In every NFL analyst’s mock draft, they have four quarterbacks being head and shoulders above the rest of the 2021 class. They have Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance. Generally, in that order. Here’s why they are all wrong. They underestimate the intangibles that Justin Fields possesses. You can go wrong drafting any of these guys. I believe they all have the potential to become franchise quarterbacks and perennial Pro Bowlers. For my money I’m taking Justin Fields for with the number one pick in the NFL Draft.
Here is how I rank them:
1.) Justin Fields
2.) Trevor Lawrence
3.) Zach Wilson
4.) Trey Lance
Justin Fields has everything you look for in a franchise quarterback. The arm strength, the pinpoint accuracy, and freakish athleticism. But what really separates Justin Fields from the rest of this historically good quarterback class are his intangibles. His commitment, toughness, and leadership are on another level compared to the other top quarterbacks in this year’s draft.
Toughness
Everyone talks about how Fields got hit hard in the college football playoff game against Clemson, went to the sidelines for one play, came back out in obvious discomfort and threw a touchdown to Chris Olave. This wasn’t the first time Fields did something like this. In his first year as a Buckeye Justin Fields dinged up his left knee against Michigan, had to go out of the game for a play to get a knee brace. The first play back Fields rolls to his left and throws a 40-yard dime to Garret Wilson in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. He is one tough cookie. His ability to battle through adversity is awe inspiring, and that skill will be paramount in building a culture of success in the NFL.
Leadership
Justin Fields’ 2019 was almost a story book season. He transferred from Georgia to Ohio State where he earned the starting job at quarterback. Everyone outside the Buckeyes program were wondering if this former 5-star high school recruit would be able to live up to the hype. As soon as he hit the field it was apparent that Justin Fields would actually exceed all expectations. Throughout the Big Ten season he racks up 40 touchdowns and threw just one interception. Leading the scarlet and grey to a perfect 13-0 record. This earned Ohio State a spot in the college football playoffs. In the last minute of the semifinals, the storybook season seemed to be writing another classic chapter.
With less than a minute to go Justin Fields and the Buckeyes were driving down the field for a game winning touchdown when the story of their season ended. Justin Fields threw an interception in the end zone sealing the game for Clemson. The interception was caused by a miscommunication between Fields and his favorite target Chris Olave. Olave saw an opening in the left side of the end zone and went for it. However, Fields thought Olave would go right. Having your storybook season ripped out from under you in a blink of an eye can be devastating.
Fields took responsibility for the miscommunication and vowed to make sure it didn’t happen again. The very next season Justin Fields got his chance at redemption when Ohio State again matched up against Clemson in the College Football Playoffs. Fields had a whale of a game, throwing for 385 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to a convincing victory over Clemson.
Dealing with Adversity
When the Big Ten canceled their season Justin Fields never gave up. During the months of uncertainty, he seemed to never waiver in his commitment to Ohio State and his teammates. Fields could have declared for the NFL draft, or even tried to enter the transfer portal again. Instead, he led the players movement to safely have a big ten football season. Fields created an online petition which amassed 300,000 signatures asking the Big Ten to reinstate the football season. Eventually they did.
Potential
Fields has only played a season and a half in college. That’s what’s really scary about Justin Fields, he has so much room to grow. Give him a year or two to develop behind a veteran quarterback and the sky is the limit for this young man.
Commitment
One of the most impressive things about Justin Fields is his level of commitment to becoming the best player he can. Fields actually has adopted a mostly vegan diet in order to take better care of his body and improve on the field.
Taking a quarterback with the number one pick in the draft is a franchise defining moment. Picking the wrong guy often leads to the firing of the General Manager and Head Coach, heavy criticism, and organizational disaster. Especially if you take someone over the consensus best quarterback in the draft. Sometimes you have to take a risk and go against the grain, pick the best quarterback in the draft Justin Fields.
Justin Fields is the Best Quarterback in this Year’s Draft
In every NFL analyst’s mock draft, they have four quarterbacks being head and shoulders above the rest of the 2021 class. They have Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance. Generally, in that order. Here’s why they are all wrong. They underestimate the intangibles that Justin Fields possesses. You can go wrong drafting any of these guys. I believe they all have the potential to become franchise quarterbacks and perennial Pro Bowlers. For my money I’m taking Justin Fields for with the number one pick in the NFL Draft.
2 replies on “Justin Fields is the Best Quarterback in this Year’s Draft”
“In every NFL analyst’s mock draft, they have four quarterbacks being head and shoulders above the rest of the 2021 class. They have Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance. Generally, in that order. Here’s why they are all wrong.” So this is an opinion business and you’re saying everyone else is wrong? Can you please explain?
Hello Russell, thanks for your input. This was an opinion article so that is why this was phrased that way. I agree that it could have been worded closer to the premise of “here is the case for Fields”.