Top 10 Dynasty League Rookie Draft Prospects (Quarterbacks)

We’re officially at the midpoint of the 2020 NFL season. With most dynasty leagues having set Week 10 as their trade deadline, now is the time to start making moves to acquire rookie draft picks if you think your team is destined to fall short of playoff glory. Keeping those rookie picks in mind, many SuperFlex leagues have their eyes set on Clemson star Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence, the presumed 1.01 in both the NFL Draft and dynasty league rookie drafts, is the most well-known QB prospect eligible for this year’s draft. However, Lawrence is not the only future star quarterback in this upcoming class, which could see up to five passers selected in the first round. 

1. Trevor Lawrence (Jr.), Clemson

Projected Draft Position: First Overall

Measurables: 6’6, 225 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): John Elway

2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
135	191	70.7	1,833	9.6	17	2	83	178.6

Lawrence is a generational prospect who has somehow surpassed the once lofty comparisons between himself and Andrew Luck. We haven’t seen a player dominate with the technical precision that Lawrence has displayed since the days of John Elway. The Clemson star is a generational talent who should immediately elevate the play of whatever organization drafts him (yes, even the Jets). It’s rare to see a player demonstrate plus arm strength, wise decision-making, advanced touch, and mobility at Lawrence’s size. Yet, he’s checked every box during his three-year tenure as the Tigers starter while leading the team to countless victories. The former five-star recruit makes even the most difficult throws look easy.

this throw won’t be on sportscenter tonight but it’s going to be all over trevor lawrence’s nfl scout film pic.twitter.com/pBoCoPxR60

— Tolley Jenkins (@tolleyjenkins) November 30, 2019

Nitpick his game all you want. Trevor Lawrence has the chance to be a once in a lifetime type of prospect. 

2. Justin Fields (Jr.), Ohio State

Projected Draft Position: Top 3

Measurables: 6’3, 230 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Dak Prescott

2019 + 2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
48	55	87.3	594	10.8	6	0	49	214.0
238	354	67.2	3,273	9.2	41	3	60	181.4

Efficient and Explosive. These are the traits that Justin Fields and his agent should be pitching to NFL teams during the pre-draft process. The Ohio State standout has made his name by completing a high percentage of his passes without turning the ball over in excess and utilizing his legs when need be. To me, Fields is a carbon copy of Dak Prescott. Only Fields is much more polished than Prescott was coming out of Mississippi State.

Film Nerds Ep. 24 – Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson & Justin Fields, QB Ohio St. https://t.co/9Hr33tzASE

— Dynasty Nerds (@DynastyNerds) August 27, 2020

While some will harp on Fields’ “average” arm talent, he’s got enough pop to get the ball where it needs to go within the framework of an NFL offense. He’s an excellent fit for teams like the Bears, Vikings, and Jaguars, as these organizations tend to run West Coast style schemes that cater to passers akin to Fields. He’s a great contingency plan for whichever team misses out on Trevor Lawrence despite falling short of “generational” prospect territory. 

3. Trey Lance (RS So.), North Dakota State

Projected Draft Position: Top 10 

Measurables: 6’3, 230 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Marcus Mariota

2019 + 2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
15	30	50.0	149	5.0	2	1	23	107.1
192	287	66.9	2,786	9.7	28	0	88	180.6

An extremely polarizing prospect due to his limited playing time and the level of competition he has encountered, Lance is expected to be the second or third passer off the board this spring. A gifted runner who has sported a 30:1 touchdown to interception ratio during his time with the Bison, it’s understandable why some teams would see dollar signs when watching Lance play. The redshirt sophomore has displayed a keen eye for spotting open receivers while possessing the arm talent to throw receivers open in certain spots. NDSU utilized Lance’s mobility perfectly in their spread attack, where his performance largely resembled Marcus Mariota’s tape from his days at Oregon. 

Went through Trey Lance against Central Arkansas this afternoon. Not Lance's best film but boy, 60 yards with an easy trajectory. Dude's arm is silly. pic.twitter.com/EaHAqsMPl4

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 5, 2020

Lance has a chance to be a dominant playmaker in the NFL if he can land in the right situation. A team like the Panthers, who have installed an innovative play-caller (Joe Brady) and a viable bridge quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater), could be the optimal landing spot for a Lance. 

4. Kyle Trask (Sr.), Florida

Projected Draft Position: Early 2nd Round

Measurables: 6’5, 240 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Carson Palmer

2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
95	139	68.3	1,341	9.6	18	2	71	189.2

Trask has been rock solid for the Gators since taking over as the starter early on in the 2019 season. He’s a big dude with a big arm who knows how to read a defense. NFL scouts will love Trask’s intangibles, and this could very well push him into the first-round conversation in the spring. Trask doesn’t turn the ball over and consistently makes the right reads while squaring up to deliver some big-time throws from the pocket when he needs to.

In some ways, he’s the surest thing in this class behind Trevor Lawrence. Trask has the potential to be a plug-and-play starter for the right organization, though his overall upside is lower than many of the players ranked below him on this list.

5. Mac Jones (Jr.), Alabama

Projected Draft Position: Mid 2nd Round

Measurables: 6’3, 215 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Derek Carr

2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
139	177	78.5	2,196	12.4	16	2	90	210.3

Jones has worked well with Alabama’s star-studded cast of playmakers this season, posting a stat line that has him favored to win the Heisman. While Jones is not the most physically gifted passer, he is very cerebral and knows how to make winning plays. Like Joe Burrow, Jones optimizes his strengths and knows how to work around his weaknesses.

