2021 NFL Draft stock watch: Can Justin Fields overtake Trevor Lawrence for No.1 pick?

Ohio State’s Justin Fields made his season debut and showed why he may overtake Trevor Lawrence as the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

No matter what level of football you watch, the quarterback is the most important position on the field. Every franchise looks for the quarterback who can lead their team for the next decade. Two quarterbacks on the stock watch list — Justin Fields and Tanner Morgan — made their debuts this week as the Big Ten began their season.

The other quarterbacks on this list are either trending up — Zach Wilson and Mac Jones — or trending down — Brock Purdy.

Redshirt sophomore Justin Fields picked up right where he left off last season, throwing more touchdown passes (2) than incomplete passes (1) in  No. 3 Ohio State’s 52-17 win over Nebraska. On the other hand, Tanner Morgan struggled in his debut, completing just 58 percent of his passes and throwing an interception in Minnesota’s 49-24 loss to No. 18 Michigan.

Mac Jones continues his meteoric rise up draft boards with stellar performance after performance. Without star wideout Jaylen Waddle, Jones torched the Tennessee defense, completing 80 percent of his passes for 387 yards. Jones wasn’t throwing bubble screens, and swing passes all game either. BYU quarterback Zach Wilson threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns as the Cougars defeated the Texas State Bobcats 52-14.

NFL Draft stock rising

Justin Fields, Ohio State, (1st Round) QB

Much like Dan Marino and John Elway, Fields and Trevor Lawrence will be linked their entire football careers. Both are similarly accurate and can make any throw asked of them. Lawrence and Fields are elite freakish athletes who are legit threats with their legs.

The differences between the two are rather “nitpicky.” Lawrence will risk an interception or a sack; Fields is more likely to take what the defense gives. Fields prefers throwing to the middle of the field over the boundary. The fact that scouts have to decide which quarterback to draft is a great problem to have. Both are mature leaders that teammates rally around.

It does not matter which quarterback goes first; wherever they go, both quarterbacks will be franchise quarterbacks and the face of the league for a decade.

Zach Wilson, BYU, (1st-2nd Round) QB

BYU junior quarterback Wilson continues to move up draft boards. Wilson throws with accuracy and anticipation. Though Wilson has somewhat of a slight frame (210 pounds), there is plenty of room to add weight to that frame. Scouts have to love how Wilson is dominating the inferior competition.

Wilson’s one knock is a lack of elite athleticism, which is to say, Wilson is not a runner. However, what Wilson lacks in raw athletic ability, he makes up for in arm talent and decision making. Wilson does not play around in the pocket with his quick, compact release. Wilson knows where the ball needs to go, and it gets there quickly.

Wilson might not run from pressure, but the feel and instincts are there. Wilson slides and moves away from pressure with an ability to reset those feet to get the ball out as well as any quarterback in this draft.

Mac Jones, Alabama, (1st-3rd Round) QB

It’s time to put respect on both Mac Jones’ and Steve Sarkisian’s names. Jones has proven that he’s no one’s place holder, and Sarkisian has proven to develop quarterbacks. Jones was recruited as a developmental player as a three-star from Florida. Jones has put on weight (34 pounds) and has learned the system. Sarkisian has been present for much of the process.

What you now have is a big, strong-armed quarterback who throws one of the best deep balls in college football. Though Jones is not an elite athlete, he moves well in the pocket. Jones’ best asset, other than arm talent, is accuracy and anticipation. Jones rarely misses receivers and has the ability to “throw” his receivers open.

NFL Draft stock dipping

Brock Purdy, Iowa State, (4th-6th Round) QB

If Purdy continues to play up and down, there is a chance he returns to Ames for his senior season. There is a lot to love about Purdy. The leadership, toughness and moxy are obvious when you put on the tape. What is difficult to find is the improvement. Purdy makes the same mistakes he made as a true freshman and sophomore.

Purdy does not possess any elite traits scouts desire to see at quarterback. Unfortunately for Purdy, anticipation, and accuracy are not part of his game. Thus the inconsistency. In five games this season, Purdy has completed 50 percent or fewer passes in three games and over 70 percent in two. Even with an improved running game, Purdy has not found more consistency in his game.

Tanner Morgan, Minnesota, (4th-6th Round) QB

This was not the debut Tanner Morgan wanted. In addition to completing less than 50 percent of his throws, the Wolverine defense recorded five sacks. Last season Morgan showed good arm strength and decision making. Tanner, like Purdy, does not possess an elite trait. Morgan does possess an NFL-caliber arm, however.

For the rest of this season, Morgan must show an ability to make the same throws without two elite wide receivers. The junior quarterback did not escape trouble very well against Michigan and missed some easy throws as well. Morgan would be best served going back to Minnesota for one more season.

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