In the 2021 NFL Draft, there are plenty of options at quarterback. It’s presumed the Jacksonville Jaguars will select Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence with the number one overall pick. Behind Lawrence, there is far from a consensus of who the next best quarterbacks are. BYU Zach Wilson, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, and Alabama’s Mac Jones all have viable claims and vocal supporters.
With so many quarterbacks either available now via free agency or available later during the draft, now is a good time to take look around the NFL and gauge the quarterback climate for all 32 teams.
Let’s define some terms. A team listed below with “ZERO” need at quarterback means the team has a franchise quarterback on the roster who is not an imminent threat of retiring, meaning the team should have zero interest in spending significant draft capital or free agent dollars on the quarterback position. “LOW” means the team has at least one quarterback on the roster who the team has named a starter, but there are concerns about the quarterback in 2021. “MEDIUM” means the team has a franchise quarterback on the roster, but there are questions about that quarterback’s ability to play beyond even the 2021 season. “HIGH” means, despite anything the team might say otherwise, the team has an immediate need for a starting quarterback in 2021.
AFC East
New England Patriots – Cam Newton – HIGH - After coming in to replace Tom Brady last season, Cam Newton started off hot, fizzled off, played through injury, and was eventually benched temporarily - basically, Cam’s career in a nutshell. The Patriots re-signed Newton this offseason on another one-year deal, but they will definitely be looking to improve the position in 2021 if possible.
Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen – ZERO
New York Jets – James Morgan – HIGH - After trading Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers, the Jets are firmly set to draft a quarterback with the second overall pick, presumably Zach Wilson.
Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa - ZERO
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens – Lamar Jackson – ZERO
Pittsburgh Steelers – Ben Roethsliberger – MEDIUM
Cleveland Browns – Baker Mayfield – ZERO
Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow – ZERO
AFC South
Houston Texans – Deshaun Watson – ZERO
Tennessee Titans – Ryan Tannehill – ZERO
Indianapolis Colts – Carson Wentz – LOW
Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence? – ZERO
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes – ZERO
Denver Broncos – Drew Lock – MEDIUM
Oakland Raiders – Derek Carr – MEDIUM - We can never predict what Jon Gruden will do.
Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert – ZERO
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Hurts – ZERO
Dallas Cowboys – Dak Prescott – ZERO
New York Giants – Daniel Jones – LOW
Washington Football Team - Taylor Heinicke? - HIGH - Whether Washington thinks their quarterback is Heinicke or Kyle Allen or someone else, they will likely want to find a better option somewhere
NFC North
Green Bay Packers – Aaron Rodgers – ZERO - After trading up to draft Jordan Love last year, the Packers likely believe they have their franchise quarterback and quarterback of the future on the same roster
Minnesota Vikings – Kirk Cousins – ZERO
Chicago Bears – Andy Dalton – MEDIUM - It should be higher, but it sounds like the Bears are all-in on Dalton
Detroit Lions – Jared Goff – ZERO
NFC South
New Orleans Saints - Jameis Winston - MEDIUM - Winston is only under contract for 2021, so unless they want to worry about signing him again next season, there’s reason to think the team might look for a long-term replacement
Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan – LOW
Carolina Panthers – Teddy Bridgewater/Sam Darnold – ZERO - Regardless of which of the two quarterbacks they roll with this year, they’re not likely to add another just yet
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tom Brady – MEDIUM
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers – Jimmy Garoppolo – MEDIUM - But after an aggressive trade up, it sounds like Jimmy G.’s days in San Francisco might be over soon
Seattle Seahawks – Russell Wilson – ZERO
Los Angeles Rams – Matthew Stafford – ZERO
Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray – ZERO
Of the 32 teams, that’s 3 with a high need, 18 who have zero need, and another ten teams somewhere in the middle.
So where do you think these big name quarterbacks end up in 2021? Will the Saints make a play for a quarterback like Mac Jones? Could the 49ers trade Jimmy Garoppolo on draft day? Could other quarterbacks hit the market and go on the move? Make your prediction in the comments. Send me presents.
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