For some reason, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has been the most polarizing topic in this year’s NFL draft. Despite putting together quite the body of work and out-performing Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, there’s still everyone and their second and third cousins doubting the mental makeup and abilities of Fields.
So much so, that Fields has dropped from a locked-in top-three quarterback in this class, to one that might fall to even the fifth-best signal-caller. It’s all a little silly, but welcome to all the shenanigans that come with overanalyzing prospects by the NFL media types.
But Nate Davis of USA TODAY doesn’t buy it. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that Trevor Lawrence will go to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the first pick, and Zach Wilson to the Jets with the No. 2 overall pick. That would then leave Fields as the next option for the San Francisco 49ers who traded up to get to that spot.
Most projections have Mac Jones or Trey Lance going to the Niners instead of Fields, but not Davis in his latest NFL mock draft. Instead, he believes Fields is too much of a talent to pass up.
Here is what he says about that pick, and Fields in general.
NEXT … Justin Fields and the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco and Justin Fields at No. 3 overall
What Davis says
“The Niners have been widely linked to Alabama QB Mac Jones almost from the moment they acquired the No. 3 selection from Miami last month for a package that included three first-rounders. And, sure, maybe Jones could run this offense better than incumbent Jimmy Garoppolo and on par with former Kyle Shanahan disciples like Matt Schaub, Kirk Cousins and 2016 league MVP Matt Ryan. But who’s trading three Round 1 selections for those guys, none consistently able to excel outside the framework of this offense? Fields, who completed better than 68% of his collegiate throws (including 70.2% in 2020), could provide the precision Shanahan’s scheme demands while adding mobility that could take it to another level. Don’t forget how well Robert Griffin III fared during his 2012 offensive rookie of the year campaign under Shanahan in Washington.”
NEXT … What we say
San Francisco and Justin Fields at No. 3 overall
What we say
OK. Here we go again. While it’s hard to believe that Fields could fall below the third overall quarterback taken, there seems to be some real chatter about the 49ers being up in the air between Trey Lance, Mac Jones, and the Ohio State product.
We think Fields makes the most sense here, but as we’ve seen before, when there’s smoke there’s usually a fire of truth to some of what’s going on, especially when the draft types that are most connected are hearing the same thing. I won’t be surprised if Fields falls below the 49ers, but he should be the pick because of the need, style, and talent all being married together.
However, if he does fall below pick No. 3, things are going to get awfully wild.
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