As the 2024 NFL Draft looms, it is appropriate to remember that drafting a quarterback is by no means an exact science. While many fans are very hyped about certain prospects of this years draft, most of the time there’s only one or maybe two special quarterbacks in a draft. Some of them even come in much later rounds.
On Monday, Zach Wilson was traded from the New York Jets, the team that drafted him No. 2 overall. All but one team from the 2021 NFL Draft has now traded their top first round quarterback for almost nothing in return.
Where Are The 2021 First Round Quarterbacks
It is truly wild that all of the first round quarterbacks other than Trevor Lawrence will now be backups. They were all traded for almost nothing after being selected in the top picks of the 2021 Draft.
Per Yahoo’s Charles Robinson:
“4 of the 5 first round QBs from the 2021 NFL draft have now been traded.
Let that sink in for this potential 5/6 1st round QBs draft…”
It is truly crazy that all of these guys, that were thought of to be the future of NFL franchises, were traded so quickly from their teams.
The Jets as they were finalizing the Zach Wilson trade: pic.twitter.com/GqE0KqwDXs
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) April 22, 2024
Will 2024 NFL Draft Be Similar
While these quarterbacks may all have the chance to have a comeback at a certain point, most of them seem to be backups in the NFL. The jury is still not out on Justin Fields and he may be able to make something happen with his new team in Pittsburgh.
Fields and Jones have shown at times that they may be able to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but it does seem that Lance and Wilson may be backups in the league for a long time to come. Jones, who sits behind the only non bust of that year in Lawrence, will probably not see any time baring and injury or a trade.
Hopefully this years quarterback class will not be similar to the 2921 season sat all. There are many prospects that are being highly touted as franchise guys like Caleb Williams, Jalen Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr. While many of them show a lot of promise, history says that only two of these guys will be elite quarterbacks in the NFL if any.
Picking a quarterback is an art and not a science, and the fit has to be perfect for real success. Hopefully, this years prospects will be an anomaly, and that many of these guys can make a real impact in the league.