NFL Draft 2021: Ranking potential 49ers quarterback targets

BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (1) Mandatory Credit: Rick Bowmer/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (1) Mandatory Credit: Rick Bowmer/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trey Lance, NDSU Bison
Quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Category: Arm strength

Rankings

  1. Trey Lance
  2. Zach Wilson
  3. Justin Fields
  4. Mac Jones

Analysis

As far as arm strength goes, none of the four candidates have an arm you would call a liability. In fact, as far as NDSU’s Trey Lance and Zach Wilson are concerned, they’re very impressive weapons.

Lance has a very impressive fastball and was throwing the ball hard into tight windows at North Dakota State. As far as arm strength goes, Lance has the best arm of the four prospects.

Wilson is only slightly behind Lance in this category, and Wilson has a hard spiral as well. Both players will be among the stronger-armed QBs instantly, and both can be assured their arm strength is an asset.

Ohio State’s Justin Fields has a good arm, too, although it isn’t on the level of Lance or Wilson. He doesn’t have a cannon, but it is strong enough to make all the throws needed at the NFL level and shouldn’t be an issue for teams.

Alabama’s Mac Jones is behind the other three by some margin, but he does have a functional arm that will function best in a West Coast-style offense. He wouldn’t turn off a team like the 49ers that prefers accuracy over velocity.