LOCALS IN THE NFL
Three-Time Super Bowl Champ ‘Not So Sure’ He’d Draft Trevor Lawrence Over Zach Wilson
Feb 16, 2021, 1:55 PM | Updated: 1:58 pm

BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (Courtesy of BYU Photo)
(Courtesy of BYU Photo)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth said he’s “not so sure” that Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence is a better pick than BYU’s Zach Wilson in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Now a radio host with 104.3 The Fan in Denver, the former Denver Broncos standout praised Wilson’s game during a segment on his show “Schlereth and Evans.”
“I watched some Zach Wilson film this weekend because it was 18 below zero and I don’t have anything else to do. I’m not so sure that I wouldn’t take Zach Wilson over Trevor Lawrence,” Schlereth said.
The two-time Pro Bowl guard, who played with Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, went on to list multiple things that impressed him about the BYU gunslinger.
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Zach Wilson’s Film
Some of Wilson’s qualities that Schlereth listed included:
- Throwing Mechanics
- Balance
- Quickness
- Ball Velocity
- Accuracy
- Ball Placement
- Touch
“I like all his throws, a bunch of deep throws,” Schlereth continued.
As he watched the film, Schlereth was “really impressed” by Wilson’s accuracy to his BYU’s receivers in tight windows.
“There wasn’t ‘Hey, here’s the throw’ and the guy’s got seven yards of separation,” Schlereth said. “I’m talking about down the sideline, 35 yards in a milk carton window. Bam. Complete again. His athleticism, His footwork. All that stuff. I was really impressed.”
Zach Wilson Over Trevor Lawrence
Schlereth isn’t the only former NFL great to suggest that Wilson should be drafted before Lawrence.
Earlier in February, former NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion quarterback Joe Theismann told CBS Sports that he’d take Wilson first.
“Honestly, yes. Yes. Real close,” Theismann said when asked if he’d draft Wilson before Lawrence. “We’re sort of splitting hairs a little bit here. But yeah, I would as a matter of fact.”
Zach Wilson over Trevor Lawrence?
Former NFL MVP Joe Theismann breaks down why he thinks the BYU gun-slinger is the best QB in the draft.@AmandaGuerraCBS | #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/QE6Z8XO1KL
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) February 3, 2021
About Zach Wilson
After leading the Cougars to an 11-1 with an impressive junior campaign. Wilson declared for the NFL Draft on January 1.
During his final year with BYU, the Draper, Utah native threw for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns, and three interceptions with a completion rate of 74 percent. He also had 254 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Before BYU finished off USC in overtime they get two big plays by Zach Wilson that gave the Cougars the lead. #BYUFOOTBALL @BYUfootball @KSL5TV https://t.co/mswkFuB8kZ pic.twitter.com/CKEcVfPMa8
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) September 15, 2019
Wilson ended his career (2018-20) in Provo passing for 7,652 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions with a 68 percent completion rate.
CRITICS: Zach Wilson isn't an NFL quarterback!
Zack Wilson: *shows them video of this*#BYUFootball #BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/kubPWzItmG
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) October 25, 2020
About Mark Schlereth
Schlereth played offensive line in the NFL for more than a decade. After getting drafted out of Idaho by Washington, he played the second half of his career with the Broncos.
During his 12 years in the NFL, Schlereth won three Super Bowls, one with Washington and two with Denver.
He was recognized with Pro Bowl honors in 1991 and 1998.
Schlereth is a member of the University of Idaho Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame and the Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary Team.
You can listen to Schlereth and long-time radio veteran Mike Evans on their program “Schlereth and Evans” every weekday morning from 6-9 a.m. (MDT).