Justin Fields | OHIO STATE 6’3” 227 lbs. 3/5/1999 (Age 22)
Justin Fields was drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Bears, becoming the fourth quarterback selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Fields took over as the starting quarterback for Ohio State as a sophomore transfer. That season concluded with Fields leading Ohio State to the College Football Playoffs. In his career, Fields completed 423 of 618 pass attempts, a 68.4% rate. He threw for 5.701 yards, 67 TDs, and just nine INTs which equates to a 178.8 passer rating. Fields also added 1,113 rushing yards and 19 TDs on the ground. Just to remind the reader, college rushing stats include sacks and kneel-downs.
Fields lead the Buckeyes to two consecutive College Football Playoffs. In total, Fields went 20-2 in his 22 college games played, losing only to Trevor Lawrence and Nick Saban. From the start of his college football career to the finish, Justin Fields validated his five-star pedigree, and by all accounts proved to be a quality dual-threat NFL quarterback
ATHLETIC TESTING
At his isolated Pro Day, Justin Fields measured in at 6’3” and 227lbs. Which equates to a BMI of 28.37. Fields ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, which at 227 lbs. equates to a 116-speed score, top three among quarterbacks all-time. Justin Fields transitioned to a vegan diet during his time at Ohio State, which is worth monitoring, given the performance of some other notable football players who made this transition. It was also discovered that Fields has dealt with epilepsy throughout his life, a situation worth monitoring, but a situation where doctors do not believe it to have an impact on his ability to play football. Luckily for Fields, he is coming into the NFL during a time at which the NFL is protecting the quarterback from taking shots to the head.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Above-Average
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Below-Average
Justin Fields fills the shoes of the ghost left by the Bear’s decision to draft Mitchell Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. He will be tasked with the force of keeping Matt Nagy’s job alive in Chicago. He goes to a team that has Allen Robinson as the only capable receiving option, and Darnell Mooney who made a splash as a rookie. Justin Fields is a vegan so he will certainly dislike deep-dish pizza.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Fields is a true dual-threat Konami Code quarterback worthy of consideration at the 1.01 pick in Superflex leagues. Justin Fields remains as the QB2 in the 2021 NFL Draft class, however with the bad landing spot one may choose to go with a top pass-catcher or running back as the second and third picks in Superflex Rookie Drafts.
Justin Fields, when not dealing with an injury or in a situation where his team was dealing with COVID-19, played nearly perfectly. He produced efficiently and effectively against the top competition in the sport. There are no reasons to question Fields’ value in fantasy football. Though we might have a discrepancy between where Fields is viewed as a fantasy quarterback compared to an NFL quarterback early in his career.
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