Zach Wilson NFL Draft 2021 Prospect Profile: Dual Threat Likely Top-2 Pick

This is The Game Day’s Zach Wilson NFL Draft Prospect Profile. After you read our Zach Wilson Scouting Report, Marcus Mosher’s first 2021 NFL Mock Draft for Round 1 and see where Wilson is predicted to be selected.

Zach Wilson NFL Draft Prospect Profile

Zach Wilson: Measurables

• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 210 lbs.
• Class in Final Season: Junior

Zach Wilson: Scouting Report

Pros

• Elite arm strength the ability to make every throw and fit in tight windows
• Quick release with good timing and anticipation
• Has athleticism and mobility to extend plays
• High football IQ and awareness to make the right play

Cons

• Faced weaker competition in FBS Independent teams
• Broke out as a Junior, but that was his only season with strong production
• Can be a bit inconsistent with his accuracy
• Needs some improvement with pocket presence

Zach Wilson NFL Outlook

Wilson burst onto the scene this past season, throwing for 3,692 yards (11.0 Y/A), 33 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a cannon for an arm along with a quick release, which can be a lethal combination in the NFL. While he only has one year of strong production in a conference with weaker competition, Wilson possesses the necessary traits to become a franchise quarterback.

Wilson will enter the league as a polished prospect with the ability to start immediately in Week 1. His significant improvement in his junior season demonstrates that he has the work ethic and drive to improve as a player.

Wilson’s mobility allows him to turn broken plays into chunk yardage. He is also a weapon in the red zone, having rushed for 10 touchdowns in his final season at BYU. Wilson played in a scheme that emphasized motion and misdirection and ran the offense at a high level. He has the moxie and confidence required to be a franchise quarterback.

Zach Wilson NFL Comp

Matthew Stafford: Like Stafford, Wilson can make every NFL throw. Both quarterbacks are 6-foot-3, but Stafford was heavier as a prospect. They are also both vocal leaders with poise under pressure.

Wilson is a more mobile version of Stafford with less of a track record. Like Stafford at Georgia, Wilson was able to thrive at BYU despite the underwhelming supporting cast.

Wilson has a quick release, just like Stafford. Wilson had a better peak season, but Stafford had better overall production.

Zach Wilson NFL Team Fits

New York Jets

The Jets have a new head coach in Robert Saleh, who brings over Mike LaFleur, brother of Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur, as the new offensive coordinator.

The LaFleurs come from the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay coaching tree, which employs an offensive system that Wilson explicitly mentioned as a potential scheme fit. The Jets have moved on from Sam Darnold, as it appears that they are enamored with Wilson’s arm and mobility. Wilson would provide Saleh with the opportunity to start fresh with a new franchise quarterback in Year 1 of his rookie deal.

San Francisco 49ers

The Shanahan offense obviously puts San Francisco in play,  especially since they’ve traded up to third overall in the draft.  It’s clear that they want to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback, but it’s hard to see Wilson falling past the Jets at second overall.

Atlanta Falcons

New head coach Arthur Smith has experience in bringing out the best from mobile quarterbacks, helping Ryan Tannehill to back-to-back career years in Tennessee. It looks like it’s time for the Falcons to rebuild and move on from Matt Ryan, but the team seems content with moving forward with their veteran.

This is a good spot for Wilson’s development as a passer. He would get to throw to Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. He’s a more polished passer than Trey Lance, so perhaps the Falcons will view the former as the better fit for their new-look offense. I

Detroit Lions

New head coach Dan Campbell gets a chance to replace Stafford with a more mobile version at quarterback. Wilson has impressive arm strength, which will enable the Lions’ pass-catchers to continue to play with a quarterback who can make every throw, just like Stafford. The Lions can use the draft picks they acquired in the Stafford trade to move up to lock in Wilson as their new franchise quarterback.

Wilson can sit and develop behind Jared Goff for a year. He would get to work with new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, who helped guide Justin Herbert to a stellar rookie season as Los Angeles Chargers head coach.

Wilson would also have two young weapons in tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back D’Andre Swift, but the Lions would have to trade up to land him.

Zach Wilson NFL Draft Prediction

Round 1, Pick 2: New York Jets

Wilson looks destined for Gang Green, with pundits like our own Marcus Mosher projecting him to go second overall to the New York Jets.

Wilson’s impressive breakout season and physical traits appear to have pushed him to QB2 in this draft, especially since the Jets have now dealt Darnold to the Panthers.

This would be a prudent move because the Jets can restart their rebuild with a new coaching staff and franchise quarterback on a rookie deal.

Drafting a first-round quarterback is the ideal start for a new regime, so new head coach Robert Saleh will be happy to have a new strong-armed franchise QB in Zach Wilson.

Zach Wilson NFL Draft Bets

BetMGM currently lists Zach Wilson at -1100 to be selected second overall and +1400 to go first overall. This makes it a virtual lock that he’ll be headed to the Jets. At the same time, it’s never worth it to lay -1100 on any bet, no matter how likely it appears to be. Trevor Lawrence is -10000 to go first, so it’s also a waste to bet on Wilson to take that spot.

Even though we’ve seen surprise quarterback first overall selections in the past, like when the Browns selected Baker Mayfield in 2018, that was a draft with no clear-cut number-one. Lawrence has been considered the top QB in this class for the last two years. Add in the fact that there’s no combine this year and it’s hard to see Wilson taking over as the top pick. 

Now that you’ve read our Zach Wilson Draft Prospect scouting report, stay tuned after the 2021 NFL Draft for his impact on betting lines, odds and tips for his likely NFL team.

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