Examining the QBs: exemplar pro comparisons

By Scooter_McG

In the previous article by razoreater I outlined my pro comparison for Justin Fields as Robert Griffin III. Not RGIII as he became, but RGIII the draft prospect. However, RGIII is probably a bit unfair as a comparison as it suggests I think Fields’ career arc will follow the same path. Which got me thinking it might be interesting to provide my exemplar pro comparisons for each of the top QBs in this year’s draft.

It is important to note that no player is exactly the same as anyone else, and therefore no pro comparison is perfect. I also do not have sufficient insight to the player’s mental make-up beyond what is in the public domain, and how these players handle the mental and off-field side of the game will play a large part in their success (or lack thereof). These are just based on my impression of how each of these players play, and similarities to pro QBs that have come before.

Trevor Lawrence: John Elway

Lawrence has been touted as the golden child since he walked on campus at Clemson, and “Tank for Trevor” has been a catch cry for down-trodden franchises for three years, ever since he took Clemson to a National Title as a freshman. He has all the tools you could possibly want in a franchise QB, with a big arm, accuracy, poise, athleticism, intelligence and charisma.

I have seen a few comparisons given for Lawrence, including Andrew Luck, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and Ryan Tannehill. However, the one I think most resonates for me is John Elway. Like Elway, Lawrence is coming into the NFL as the most heralded of a quality QB class, and is seen as a can’t miss, generational prospect.

Zach Wilson: Brett Favre

Wilson is one of the most natural throwers of the ball I have seen. He can throw from pretty much any arm angle accurately and with pace, and easily toss the ball on the move 50 yards downfield and hit his target in stride. He’s an excellent athlete in terms of body control and movement, with decent speed. And he has yet to meet a throw he isn’t willing to take on... sometimes to his detriment.

I have seen people compare him to Mahomes, which I can understand. But for mine the player he most reminds me off is Brett Favre. Both guys are risk takers that can make ridiculous throws seem easy, and both guys also have a cockiness to them. But this can also lead them to taking unnecessary risks and sometimes play a little out of control, leading to the “gunslinger” label. This may seem like too lofty a comparison, but then these are meant to be exemplars.

Justin Fields: Deshaun Watson

So RGIII is the comparison I have given previously, but as I said in my intro, that is based purely on them as draft prospects. Not what I think Fields will become.

As an exemplar for Fields, I think Deshaun Watson is a good comparison. Fields has a stronger arm, but both players are very accurate to all levels of the field, both players are willing to hold the ball to let plays develop, and both players have the ability to extend plays with their legs. However, both players can also take a lot of sacks as a result of trying to do too much and not always taking what the defense is giving them.

Trey Lance: Steve McNair

Ever since I started watching film on Trey Lance, this is the pro comparison that has kept coming to mind. I have seen a few others too, like Dak Prescott, Josh Allen and Andrew Luck, but McNair is the one I keep coming back to.

McNair played QB with a physicality that was uncommon for the position. He was tough, smart and poised under pressure. He had a big arm that could get plenty of zip on it even when he couldn’t set his feet. He was athletic and strong, able to extend plays, break out of would-be tackles, as well as pick up yards on the ground when plays broke down. And he played his best when the game was on the line. McNair also struggled throughout his career with inconsistent accuracy (especially early in his career), something which Lance has struggled with in college.

Interestingly, McNair was the third overall pick in the 1995 draft. Could Lance be the third overall pick too?

Mac Jones: Drew Brees

Mac Jones gets compared to Kirk Cousins (and Jimmy Garoppolo) a lot, in particular by 49ers fans. I can understand why this happens, but to me these comparisons are unfair given they are also often used as a suggestion of outlining the best he can be.

For mine, the exemplar pro comparison here is easy. While in the latter years of his pro career he was almost entirely reliant on short passes, for the majority of Drew Brees’ career he was an excellent deep and intermediate ball thrower despite having very average arm strength. And the reason for this was that he threw with great anticipation and accuracy. He was also exceptional working the pocket, evading pressure and staying in rhythm. And, of course, as is the case with most Hall of Fame worthy QBs that have needed to rely on their brains due to lack of athletic traits, he was excellent at diagnosing coverages pre-snap to get his team in the right play. All of these are traits Jones showed in college.

I’ve seen Tom Brady thrown around, as well as Peyton Manning, and I can understand why. Those players have won and found success in much the same way. But for me, the similarities to Brees are greater.

So that is my exemplar pro comparisons for the top 5 QBs. I’d be interested to hear other comparisons you think are better for these players, as well as any comparisons you have for other players.