BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is getting a lot of buzz ahead of next month’s NFL draft, and rightly so, given the importance of having a franchise quarterback. If Dak Prescott can get a four-year, $160 million deal with $126 million guaranteed despite a career playoff record of 1-2, and when the Chicago Bears go decades without a solid franchise quarterback and see their team toil in mediocrity, then we can understand why the position has so much importance for a team. While Trevor Lawrence is the clear #1, could Zach Wilson go second?
Several draft analysts think so, so let’s take a closer look at his profile and its potential implications for online betting on the NFL this season.
NFL News: 2nd Overall 2021 Pick — Why is Zach Wilson on Top?
Wilson has elite arm strength
Wilson can get the ball to any part of the field at any time. Whether he is rolling out, throwing from a clean pocket or flinging it back across his body, the ball zips out of his hand each time. Not only can he find angles, he can generate enough velocity to get the ball to the receiver before the defender can adjust. He frequently makes throws to the far hash to receivers isolated on the back side when his peers settle for reading on the front side, throwing 50-50 balls down the field or scrambling. Wilson has the arm strength and the vision to deliver the ball for big plays in areas that others either fail to see or cannot reach.
Wilson’s mobility will keep him out of trouble
Wilson has drawn comparisons to the likes of Kyler Murray and Johnny Manziel (the on-field college skills, not the drama) because of his ability to scramble elusively. If you look at his straight-line speed, his numbers are not elite, and you won’t see him burst out for lengthy runs, like you see Daniel Jones do. However, he is light on his feet, which keeps him ready to get out of the face of pressure, and he has an explosive first step. He can frequently make the first defender miss on a scramble or designed run. He’s not quite up there with the likes of Jalen Hurts or Lamar Jackson, but he will do damage with his feet.
Wilson has the mental strength to deal with adversity
Many NFL quarterbacks have all of the physical gifts but lack the mental tenacity to put up with the demands of the game. Why do the Philadelphia Eagles have a potential hole at quarterback, if Jalen Hurts does not pan out? Because Carson Wentz could not deal with the pressure that comes with rehabbing an injury and dealing with a fan base that expects to win. Wilson has shown, at least to this point, that he can deal with chaos on the fly. While Wentz dealt with pressure this season by holding on to the ball way too long and getting strip-sacked (or by forcing bad throws into closed windows and giving the ball away), Wilson has shown much better decision-making when pressure is coming. He will stay in the pocket and absorb big hits to get throws done, and when it is third and long, he finishes off passes. It is that confidence that will serve him well when adversity comes.
Wilson’s anticipation and timing need to improve for the NFL
Every rookie has areas of growth, and Wilson’s area has to do with a need to improve his anticipation. He would rather wait to see the receiver make his break and then zip the ball to him than throw the ball where the receiver should end up, before the receiver has gotten into the break. Wilson’s off-platform throwing is solid because of his arm, which means that his footwork can get lazy. When a quarterback’s footwork is not linked to route timing, the ball will be late. He got away with that in college, but NFL defenders are faster, and that speed difference will lead to interceptions.
Overall, Wilson is an excellent prospect with the chance to make a difference immediately. If he could end up with a team that has the patience (and the existing quarterback) to mentor him for a season, or even half a season, that could make a considerable amount of difference in his growth.
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