Scout’s Notebook: Top 5 quarterbacks for the 2021 NFL Draft

1.Trevor Lawrence* 6-6, 220, Clemson

High school: Cartersville High (Georgia)

Strength: A complete quarterback, good size, powerful accurate arm and he is also agile with good running ability. A pro-ready passer, will put the ball into tight windows. A solid decision maker who avoids turnovers. At 6-6, he has excellent field vision as well.

Weakness: Benefits from a strong supporting cast with receivers that get open quickly. In the NFL he will need to work through more progressions, an area he needs improvement on. He will also need to adjust to the faster speed in pro football.

2020 regular season stats: Att. 168 Cmp. 115 Yds. 1481 TD’s 13 Int. 1

2. Zach Wilson* 6-3, 210, BYU

High school: Corner Canyon in Draper, Utah

Strength: A nice size quarterback, Wilson has a quick release with no wasted motion. A solid accurate thrower on intermediate passes, puts the ball where receivers can catch it. Can also make plays with his legs extending plays for first downs. Zach has a lot of up-side potential.

Weakness: Deep throws are a bit inconsistent, he gets it there but accuraty suffers. He has had some injury problems, surgery on shoulder and hand. Wilson is also at a Mormon School so if he decides to go on a mission following college it could delay his progress, but that would be a big surprise.

2020 stats: Att. 336 Cmp. 247 Yds. 3692 T.D.’s 33 Int. 3

3. Justin Fields* 6-3, 220, Ohio State

High school: Kennesaw in Harrison, Georgia

Strength: Nice size quarterback with good arm strength and accuracy, can fit the ball into tight windows. A strong downfield passer. He can throw the deep ball with accuracy, dropping it right into the receivers hands who doesn’t have to break stride. A solid passer without a lot of weakness as a thrower. Had a big game against Clemson in the college playoffs.

Weakness: Mostly played out of the shotgun, needs to learn to take the snap under center. Needs to improve pocket awareness, handling the rush and blitz much better. Could anticipate receivers getting open instead of waiting for them to get open. Clemson defense had almost no pressure on Fields.

2020 stats: Att. 164 Cmp. 115 Yds. 1481 T.D.’s 15 Int. 5

4. Tray Lance** 6-4 226 North Dakota St.

High school: Marshall in Marshall, Minnesota

Strength: Has shown good poise in the pocket, doesn’t get rattled. Stands tough in the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield. An accurate passer with good ball placement, throws the deep ball over the top. Nice size and is tough, can also run when the play breaks down.

Weakness: Still raw, played against lesser college competition. He lacked a lot of playing time against top college talent. Will need to adjust to the speed of the NFL. Needs to show steady development, still a work in progress. Team played only one game in 2020.

2020 stats: Att. 30 Cmp. 15 Yds. 149 T.D.’s 2 Int 1

5. Mac Jones* 6-1 205 Alabama

High school: Bolles High in Jacksonville, Florida

Strength: An accurate passer, consistent. Good techniques, footwork and mobility in the pocket. Gets the ball out quickly, has a quick release, no wasted motion. Makes good decisions, throws with anticipation, throws to a spot. Has taken the snap under center and in the shotgun.

Weakness: Lacks zip on some throws, only average arm strength, deep ball tends to hang at times. Not much of a runner, won’t extend many plays with his legs. Lacks ideal size for an NFL quarterback. A good quarterback who is surrounded by a lot of talent which makes him look better.

2021 stats: Att. 327 Cmp. 250 Yds. 3739 T.D.’s 32 Int. 4

The Senior Bowl is still on and will be played at the University of South Alabama Stadium in Mobile on January 30.

The East-West Shrine Game has been canceled.

As of now 113 underclassmen have declared for the 2021 NFL draft.