2021 NFL DRAFT: Best Fits for Zach Wilson
What a season it has been for Zach Wilson.
The junior who grew up just 40 minutes from the BYU campus put a finishing stamp on his 2020 season, slicing up UCF in the Boca Raton Bowl 49-23 as the Cougars finished the improv season 11-1.
I thought this was going to be one of the more exciting bowls on the slate (especially since the SEC decided that essentially every single one of its teams needed to be in a bowl game), and I was half right. BYU fans were thrilled, but this was not a good game.
Wilson cut through the UCF defense like swiss cheese. 26/34 passing for 425 yards and five total touchdowns. The junior turned the bowl game into a yawner real quick, the Cougars cruised to a 35-7 at halftime and a 49-10 lead two possessions into the second half. With their foot on the gas pedal, the Cougars averaged over ten yards/play through three quarters.
Is this hot performance at the end of the year enough to push Wilson to the QB2 spot for the 2021 NFL Draft? Perhaps. I think it’s a toss-up between Wilson and Fields, with the latter still having the grand stage of the College Football Playoff to make a lasting impression.
Where is the best fit for Wilson? Let’s examine.
New York Jets: Ok Fit
Currently slotted in the number two pick, there is still one big question for the Jets: Are they going to be willing to move off of Sam Darnold now that they won’t get a chance to draft Trevor Lawrence? I don’t think we have a clear answer for that yet. I think it depends on who the Jets choose to replace Adam Gase after the season ends. Could the Jets benefit more from Penei Sewell or Ja’Marr Chase to better help the quarterback they already have? Possibly. The Jets might have the toughest pick in the draft, maybe they trade out of it for a team willing to overpay for the services of Wilson or Fields.
Carolina Panthers: Good Fit
The Panthers are primed to scoop up whichever top quarterback the Jets and Jags don’t. Teddy Bridgewater has been solid in his first season under Matt Rhule, but don’t think for a second that the Panthers aren’t looking for their quarterback of the future. Wilson would be a great fit with all the skill position players in place in Carolina, and if the Panthers can keep OC Joe Brady around for another season, watch out.
Atlanta Falcons: Bad Fit
As I sit here typing this, I don’t think the Falcons are going to move off of Matt Ryan. There are too many other holes on the Falcons roster to justify drafting a quarterback of the future, especially since Ryan has a cap hit of over $40 million next year. If there’s a team willing to trade for Ryan and his contract, the weapons in place would be great for any young quarterback, I just don’t think that will be the case.
San Francisco: Good Fit
Who wouldn’t want to play under Kyle Shanahan? The 49ers don’t seem committed to keeping Jimmy Garropolo around past this season, so the 49ers could look to trade up and try and snag a young QB like Wilson. With a great running game and a young receiver in Brandon Aiyuk, this would be an ideal situation for Wilson to show off that dynamic right arm.
New England: Good Fit
Another trade-up possibility, the Patriots can’t be too thrilled with the QB play they have had this season. While quarterback isn’t the only problem in New England, a game-changing talent like Zach Wilson could go a long way to helping the Patriots move on from Tom Brady. The Pats are currently slotted at the 15th pick, so they would need to trade up to get a chance at Wilson. What’s your move Bill?
Writer
-By: TJ Mathewson