Analyzing the Top Quarterback Picks in the NFL Draft

  With the NFL Draft on the horizon, now is an opportune time to begin assessing potential quarterback picks. As this position serves as an organizational focal point, this decision must be carefully considered by any team considering taking part. This group of drafted quarterbacks includes veterans with extensive pass attempts. This helps provide an accurate picture of how they will perform in the future. 1. Trevor Lawrence The quarterback position is one of the hardest positions to develop into an elite signal-caller and as such is highly sought after in NFL Drafts. While young players can produce impressive careers at collegiate level, success ultimately hinges on physical traits (larger, faster, stronger or with superior arm strength) as well as being mentally prepared. Lawrence stands out among his peers with an exceptional combination of physical and mental attributes, from prototypical size and strength, to Pro Bowl-caliber accuracy and being able to read defenses like an elite quarterback. His mobility is also a strong suit; he can operate under either pressure from an aggressive pass rush or remain composed in the pocket to evade being rattled by defensive backs. A football player that commands immediate trust has great potential in the NFL. As long as their footwork remains resilient and they avoid forcing throws, there is little doubt they will become an excellent quarterback in time. He still has much to prove; last season he led all quarterbacks with 17 interceptions thrown, yet has shown signs of being an asset for future starters. If he can improve on decision making and stay efficient in the pocket - which are two hallmarks of success for NFL draft selection - then his draft stock could rise rapidly in 2021. 2. Zach Wilson Drafting a quarterback is one of the most impactful decisions an NFL franchise can make and should not be taken lightly by either general managers or team scouts. Drafts often contain plenty of talent at quarterback. Though this class boasts top-tier talent, its future direction remains uncertain. CJ Stroud seems the most likely candidate to emerge into an NFL starting quarterback in our estimation. He boasts considerable arm strength with an adjustable velocity to place the ball anywhere on the field. Furthermore, his accuracy and ability to throw while moving are remarkable and he possesses an amazing understanding of football as a game. Young's size remains a source of worry; he stands just five-foot-10 and weighs only 204 pounds, raising concerns about his ability to absorb contact and sustain injuries; however, Young's athleticism could help him overcome those hurdles quickly. Young is an obvious first-round selection if he can stay healthy and develop his passing skills. A smart playmaker who can run an offense, his mobility and escapability make him versatile enough to step in when plays break down. Though the 2023 quarterback class may not be as deep, it still boasts some top-tier players such as Bryce Young, Will Levis, Anthony Richardson and Hendon Hooker - each offering something special for an NFL team. Let's take a closer look at each; here we will analyze their statistics, scouting reports and advanced data in order to determine who could become one of NFL's future QB1s. 3. Sam Darnold Selecting an NFL Draft quarterback can have long-term repercussions for a franchise. With so many top-level passers on offer, it is crucial that teams carefully assess which ones can contribute at an elite level. Many quarterbacks could make for Day 3 candidates. Their success will ultimately depend on how their development unfolds, but there is ample promise among this group of prospects. Bryce Young is widely considered the top prospect in this draft class and should be seen as its overall MVP. A dual-threat quarterback, Young has all of the talent required to become an outstanding signal caller in the NFL. At first glance, his combination of arm strength, advanced processing speed and athleticism make him a strong contender to go first overall in this year's draft. A high-motor athlete who is difficult to block and who makes big impacts in red zone play. While his build may pose some concerns, team evaluators were quite impressed with how well he handled contact at Florida and are looking forward to watching him in action in the NFL. He is both smart and tough, possessing advanced footwork which makes him dangerous in the pocket or when throwing. Unfortunately, his accuracy needs improvement if he wants to become one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Houston Texans quarterback Brock Purdy was selected in 2016, leaving them in need of another QB, with Levis emerging as an attractive candidate to fill that vacancy next week. With his versatility allowing him to adapt easily across a variety of offenses and his mobility allowing for successful starts he seems like the ideal candidate for their QB spot. 4. Josh Allen No matter the outcome of the NFL Draft, one unavoidable fact remains: No quarterback has ever gone from college mediocrity to Super Bowl stardom in one step. Allen may be an exception, but if he wishes to become a franchise quarterback then further development is needed. He's an extraordinary athlete with all of the tools necessary to become a future franchise quarterback, but developing his talent takes time. Therefore, it is imperative that he finds an experienced quarterback coach who can work closely with him on developing fundamentals and extracting as much value from his game as possible. Allen also boasts a powerful arm and can make big plays with his feet, making him the ideal candidate for teams looking for an mobile and reliable franchise quarterback who can run the ball effectively. An effective quarterback on the move is essential to an offense's success when facing pressure from defenses that rush the ball, yet Allen lacks pocket presence and tends to overreact when pressure arises, missing open receivers and making poor throws due to his poor control of his pocket. Allen could emerge as one of the finest quarterbacks of this class if he can overcome his difficulties and find an experienced coach to guide him. While not as polished as Lamar Jackson, Allen will make an immediate difference and become one of its standout performers. Buffalo Bills fans should celebrate a fantastic draft as Josh Allen could become their franchise quarterback of the future, providing years of opportunity for team growth around him. 5. Lamar Jackson Lamar Jackson was considered an outstanding quarterback during the draft process and widely touted as an elite prospect. His college performance was exceptional, and his ability to avoid rushers is exceptional. Furthermore, Lamar offers explosive running threats and boasts an agile arm - promising prospects who may become franchise quarterbacks over time. However, it should be noted that he still needs work with regard to accuracy and footwork. When throwing, his tendency is to transfer too much weight onto his front foot which causes sailing passes or overthrows. These issues will need to be addressed if he wishes to secure employment with an NFL franchise and should find help in form of a knowledgeable quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. This problem can be rectified through proper coaching and practice. Hiring an exceptional quarterback coach can help improve accuracy and footwork while making them a better passer. Jackson has been an integral member of the Baltimore Ravens since his arrival, and in 2018 was particularly outstanding. He led them into the playoffs while posting an astounding 45-16 record as a starting quarterback. On Day One of the Draft, Baltimore put an end to their long contract dispute with Jackson by offering him a five-year $260 Million contract that includes $185 Million guaranteed - one of the richest deals ever offered in NFL history and finally answering one question that had lingered since two seasons ago. It is a victory for both Jackson and the Ravens; as they can now build their offense around him and take it to new levels. Additionally, Jackson finally received the contract that is rightfully his.