Many people were not enthused with Zach Wilson pre-draft. Many people weren’t impressed with his Pro Day even though it was impressive. And now more and more people hating Zach Wilson post-draft.
Every year, there “has” to be a rookie the FF community generally despises, mocks, or is down on. Last year was Herbert to a small degree. He didn’t quite meet the Josh Allen level of hate but he was one many criticized. We saw how that evaluation turned out in his rookie season.
In 2019 it was Daniel Jones and Drew Lock. Jones on a bigger level because he was a first-round pick. Now granted, he hasn’t been great. But neither were many QBs after two seasons…and he had no Saquon and got a new coach/scheme last year.
2018 was probably the FF Community’s meanest moment (& I admit I was part of that collective). I regret that stance. Allen was constantly ridiculed. Laughed at. Never Josh Allen etc. For the first two years he wasn’t good – until a Year 3 breakout. And boy, did he break out! Now he’s considered Elite by many that threw big stones and jabbed him with sharp sticks. I’m not there yet with the label “Elite” but he’s definitely a good football player. Josh Allen is now viewed as QB2-5 in all formats. Shame on us. Sorry #BillsMafia. You were right. To be fair to us doubters though, Allen’s numbers in college were suspect. Big Arm. Bad completion percentage. Lots of INTs. Wyoming, not Oklahoma. He sure proved many – and when I say many, I mean most wrong.
So Danny Dimes has this year to prove himself but already the FF Community is 0-2 with Allen & Herbert. Yes, I can go back to 2017 and mention Mitch Trubisky as the whipping boy, who is now a backup. Ok, I’ll give it to you. You’re 1-2. Not a great record in any sport though.
It is now 2021 and although many are apprehensive about Mac Jones most seem to like him if not love him. However, Zach Wilson not so much. He looks too young. Has an opinionated mother on social media, he went to BYU, and he’s now on the Jets. All help intensify the disdain for the New York Jets new franchise QB.
But, why?
Allen’s best season saw a startling 56.0% completion rate, 8.6 YPA, 28 touchdowns but also 15 INTs. And that wasn’t even in his final season at college. I saw validity to that argument. Sorta like Ricky Vaughn from Major League. Big Arm. No Aim. Bust Potential.
But when we look at Zach Wilson’s best season which was his final season there is no comparison. We’ll compare anyway. With the other four that make up the BIG 5 of the 2021 QB Class. So just basic stats first.
Taking everyone’s best stats:
- For Mac Jones, Zach Wilson, and Trevor Lawrence, that’s 2020
- For Trey Lance, that’s 2019
- For Justin Fields, that’s a mixture of 2019/20 (which helps him here)
Mac Jones is the best. And arguably Zach Wilson is second. Trey Lance’s touchdown to interception ratio is the best, but his accuracy is also the worst. Completion percentage along with YPA – Jones and Wilson are comfortably ahead of the rest.
How about play action?
Unfortunately, there is no data on Lance on this or the next stat. Wilson again just behind Jones with Fields and didn’t throw a pick. T-Law, the second coming, is significantly last.
How about the deep ball? The first stat we’ll look at is the percentage of deep ball throws.
Wilson is arguably the best here. Fields and Jones looking good. T-Law is definitely the worst again by a fair margin. So the arguments – “Wilson had an easier schedule.”
Counter Point 1: Lance played in Division II and no one seems worried about that. Wilson had a great one year but the year before wasn’t nearly as good.
Counter Point 2: Let’s insert Joe Burrow into the mix since we’re talking about “a great one year”.
Counter Point 3: T-Law showed little growth over his college career. Should that be worrisome?
But Mac Jones was better than Zach Wilson. Yes, that is 100% true.
But Jones also had first rounders in DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Najee Harris and 2022 day 1 prospect John Metchie.
Wilson had seventh-rounder Dax Milne. If we use the competition argument we need to look at supporting cast. But, he’s going the Jets!
Adam Gase is gone. Wilson has weapons in the revamped Jets offense with Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, and Denzel Mims. New York also has an improved offensive line as well as a stable of RBs including Michael Carter. Add in a new respected coach. The Jets may have been the laughingstock of the league for some time, but they’re trying to turn things around and build around Wilson. The right way.
Just because the Jets have been bad doesn’t mean they will continue to be. So before you get on the Twitter bandwagon like everyone else, do your research. Find out yourself. Form your own opinion. And FFS, have evidence to back it up!
Could Zach Wilson bust? Yes.
Could any and all of the 2021 QBs bust? Yes.
Could all be great? Probably not, but it could happen.
Anything is possible in the NFL. Remember that.
But let’s give the kid a chance. Wilson has played well enough to deserve that chance. I’m not here to proclaim that Zach Wilson is a sure thing. I’m here to proclaim that he isn’t an automatic bust.
If he ends up the best QB in this class, many will be surprised. I won’t. But I’ll be celebrating. And I am also ready if he does fail. Despite being crowned the next best thing since Andrew Luck, instead of everyone thinking that Zach Wilson is going to bust…
Shouldn’t we be more worried about Trevor Lawrence?
Just a thought.
