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NFL Draft 2021: Round 1 Grades for Every Pick
The future is now as the NFL holds its annual entry draft in Cleveland. Nothing hits quite like the promise of potential...
11. Chicago Bears (from NYG)
11 OF 32
John Bazemore/Associated Press
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Strengths: Efficient operator, protects the football, top-shelf athleticism, toughness
Weaknesses: Inconsistent play speed, pre- and post-snap blitz recognition, eye manipulation
An old adage states, "If you see a player do it once, you can coach him up to do it again."
In Justin Fields' case, NFL evaluators have seen him play at a high level throughout the majority of his two seasons as the Ohio State Buckeyes' starting quarterback. Although, inconsistencies can be found during the evaluation process.
At his best, the 22-year-old is as efficient, athletic and tough as any prospect in this year's class. Fields' absolute best came in the Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers when he threw for 385 yards (a career high) and six touchdowns despite suffering a hip pointer early in the contest.
But questions about how he works through progressions and the speed of his decision-making continue to make the rounds despite obvious examples found on film of his doing both quickly and precisely. Yet, shaky performances against Indiana and Northwestern are worth noting.
Fields completed 68.4 percent of his passes, including 70.2 percent last year. The 6'3", 228-pound signal-caller adds another dynamic as a runner with 4.41-second 40-yard-dash speed.
Fields is a great example of a multiyear starter being overanalyzed when the good clearly outweighs the questionable aspects of his game. His traits show a quarterback capable of excelling in the pros.
And the Chicago Bears took notice.
In an offseason when it looked like the Bears would be blocked from acquiring a high-end quarterback, the board fell in Chicago’s favor and general manager Ryan Pace made an aggressive move to acquire an elite talent.
Fields is exactly what the franchise so desperately needed. Andy Dalton was never going to be the answer. Maybe the veteran could have been place holder for a playoff-caliber roster.
But that possibility no longer matters. Fields was shamefully torn apart throughout this process despite everything he accomplished and his level of performance throughout 2019 and most of his final season on campus.
Pace and head coach Matt Nagy should breathe easier now, because they just pulled off the type of move absolutely necessary to propel the organization forward after years of floundering at the game’s most important position.
Grade: A+
