again replace Jones in the starting lineup in Week 7.
4. Kyle Trask, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 64)
Trask is locked in a competition with former top overall pick Baker Mayfield for the Bucs’ starting gig. However, the former second-rounder struggled in the preseason opener and has a slim chance of being named the Week 1 starter. The former Florida Gator has only attempted nine NFL passes but posted a 17-5 record in college with 7,386 passing yards and 69 touchdowns. Trask will serve as Mayfield’s backup until Tampa Bay falls out of playoff contention and turns to the 25-year-old with an eye on the future.
5. Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers (No. 3)
Lance arrived in the Bay area after the 49ers traded their first-round picks in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and their third-round pick in 2022 to move up in the draft. Although the 23-year-old is battling Sam Darnold for the backup job behind Brock Purdy, all signs point to San Francisco trading the former North Dakota State standout. Lance possesses the talent to be a productive NFL quarterback but will not get the opportunity with the 49ers. However, the team that acquires the dual threat will get a future franchise signal-caller.
6. Davis Mills, Houston Texans (No. 67)
Mills started 26 games in two seasons while racking up 5,782 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. However, the former Stanford gunslinger will serve as a backup for C.J. Stroud this season.
7. Zach Wilson, New York Jets (No. 2)
Wilson seemed destined to be an ex-Jet after two disastrous seasons that saw the highly-touted quarterback post 15 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions. But the 24-year-old has become an understudy for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the heir apparent to the starting job once Rodgers hangs up his cleats in 2-3 seasons.
8. Kellen Mond, Cleveland Browns (No. 66)
Mond enjoyed a successful collegiate career with Texas A&M with 9,661 passing yards and 71 scoring passes in 46 games. The former third-round pick has yet to get the opportunity to showcase his skills at the NFL level and is currently the Browns’ third-string quarterback.
