2021 NFL Draft: Bettors Love Justin Fields, Not Hot On Mac Jones

The NFL Draft is always a mess at the quarterback position. That’s even more true when there’s so many at the top of the draft. Back in 2018, the last time five quarterbacks went in round one, draft boards were all over the place. Most analysts didn’t have eventual numbers one pick Baker Mayfield at the top of their mocks until the day of the draft. Behind Mayfield, analysts were all split on the rankings of Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, and Lamar Jackson. Each one giving a different take on the prospects. That’s happening again in 2021.

Trevor Lawrence is the clear number one prospect, but behind him is anyone’s guess. Zach Wilson has surged as quarterback two in the media, leading to -250 odds to be the second quarterback off the board. However, bettors have a much different look at the field. 61% of bets placed on the second overall pick over the past week have been placed on Justin Fields, +250.

In that same vein, Mac Jones, +1800, has seen a major boost in the media in recent days. The Alabama quarterback has seemingly been creeping up boards and depending on the analyst could be as high as quarterback two. Bettors see him as the definitive quarterback five in the class. Only 6% of bets placed on the third quarterback off the board over the last week have been placed on Jones. Zach Wilson is the bettors’ favorite to be the third quarterback off the board with 53% of bets being placed on him over the last week.

Trey Lance, +400, also doesn’t challenge Wilson or Fields much in the betting, but he’s a clear tier above Jones in bettors’ eyes. Lance received 19% of bets to be the third quarterback off the board. The North Dakota St. product has had a quiet draft season, but that will likely change as his Pro Day is the first of the four quarterback prospects behind Lawrence, March 12th.

2021 NFL DRAFT 2nd QB OFF THE BOARD ODDS