NFL Mock Draft Projects BYU Quarterback Zach Wilson As First Round Pick By Saints
Oct 7, 2020, 5:19 PM | Updated: Nov 2, 2020, 3:13 pm
BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (Courtesy of BYU Photo)
(Courtesy of BYU Photo)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A recent NFL mock draft slotted BYU quarterback Zach Wilson as a first round selection by the New Orleans Saints.
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CBS Sports‘ Chris Trapasso listed Wilson as the fifth signal-caller taken off the board in his 2021 NFL mock draft.
Wilson is listed at the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 mock draft by the Saints.
Trapasso wrote that New Orleans might “swing for the fences” in drafting Wilson and have the junior quarterback become the team’s successor to Drew Brees instead of current Saints and former BYU QB Taysom Hill.
“Get to know Wilson, He’s played as well as any quarterback in the country to begin the season,” Trapasso wrote. “He’s thrown only 11 incompletions in three games — and is only 21 years old. He’s showcased high-end scrambling ability, a big arm, and good downfield touch. The Saints swing for the fences here”
BYU QB Zach Wilson➡️potential 1st Rd QB in the 2021 NFL Draft@PFF_Mike pic.twitter.com/ZeC831PKl1
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 7, 2020
The CBS Sports mock draft has Wilson listed as the No. 8 quarterback in the draft class and No. 60 overall.
The mock draft isn’t the only love Wilson has received as a potential first round pick. Recently, Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner echoed similar sentiments about the junior QB.
🗣️ @PFF_Mike is ready to start talking about BYU QB Zach Wilson as a possible 1st RD Draft pick pic.twitter.com/I6MQFpWI5C
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 6, 2020
The last quarterback drafted out of BYU was John Beck in 2007. Beck was selected by the Miami Dolphins during the second round.
Ironically, Wilson has spent time training with Beck in California during the last couple of off-seasons.
Zach Wilson in 2020
Through the first three games of the 2020 season, Wilson has led the Cougars to a 3-0 record and a No. 15 rank in both the AP and Coaches polls.
Onto the next. pic.twitter.com/mvAau1OAlf
— Zachary Wilson (@zachkapono) September 29, 2020
He’s thrown 949 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception with a completion rate of 85 percent. He’s also ran for 41 yards and five touchdowns.
In 21 career games at BYU, Wilson has thrown for 4,909 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions with a completion percentage of 66 percent. He’s added 429 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
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What about Taysom Hill?
Hill recently entered his fourth professional season with the Saints. During his time in New Orleans, he’s served as a backup quarterback to Drew Brees. This season, Hill is the Saints’ No. 2 quarterback behind Brees and ahead of former Heisman trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston.
During the off-season before the 2020 season, Saints head coach Sean Payton praised Hill on multiple occasions. Payton said that the former BYU great will be and “outstanding” NFL quarterback.
The Saints also signed Hill to a two-year contract extension worth $21 million.
Saints' QB depth chart:
1. Drew Brees.
2. Taysom Hill.
3. Jameis Winston.https://t.co/L8NEOFCSaa— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 8, 2020
Prior to his time in the NFL, Hill starred at BYU. During his time with the Cougars, Hill posted a completion percentage of 58.2 percent. He accounted for 6,929 yards and 43 touchdowns through the air. On the ground, Hill ran for 2,815 and 32 touchdowns.
