Pittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields’ dynasty value is very much in flux after an offseason trade to a team that previously signed Russell Wilson.
With his short-term role in question, where does the dual-threat signal-caller rank among fantasy football assets at the position as he prepares to enter his age-25 season?
Justin Fields’ Dynasty Outlook
Through three seasons (40 games), Fields has thrown 40 touchdown passes with 30 interceptions while averaging 55.5 rushing yards per game. The potential is enticing, given his rare athletic abilities, but Fields has yet to really develop as a passer.
How in the world did Justin Fields pull this off?! 🤯#Bears | #NFL
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 31, 2023
His aDOT has decreased each season, and that has resulted in a slight uptick in his completion percentage. But with Fields’ yards per pass attempt being consistent across all three seasons, it’s safe to say that he has yet to take the step from project to franchise quarterback.
That is why the Steelers are seemingly investing in him to be Mister Right, but maybe not Mister Right Now.
- What went right in 2023?
Fields increased his completion percentage when pressured by six full percentage points from his 2022 rate, a key for any mobile quarterback who is going to be forced into quick decisions by aggressive defenses that want to create turnover opportunities.
- What went wrong in 2023?
Fields completed only 51.1% of his red-zone passes — five percentage points below the league average — which severely caps his fantasy upside. Only 17% of his passes inside the 20-yard line resulted in a touchdown last season, a number that tied him for the third-worst in the NFL.
- 29. Justin Fields: 17%
- 29. Desmond Ridder: 17%
- 31. Aidan O’Connell: 15.6%
- 32. Kenny Pickett: 9.4%
Fields’ Dynasty Ranking
Where does Fields land in the dynasty QB landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Soppe’s latest rankings, featuring where Fields lands in comparison to other top names at the position.
1) Patrick Mahomes | KC
2) Jalen Hurts | PHI
3) Josh Allen | BUF
4) C.J. Stroud | HOU
5) Anthony Richardson | IND
6) Joe Burrow | CIN
7) Lamar Jackson | BAL
8) Justin Herbert | LAC
9) Caleb Williams | FA
10) Dak Prescott | DAL
11) Tua Tagovailoa | MIA
12) Kyler Murray | ARI
13) Jordan Love | GB
14) Trevor Lawrence | JAX
15) Brock Purdy | SF
16) Deshaun Watson | CLE
17) Jayden Daniels | FA
18) Justin Fields | PIT
19) Kirk Cousins | ATL
20) Will Levis | TEN
Should You Trade Fields in Dynasty?
The Bears bringing in DJ Moore was a logical move for the development of Fields, and we saw plenty of that potential (Moore: 96 catches for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns).
While he has who the Steelers hope is that sort of alpha receiver in George Pickens, the team trading away talent at the position (Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, a receiver who more mirrors what Moore does than Pickens) isn’t exactly optimal for Fields’ hopes of further development.
Pittsburgh as a franchise has proven very stable under Mike Tomlin, but the play at the quarterback position post-Ben Roethlisberger has been sub-par, and it’s fair to question if this move will stunt Fields’ growth more than encourage it.
This team is built, something that has been a staple of Pittsburgh for a decade-plus now, through the defensive side of the ball with the offense being asked to make timely plays, not a plethora of plays.
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All of that said, this feels like rock bottom for the dynasty stock of Fields. At this moment, he is QB2 in an unappealing offense — go get him.
Russell Wilson turns 36 in November and is clearly not the long-term solution. If you’re in a two-QB or Superflex league, stashing a mobile QB with his best football (hopefully) in front of him is the type of move that can win you titles down the road, and it won’t cost you much right now in the trade market given his cloudy role.
I’m making a run at Fields where I can, understanding that if a team that is set to be competitive this season has him, I’m far more likely to complete a deal that makes sense for both sides where I provide proven talent that can be of service from the jump this year.
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