In our latest Audacy 2021 NFL Mock Draft, five quarterbacks - Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones - are selected in the first seven picks.
While that would fill needs for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers, it would leave the New England Patriots, Washington Football Team, Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers among the potentially quarterback-needy teams that could still be searching for a lottery ticket at the position.
So let's take a look at some of the tier-2 quarterback options in the 2021 class:
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
Kellen Mond played collegiately at Texas A&M.(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)In four seasons with the Aggies, Mond tossed 71 touchdowns to 27 interceptions, and even added in over 500 rushing yards in the 2019 season. Former NFL quarterback and current NBC analyst Chris Simms, who traditionally has made strong evaluations at the positions, has Mond ranked as his fourth best quarterback this year, above Justin Fields and Trey Lance. ESPN's Todd McShay projects that Mond will land with the Washington Football Team with the 51st overall pick.
Kyle Trask, Florida
Kyle Trask played collegiately at Florida.(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Trask didn't play extensively until his redshirt junior season, but he racked up 68 touchdown passes in his final two years at Florida. If he's ever going to be an NFL starter, he's likely to have to pay his dues in a similar manner. Jordan Reid of The Draft Network says that Trask is best suited be a "developmental quarterback that could lead to being an eventual lower-tier starter." ESPN's Todd McShay projects that Trask will be taken with. the No. 52 pick by the Chicago Bears, though if Reid's evaluation is right, that may be a bit high.
Ian Book, Notre Dame
Ian Book played collegiately at Notre Dame.(Tom Pennington/Getty Images)Book finished in the top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting in 2020, after a season that saw him toss 15 touchdowns and run for 485 yards. Unfortunately for Book, he's probably unlikely to be able to emulate that success at the NFL level. Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network does cite Book's ability to be accurate passer "in the short and intermediate field," but also brings up concerns about his ability to throw the deep ball, something that's increasingly important in today's game.
Jamie Newman, Georgia
Jamie Newman is an intriguing option this NFL Draft.(Vasha Hunt/USA Today)Technically, Newman finished his collegiate career at Georgia, but considering he opted out of his senior season, he never actually played a game in Kirby Smart's program. Newman spent the three prior seasons at Wake Forest, the final of which saw him toss 26 touchdowns, while rushing for 574 yards and six touchdowns. COVID-19 prevented him from getting a chance to build off of that season, but Newman should still intrigue NFL teams. While Joe Marino of The Draft Network concedes that Newman is raw as a passer, there's no doubt that 6'4, 229 pound quarterback is a tremendous athlete. Marino says that "if everything comes together, Newman has the makeup of an NFL starter," which will probably intrigue a few teams in the mid-to-late rounds.
Davis Mills, Stanford
Davis Mills played collegiately at Stanford.(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Mills only started 14 games during his collegiate career because of a multitude of injuries, meaning he has the the same concerns that come with someone like Trey Lance's limited playing time, without the same elite physical tools of someone like Lance or a proven ability to stay on the field. Still NFL Media's Lance Zierlein does say that Mills possess "good size and plenty of arm talent," even if he lacks mobility and extensive experience at the position. He probably won't go above Mond or Trask, but it's not hard to see him being selected before Book or Newman.
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