He may not be a Day 1 prospect just yet, but if he can capture the Heisman, that may soon change. Though we’ve seen passers like Jones flame out in the NFL before (think of A.J McCarron and Kellen Moore — great college quarterbacks who were boosted by their offensive systems and failed to translate their production from college to the NFL). 

6. Jamie Newman (Sr.), Georgia

Projected Draft Position: Early 3rd Round

Measurables: 6’4, 230 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Jameis Winston

2019 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
220	361	60.9	2,868	7.9	26	11	70	145.4

Newman is an extremely gifted athlete who shined for Wake Forest during the 2019 season and seemed destined to explode for the Bulldogs this season. While Newman’s decision to opt-out of the 2020 season won’t hurt his draft stock, it certainly doesn’t make evaluating him any easier. For a player with only one full season as a sample size, this could become problematic for Newman’s camp. It’s not all doom and gloom, as Newman’s 2019 tape showcased his incredible dual-threat abilities, as well as his ability to run RPOs with precision. A team like the Titans or Steelers could certainly afford to take on Newman as a developmental project in the draft’s middle rounds. 

7. Zach Wilson (Jr.), BYU

Projected Draft Position: Early 3rd Round

Measurables: 6’3, 210 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Teddy Bridgewater

2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
144	193	74.6	2,152	11.1	19	2	78	198.7

Wilson has been a revelation for the undefeated Cougars, playing with a fire that this program has needed for a long time now. Scouts have long heralded the junior as a future NFL passer due to his excellent pocket presence and advanced accuracy. Yet Wilson’s performance this season has been far better than either of his previous two campaigns. Completing nearly three-quarters of his throws while averaging more than 10 yards-per-attempt is an incredibly impressive feat for a college QB. To do so for a program like BYU, where few star recruits are drawn, makes this accomplishment even more impressive. 

A tremendous athlete with tangible tools as a passer, Wilson is an ideal understudy for a team like the Saints or Buccaneers, who could afford to coach him up for another season or two until he’s ready for primetime. Though I see him as more of a mid-round prospect now, Wilson could see his stock rise if he and the Cougars can continue to roll. 

8. Brock Purdy (Jr.), Iowa State

Projected Draft Position: Late 4th Round

Measurables: 6’1, 210 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Rich Gannon

2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
120	193	62.2	1,313	6.8	7	3	65	128.2

Purdy has taken a few steps back this season following a breakout 2019 campaign that led many to believe he had what it took to be a first-round pick. While he’s no longer viewed as that level of a prospect — and never should have been, to begin with — Purdy should still be a mid-round selection if he chooses to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. The junior may be best served by staying for another year, as he’s done nothing but hurt his stock this year due to overall inconsistency. In particular, Purdy has struggled with accuracy and ball placement this season, failing to establish much chemistry with his receivers. 

Purdy is a tough player who has done an excellent job leading the Cyclones in the last three years. While Purdy’s lack of size and recent struggles have undermined his case to be an early-round pick, his past performance suggests that there is a special playmaker in there somewhere. 

9. Tanner Morgan (Jr.), Minnesota

Projected Draft Position: Late 4th Round

Measurables: 6’2, 215 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Kirk Cousins

2019 + 2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
28	46	60.9	386	8.4	2	1	45	141.4
210	318	66.0	3,253	10.2	30	7	73	178.7

Morgan certainly benefited from the emergence of Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman last season, cementing himself as one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. While he’s nothing special from a “tools” perspective, Morgan puts some nice touch on the ball and has a great feel for the game.

Though Morgan lacks top-end arm strength and eye-popping athleticism, he makes up for it in the smarts and grit department. He’s got what it takes to be a low-end starter in the NFL, especially if he lands with an organization that can surround him with weapons (Tampa Bay?). However, it would not surprise me if he decided to stay in school for another year. At the very least, Morgan should find himself as the No. 3 quarterback on a team’s depth chart by the time he declares. 

10. Shane Buechele (Sr.), SMU

Projected Draft Position: Late 5th Round

Measurables: 6’1, 210 lbs

Pro Comparison (Ceiling): Case Keenum

2020 Season Stats

CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	LNG	RTG
165	249	66.3	2,226	8.9	16	3	85	160.2

Buechele is a strong candidate to be the Gardner Minshew of the 2021 class. At 6’1, 210 lbs, the SMU standout lacks the size that NFL teams desire in a franchise quarterback while possessing so-so arm strength. While he will likely be drafted to be a backup, Buechele’s experience running a pass-first offense could allow him to flourish if forced into action unexpectedly. The SMU standout has a great QB mind, and he’s a respected leader for the Mustangs for a good reason.

Buechele has the makeup to be a ten-year NFL veteran, even if the bulk of that time is spent in a reserve role. NFL organizations love players with athletic pedigrees like Buechele’s (his father Steve played in the MLB), especially when they’ve got a track record of sterling play throughout their collegiate careers. 

Just Missed The Cut: Kellen Mond (Texas A&M), Micale Cunningham (Louisville), Sam Ehlinger (Texas), D’Eriq King (Miami), Brady White (Memphis), Ian Book (Notre Dame), Dustin Crum (Kent State), K.J Costello (Mississippi State) 

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