With the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears select Justin Fields, quarterback, Ohio State. Chicago moved up from the 20th overall pick, trading with the Giants for the 11th pick, giving up their 20th and 164th picks in 2020, as well as 2022 first- and fourth-round picks.
Analysis: I’ve said before that NFL teams that pass on Fields will one day regret that decision. Because when you watch him, particularly this past season against Clemson when he was clearly hurt and still was able to help the Buckeyes stave off a comeback attempt from Lawrence and the Tigers, Fields has the traits that matter at the position. He’s someone that teammates want to play for and that coaches want to work with. He could be special. He’s not a one-read guy, he’s not a slow processor, and none of the garbage you’ve heard pre-draft holds up.
Grade: B+. The last time the Bears traded up to draft a quarterback, it was Mitchell Trubisky. Fields is not that. There are some issues with mechanics and accuracy at times, but throw out all the crap about Fields being a one-read guy, a slow processor, and a “last in/first out” guy. Not at all true, and Fields has a legitimate shot to be Chicago’s best quarterback since Sid Luckman. There’s a lot of capital here, but Fields could well be worth it.
