Projecting the NFL's rookie passing leaders in 2021
There has been a lot of intrigue surrounding this year’s class of NFL rookie quarterbacks. The top three picks in the NFL Draft were quarterbacks, and another was selected just outside of the top ten. Pro Football Focus College projected this season’s rookie leaders in NFL passing yards. The top three come in a familiar order.
4. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears, 3,116 yards
Fields will have to wait, at least for now, until he becomes the Chicago Bears’ starter. It has been announced that Andy Dalton will open the season as Chicago’s starting quarterback. Fields was selected 11th overall in the NFL Draft after an impressive career at Ohio State. He has shown flashes of his potential throughout the preseason, but Fields will be on the bench when the regular season begins.
Fields finished third in 2019 Heisman voting after completing 67.2 percent of his passes with over 3,700 total yards and 51 total touchdowns. Last season, Fields had 2,400 total yards and 27 total touchdowns. Fields adds a different dynamic to an offense with his ability to run the ball. That is something that Dalton does not do. Fields is undoubtedly going to see the field this season, and he could become Chicago’s starter very quickly if Dalton struggles. Despite being the fourth quarterback taken, Fields could be the best NFL rookie quarterback if given the opportunity.
3. Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers, 3,274 yards
The 49ers’ quarterback situation is one of the NFL’s most interesting storylines. San Francisco traded up to select Lance third overall in the NFL Draft. Jimmy Garoppolo is on the roster in addition to Lance. Garoppolo has had issues staying healthy throughout his NFL career. When he is on the field, he has shown to be a capable quarterback. Both quarterbacks have received first-team reps in recent days.
Lance only threw 318 passes in his collegiate career at North Dakota State, but his career was a good one. He threw for 2,947 yards, 30 touchdowns and just one interception in college. Lance ran for 1,325 yards and 18 additional touchdowns. Even if Garoppolo starts the season at quarterback, NFL teams don’t trade up to third overall to take a rookie quarterback and sit him on the bench all season. Both quarterbacks could have a role throughout the season.
2. Zach Wilson, New York Jets, 3,951 yards
The Jets parted ways with Sam Darnold in the offseason and drafted Wilson second overall in the NFL Draft. Wilson broke out last season for BYU, throwing for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, completing 73.5 percent of his passes. He also ran for 10 additional touchdowns, finishing eighth in Heisman voting.
After the Sam Darnold experience failed in New York, Wilson is hoping to become the Jets’ franchise quarterback. Wilson has impressed recently in the preseason after a shaky start to his professional career. In last Saturday’s preseason game against Green Bay, Wilson completed 9-of-11 passes for 128 yards in the first half. Wilson looks the part, and he could have a huge season on a team that figures to be passing the ball a lot. He could find himself as the NFL rookie quarterback with the most passing yards if the Jets fall behind in most games.
1. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars, 4,046 yards
To no surprise, the first overall pick sits at number one on this projection. Lawrence is the most highly touted rookie quarterback to come into the NFL in recent years. He threw for 10,098 yards and had 107 total touchdowns during his three seasons at Clemson, finishing as the Heisman runner-up last season.
Lawrence will be without former Clemson teammate Travis Etienne this season, but he still has some weapons to play with. Laviska Shenault, Marvin Jones, DJ Chark, and James Robinson still give Lawrence a solid core of weapons to work with. Expectations are sky-high with Lawrence, and he is looking to show that he is ready to dominate the NFL as he did college football.