The quarterback debate in the NFL’s 2021 draft is not which signal caller will be the No. 1 overall – Trevor Lawrence of Clemson is the overwhelming favorite to go first to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A former Super Bowl-winning quarterback, however, said he would prefer BYU’s Zach Wilson over Lawrence. Wilson is among a group of defenders who are also projected as first-round talent, including Justin Fields of Ohio, Trey Lance of North Dakota and Mac Jones of Alabama.
“Honestly, yes. (Yeah) very close. We’re sort of splitting our hair here a little bit, but I (would assume Wilson instead of Lawrence) actually, ”Joe Theismann told host Amanda Guerra during an appearance on“ CBS Sports HQ ”during Super Bowl week.
Theismann won a Super Bowl with Washington in the early 1980s and was the 1983 NFL MVP. He has worked in sports broadcasting since his retirement.
Wilson has been seen as a possible choice for the New York Jets in selection # 2, along with Fields, if the Jets decide to leave Sam Darnold, who recently ended his third NFL season.
Theismann explained what makes the double threat Wilson so attractive.
“I love the way he plays the ball. It is difficult to teach. We saw people learn to improve a little, ”said Theismann. “He has all the skills; he has a living arm, he has a strong arm, he can touch him, he can shoot. He’s 6-3 – he’s not a small guy. He moves with great athletics. I think that, seeing him play as a defender, he looks really ready. ”
Lawrence, who took Clemson to a national championship as a freshman and was runner-up to the Heisman Trophy in 2020, is designed to be linked to Jacksonville. There, he would be trained by former Utah coach Urban Meyer, who was recently hired to replace Doug Marrone.
Theismann also discussed why he would choose Wilson over Lawrence.
“Trevor Lawrence is certainly a big boy who knows how to run well, surrounded by incredible talent at Clemson. It’s a little bit like Mac Jones in Alabama. They are surrounded by incredible talent and sometimes you look at that talent and say, ‘Did it help the position a lot?’ ”Said Theismann. “I think in the case of Trevor, being a young guy and as strong and physical as he is, he will have a great opportunity to learn, as will Mac and all the young people, Justin Fields, also, from Ohio.
“I just think that going into this particular draft, Zach checks all the boxes for me. Personally, my choice. My man. It looks like the Jets may be the ones to take you at 2, which potentially puts Sam Darnold on the market or elsewhere. “