Ohio State QB Justin Fields and his potential landing spots in the 2021 NFL Draft have been a much-discussed subject. His stock has bounced from a potential first-overall selection to a player unlikely to be taken in the top 10 and back up to the top five again. Let’s take a look at Fields’ draft projection and five potential landing spots for the Buckeyes signal-caller.
Justin Fields’ 2021 NFL Draft projection
Heading into the 2020 college football season, Fields was already viewed as a top-10 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. His performance last year ensured his stock largely held steady. He finished the season with a 70.2% completion rate with 2,100 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also added 383 rushing yards on 81 carries with 5 touchdowns.
However, despite finishing seventh in the Heisman voting, question marks were raised about his outings. In the space of three games at the end of the Big Ten schedule, Fields threw 5 interceptions. His performance in the Big Ten Championship raised eyebrows. Fields finished with 12 completions on 27 passing attempts (44.4% completion rate), 114 passing yards, and 2 interceptions. A mitigating factor for that game was that the Buckeyes were without a number of players due to COVID-19.
Fields would then boost his stock in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Despite a rib injury, he completed 22-of-28 passes for 385 yards, 6 touchdowns, and an interception. He struggled against Alabama in the title game but appeared to be still hampered by injury.
Concerns around how often he progressed past the first read have caused Fields’ stock to fall in the draft’s build-up. Still, he remains a presumed top-10 selection and could be drafted as early as third overall. On Pro Football Network Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline’s latest big board, Fields ranks eighth among all prospects and third at the QB position.
Best landing spots for Fields
Despite the speculation surrounding Fields and 49ers gaining traction in the weeks leading up to the draft, Pauline recently reported that San Francisco seems to be leaning more toward Mac Jones and Trey Lance being the top two options. Therefore, with the buzz suggesting the 49ers are not a likely landing spot for Fields, where are five other potential landing spots for the Buckeyes QB?
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons find themselves in an interesting predicament. In Matt Ryan, they have a QB who has won an MVP award and nearly took them to a Super Bowl victory. Conversely, entering the 2021 season at 36 years old, he may not have many years left as a viable starting QB.
Therefore, the discussion becomes do they think about the future, or do they put more talent around Ryan in the hope he can lead them back to the Super Bowl?
Ryan’s contract situation makes it extremely tough for the Falcons to move on before the end of the 2022 season. Releasing him after the 2021 season would leave $40.5 million in dead money. Meanwhile, the Falcons only have to look at the Green Bay Packers, who sat their franchise QB for three seasons before handing him the keys.
That is why it is impossible to rule the Falcons out of the discussion as a potential landing spot for Fields. If Atlanta has concerns about Fields’ ability to make reads, they have time for their coaches to get him on track. However, they may not be in a prime position to draft a QB with Fields’ talent.
In the background to all of this is the potential unrest of the locker room. If they don’t invest in a QB and Ryan struggles, the locker room could lose faith in the coaches and front office. Yet, if they do take Fields, players could be frustrated that they did not take a player who would help them win immediately. Much like the 49ers, the Falcons have a fascinating conundrum on their hands if Fields is available with the fourth pick.
Detroit Lions
The Lions’ QB situation is somewhat similar to that of the Falcons. Releasing Jared Goff ahead of the 2022 season would leave a potential $30.5 million in dead money. For that reason, the Lions could be looking at drafting a QB they can develop.
That is where Fields is an intriguing enigma. Some analysts feel he can step in and start as a rookie, while others believe he needs that extra year. The Lions have a “luxury” that the Falcons do not. They are not in a position where they are one or two pieces away from competing. Thus, taking a QB in the top 10 is unlikely to cause the same disgruntlement in Detroit’s locker room that it might in Atlanta.
Denver Broncos
One of the toughest situations to decipher in this draft is the Broncos. With a new general manager in George Paton, are they committed to Drew Lock as their starting QB? If they are not, what could they look to do with the ninth pick? A recent report from Pauline indicated that the Broncos are not looking to move up for a QB, but there are mock drafts out there suggesting that’s exactly what Denver will do. Nevertheless, if Fields were to fall into their lap at No. 9, that might be a different situation.
Drafting Fields does not mean the Broncos would need to move on immediately from Lock. They could still give the third-year QB a chance to start the season. If Lock impresses, they can either trade him at increased value or consider trading Fields next offseason. Taking Fields at No. 9 would protect the Broncos if Lock does not pan out. Although, if they do decide to trade up, they create a situation where the media and fans will clamor for Fields to start early in 2021.
New England Patriots
There are a few “wild card” teams when it comes to potential landing spots for Fields. New England is at pick 15 and in striking distance of the top 10. The Patriots currently have Cam Newton atop their depth chart at quarterback. Additionally, Newton is only on a one-year contract. For that reason, the Patriots may opt to make a move up and secure a QB such as Fields.
The decisions the Patriots make on draft day will tell us all we need to know about their mindset. If they trade up and sacrifice valuable assets for a QB, it is an indication they do not expect to compete for at least a couple of seasons. In contrast, if New England stays at No. 15 and puts weapons around Newton, they believe they can make a playoff run in 2021.
In terms of a fit for Fields, it is hard to project him in New England. We have only seen two QBs run this offense in the past decade. What we do know is that Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick are willing to fit their scheme around their signal-caller. We saw it with Jacoby Brissett during Tom Brady’s suspension, and we saw it again with Newton last season.
Washington Football Team
At No. 19, a move up into the top 10 to target Fields would presumably require considerable investment. As division winners in 2020, with a veteran field general onboard for 2021, will Washington be willing to commit to the potential of bringing in another young QB?
Given their previous efforts to do so, it is understandable if they are hesitant. Although their division win in 2020 was not exactly impressive (they finished with a 7-9 record), they have a relatively young core to their roster. Giving a player like Fields a year to develop before taking over in 2022 could pay dividends. Look for Washington to be intriguing players as a potential landing spot for Fields on draft night.
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