The Group of Five. They've been talked about for so long it's almost cliche to mention them. But they've been linked for a reason.
They're all good in their own way and, given the right surrounding cast and environment (always vital to development but rarely talked about), each player could be a good starting QB in the NFL for many years.
You know the names:
Trevor Lawrence
Zach Wilson
Justin Fields
Mac Jones
Trey Lance
All five will taken in the first round come a week from Thursday. All five should be gone within the first 12 picks, and it wouldn't be a shock to see them all go top 10 or top 8. Yeah, they're that good, and teams are that thirsty for their next franchise savior.
But where do they rank when it comes to the Patriots, who are just as desperate for a franchise quarterback but will never let it appear that way?
Aye, there's the rub.
Here are our thoughts on the subject (we won't spend much time on the first two because the Patriots don't have a shot at them):
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson, 6-5 1/2, 213 pounds, 4.75 in the 40
The total package in every way. Has been groomed for this and has always won, dating back to high school. Rare size and skill traits. Has the build of a classic dropback passer, a big arm with touch short and long, and the ability to throw on the run and make plays with his legs. Accuracy can wane at times and he doesn't love to be crowded, but he's not close to his ceiling yet. Quick release and can whip the ball with little movement to all parts of the field. Processing speed and his intangibles on and off the field are off the charts. Draft position: Top 5.
2. Zach Wilson, BYU, 6-2, 214, 4.75
Isn't a conventional QB, but he's a natural QB. Has rare instincts for the position — they don't call him the Mormon Mahomes for nothing. Tremendous off-platform thrower and playmaker. If the play breaks down, he can make something happen. Ball explodes out of his hand to all areas of the field, despite his lack of size. Most QBs can throw on the run to one side — he can throw on the move to all areas of the field. Never appears rushed. Seems to be in total control. Big concerns are how he will react to constant pressure — BYU's line did a great job this season — and how long he can take a beating at his size. Some look at him as a one-year wonder, but Joe Burrows was a similar player. Outstanding prospect if he can be durable. Draft position: Top 5.
3. Mac Jones, Alabama, 6-2 1/2, 217, 4.83
This is obviously where things get interesting for the Patriots. I didn't want to believe the Jones hype, especially with the talk of the 49ers taking him third overall ... it's Alabama, after all ... but after watching all his throws from the past season, I'm a believer. Yes, he played for a great team and coach. Yes, he only really had one year of production. Yes, he doesn't move very well at all. But, man, he can play. Probably the factors that separate him more than previous college pocket passers are his quick release, his feet in the pocket and his mind. People around the program swear he's a borderline genius with great recall. And as opposed to Justin Fields and Trey Lance, Jones gets rid of the ball quickly. There's very little wasted movement when he throws. His feet are tremendous. He has a great rhythm to the way he gets back and then he can create movement if he has to. Great feel for the rush. His accuracy is uncanny and it's not just because of the offense and his weapons, although that certainly helps. The comparison has been made by others, and nobody really wants to hear it and it's a bit sacrilege, but the comparisons of Jones to a former QB around here are not that far off. The movement within the pocket, the great accuracy and ability to manipulate coverage, the competitiveness, the processing speed pre- and post-snap ... it's in the same ballpark. Similar to that other guy, can look like a fish out of water when asked to evade a rush or run away from a defender. Also, can float balls if he can't get his feet under him — you have to worry about how he'll fare with a subpar team around him. That's why an established team like the 49ers would be perfect ... going to, say, the Texans would be a disaster. Draft position: Top 5.
4. Justin Fields, Ohio State, 6-2 1/2, 228, 4.46
Covered most of Fields this weekend, and there was a reason I chose that photo — you see how he drops the ball before he's going to throw. That has to be cleaned up in the NFL ... his motion can be too long at times. Has all the physical tools, mind and leadership to be the total package in the NFL, he just needs some refinement. But his legs will allow him time to catch up ... similar to a Russell Wilson and Josh Allen.
If Fields is an instant star in the NFL, it will be because of the Justin Herbert Effect. I was guilty of it last year with the Chargers QB (so was Greg Cosell). I had a decent grade on him, I just questioned how quickly he would get there — like many others did (And Tua could still be better when all is said and done). "Biggest concern and the question that needs to be answered by NFL teams has to do with his processing — it’s slow. There’s very little anticipation in his play. There are times when he gets tunnel vision and doesn’t see wide-open players. Reminds of Josh Allen and Ryan Tannehill in this way — a better athlete and passer than a quarterback." That was accurate off his college tape. But we all misjudged that it was more the fault of the Oregon scheme than Herbert — he was capable of more than he was allowed to show. Here's the thing, my biggest issues with Fields are almost exactly the same. And people at Ohio State will say Fields was only doing what he was coached — that he was supposed to look deep first and then come back to short and intermediate routes. If that's all it is, then we're all going to be guilty again of underrating Fields and his ability to make an instant impact. But just going off what we can see in his tape, Fields is clearly behind the other three when it comes to fit to the Patriots scheme. Draft position: Top 8.
5. Trey Lance, North Dakota State, 6-4, 227, 4.60
Will be 20 on draft day and will turn 21 on May 9. Has played just one game in the past 15 months and it was not a good one. ... Started just one season, but led the Bison to a national championship without throwing an interception. ... Oozes talent. Is a large kid (hands are a little small at 9 1/8th) with a big arm to match and is very strong as a runner. Has a slight hitch in his delivery but that should be easily cleaned up in time. Looks like a natural dropping back and in the pocket, and has a rocket arm to all areas of the field and has advanced touch for his age. Can make plays when the pocket breaks down. There are still a lot of questions about how good he'll be with a huge leap in competition, but given time and space to develop, he could be the best in the class. It would be a mistake to rush him ... just let him sit for at least a year, and then reassess. Comes from a pro-style system where he's already used to being under center, carrying out playfakes and operating out of two-back sets. Draft position: Top 12.
Coming next: The next QBs in the pecking order.