Zach Wilson’s steady rise up draft boards has the BYU quarterback the heavy favorite to be selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields had long held that position behind presumptive No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence. But Wilson’s surge that began while BYU was routing most opponents last season has continued into the pre-draft process.
Lawrence is still being offered at -5000 by PointsBet and -2000 by DraftKings to be the No. 1 overall pick, currently held by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wilson now holds the second-shortest odds at both sportsbooks (+1000 and +800, respectfully), and is being offered at -167 by DraftKings to be the No. 2 overall pick. Fields is next at +260, followed by North Dakota quarterback Trey Lance (+700).
Fields is still the higher-rated overall prospect by some analysts. His raw talent and toughness is unquestioned after playing through a rib injury to lead Ohio State to the national title game last month.
Most of the concern with Fields is that he comes from a loaded program at Ohio State that featured a bevvy of playmakers around him. However, he’s a dynamic dual-threat quarterback capable of becoming the face of a franchise, drawing comparisons to Dallas’ Dak Prescott with his combination of arm talent and competitiveness.
The New York Jets currently hold the No. 2 overall pick, followed by the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons.
Oregon’s Penei Sewell (-715) is the heavy favorite by DraftKings to be the first offensive lineman drafted. LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase (-150) continues to lead Alabama teammates DeVonta Smith (+125) and Jaylen Waddle (+700) to be the first wide receiver off the board.
Clemson’s Travis Etienne is -200 to be the first running back selected, followed by Alabama’s Najee Harris (+125).
NFL Draft order:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1-15
2. New York Jets, 2-14
3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans), 4-12
4. Atlanta Falcons, 4-12
5. Cincinnati Bengals, 4-11-1
6. Philadelphia Eagles, 4-11-1
7. Detroit Lions, 5-11
8. Carolina Panthers, 5-11
9. Denver Broncos, 5-11
10. Dallas Cowboys, 6-10
11. New York Giants, 6-10
12. San Francisco 49ers, 6-10
13. Los Angeles Chargers, 7-9
14. Minnesota Vikings, 7-9
15. New England Patriots, 7-9
16. Arizona Cardinals, 8-8
17. Las Vegas Raiders, 8-8
18. Miami Dolphins, 10-6
19. Washington Football Team, 7-9
20. Chicago Bears, 8-8
21. Indianapolis Colts, 11-5
22. Tennessee Titans, 11-5
23. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks), 2-14
24. Pittsburgh Steelers, 12-4
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams), 1-15
26. Cleveland Browns, 11-5
27. Baltimore Ravens, 11-5
28. New Orleans Saints, 12-4
29. Green Bay Packers, 13-3
30. Buffalo Bills, 13-3
31. Kansas City Chiefs, 14-2
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 11-5
