With the NFL draft just over a month away, teams have begun shifting their focus from free agency to scouting draft prospects. As always, the scouting process revolves around finding a franchise quarterback. The quarterback is seen as the most important position in the NFL and without having an elite one its hard for a team to succeed.

The NFL draft quarterback class this year is headlined by Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, who is assumed to be selected number one overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Other members of this years quarterback class include, BYU's Zach Wilson, North Dakota State's Trey Lance, Ohio State's Justin Fields and Alabama's Mac Jones.

Wilson has been the biggest riser on the NFL draft board amongst the quarterbacks and he showed why with an impressive pro day.

Here is the best NFL-level throw from Wilson's pro day:

There have already been trades that changed the NFL draft order. The San Francisco 49ers traded up from No. 12 to No. 3 via a trade with the Miami Dolphins. By moving up nine spots its presumed the 49ers intend to draft one of the top quarterbacks in this year's draft.

Also, the Dolphins made another trade to move up to No. 6 via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Let's look at what other teams need to trade up for a quarterback in the 2021 NFL draft.

Denver Broncos

Since the retirement of Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos have been searching for another franchise NFL quarterback. There recent starting quarterbacks include Drew Locke, Joe Flacco, Trevor Sieman and Case Keenum who have all failed to fill the void Manning left.

Currently, the Broncos hold the ninth pick in the NFL draft, which will most likely not get them one of the top three quarterback prospects. Denver should trade up to the No. 2 pick which is currently held by the New York Jets. While, New York could go quarterback at No. 2, they haven't committed to doing so. If the Jets stick with Sam Darnold as their quarterback, they will be looking to trade the No.2 overall pick.

At No. 2 the Broncos could pick any quarterback they like besides Lawrence who will be gone already. No matter whom Denver selects, finding their franchise quarterback will help them compete in the AFC West, an NFL division which already has Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes.

Whoever Denver selects would step into an NFL team that is a quarterback away from becoming contenders. The Broncos offense already has great young receivers in Jerry Jeudy and Cortland Sutton. While the Broncos talented defense would benefit from not having to play with a bottom five scoring offense.

Carolina Panthers

From 2011-2018 the Carolina Panthers' franchise quarterback was Cam Newton. However, in 2019 Newton was out with a shoulder injury and the Panthers' quarterback problems began. In 2020 the Panthers replaced Newton with Teddy Bridgewater. Despite being a starting-caliber NFL quarterback, Teddy has never been seen as a franchise quarterback.

The reason Carolina needs to trade up for a quarterback is because they have premier talent on offense. Carolina has arguably the best running back in the NFL in Christian McCaffrey. Not to mention, two 1,000 yard receivers in D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson. Finding their franchise quarterback would take the Panthers from mediocre to competing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South.

Carolina holds the eighth pick in the NFL draft and unless a quarterback falls, they will need to trade up. Trading draft picks with the Atlanta Falcons could be an option. Atlanta holds the No. 4 pick in the draft and may have to stick with Matt Ryan because of the magnitude of his contract.

At No. 4 the Panthers would most likely have Fields, Lance and Jones available to them. Because these NFL quarterback prospects are seen more as projects, Bridgewater would be a great mentor to one of these young quarterbacks.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are one of the oldest franchises in the NFL. Yet, a true franchise quarterback is the one thing that has alluded them. Chicago tried to address the issue back in 2017, by selecting Mitchell Trubisky. But his inconsistency led to the Bears allowing him to leave in free agency.

The Bears were unsuccessful in trying to make trades for both Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson this offseason. So, instead they settled for Andy Dalton who they signed in NFL free agency.

Here you can see who has been the Bears starting quarterback in just the past NFL year:

With the No. 20 pick in this year's NFL draft, its unlikely that the Bears could trade up into the top five. Although, Chicago could strike a trade with the Dallas Cowboys and move up to the No. 10 pick. Dallas resigned their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott this offseason making them willing to trade back. Unless of course they like a prospect that is on the board at the tenth pick.

At No. 10 the Bears would have the option to select either Jones or Fields depending on who falls the most. With a franchise NFL quarterback the Bears would become one of the scariest teams in the NFC. They already have a defense filled with elite talents like Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Eddie Jackson and Roquan Smith.

Then on offense, the rookie quarterback would have a number one NFL receiver in Allen Robinson to throw to. In addition to a running back group that includes the trio of David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen and Damian Williams.

Of the teams listed the Bears would benefit the most from trading up and getting their franchise quarterback. Still the unpredictable of the NFL draft must be acknowledged. As all these quarterbacks prospects could be gone before any of these teams get a chance to trade up and select them.