Looking at the athleticism of Fields..

[mattb78]

First of all, just understand the rarity of a 6-3, nearly 227lb man running a 4.44 40 yard dash.

The closest size/speed comparison you can find is Lamar Jackson at 6'2, 216, who lead the NFL in QB rushing yards last season. Funny thing is Jackson never ran at his pro day or the combine, and there is no official timed 40 on record, which is a little suspicious. University of Louisville claims he ran a 4.34 unofficial, but that is it. No doubt Jackson can fly, but as he was considered a fringe prospect going into the draft if he could really run a sub 4.4 consistently its likley he would have done so to improve his draft stock.

The next closest comparison, and by speed only is Kyler Murray. Murray ran an official timed 4.38, a year before he was drafted, at 5-10 and at the time he weighed less than 190 lbs. Murray can fly, no doubt, and that speed is official. But he was 5 inches shorter and 40 lbs lighter than Fields when he ran it.

In the heavyweight class, you could compare him to Cam Newton, who does top Fields at 6"5, 248 and ran a sporty 4.59, which is just amazing for a man that size. Cam was 20lbs heavier and was more of a bruiser, but for Fields to absolutely smoke him in a 40 at only 20 lbs lighter just shows the elite athlete that Fields is.

The only negative comparison I could find was RG3, who at 6-2, 220 ran a 4.42. He didn't have the NFL career that was expected of him but injuries played a huge part in that as well as his inability to develop as a pocket passer.

Bottom line, Fields is a generational athlete at that size and speed and only a few players in the history of the NFL come close to that athletic ability.

 

[JoJoBoxer]

First of all, just understand the rarity of a 6-3, nearly 227lb man running a 4.44 40 yard dash.

The closest size/speed comparison you can find is Lamar Jackson at 6'2, 216, who lead the NFL in QB rushing yards last season. Funny thing is Jackson never ran at his pro day or the combine, and there is no official timed 40 on record, which is a little suspicious. University of Louisville claims he ran a 4.34 unofficial, but that is it. No doubt Jackson can fly, but as he was considered a fringe prospect going into the draft if he could really run a sub 4.4 consistently its likley he would have done so to improve his draft stock.

The next closest comparison, and by speed only is Kyler Murray. Murray ran an official timed 4.38, a year before he was drafted, at 5-10 and at the time he weighed less than 190 lbs. Murray can fly, no doubt, and that speed is official. But he was 5 inches shorter and 40 lbs lighter than Fields when he ran it.

In the heavyweight class, you could compare him to Cam Newton, who does top Fields at 6"5, 248 and ran a sporty 4.59, which is just amazing for a man that size. Cam was 20lbs heavier and was more of a bruiser, but for Fields to absolutely smoke him in a 40 at only 20 lbs lighter just shows the elite athlete that Fields is.

The only negative comparison I could find was RG3, who at 6-2, 220 ran a 4.42. He didn't have the NFL career that was expected of him but injuries played a huge part in that as well as his inability to develop as a pocket passer.

Bottom line, Fields is a generational athlete at that size and speed and only a few players in the history of the NFL come close to that athletic ability.

The funny thing is that Fields was upset because he slipped during both attempts. He had a real chance of being sub. 4.4 speed.

 

[Milky]

First of all, just understand the rarity of a 6-3, nearly 227lb man running a 4.44 40 yard dash.

The closest size/speed comparison you can find is Lamar Jackson at 6'2, 216, who lead the NFL in QB rushing yards last season. Funny thing is Jackson never ran at his pro day or the combine, and there is no official timed 40 on record, which is a little suspicious. University of Louisville claims he ran a 4.34 unofficial, but that is it. No doubt Jackson can fly, but as he was considered a fringe prospect going into the draft if he could really run a sub 4.4 consistently its likley he would have done so to improve his draft stock.

The next closest comparison, and by speed only is Kyler Murray. Murray ran an official timed 4.38, a year before he was drafted, at 5-10 and at the time he weighed less than 190 lbs. Murray can fly, no doubt, and that speed is official. But he was 5 inches shorter and 40 lbs lighter than Fields when he ran it.

In the heavyweight class, you could compare him to Cam Newton, who does top Fields at 6"5, 248 and ran a sporty 4.59, which is just amazing for a man that size. Cam was 20lbs heavier and was more of a bruiser, but for Fields to absolutely smoke him in a 40 at only 20 lbs lighter just shows the elite athlete that Fields is.

The only negative comparison I could find was RG3, who at 6-2, 220 ran a 4.42. He didn't have the NFL career that was expected of him but injuries played a huge part in that as well as his inability to develop as a pocket passer.

Bottom line, Fields is a generational athlete at that size and speed and only a few players in the history of the NFL come close to that athletic ability.

I’ve went through this same thought in my head a while back. RG3 is really his best comp from a physical perspective that also plays QB. But if you look at WRs you can find more height/weight/speed comps. Chase Claypool ran 4.42 at 6’4 238 just last year. DK Metcalf ran a 4.33 at 6’4 229 the year before that. So I wouldn’t really say he is a generational athlete.

What really impressed me about Fields in college was his touch to all levels of the field coupled with his anticipation. He showed a real feel for the position. Hopefully it translates to the next level.

 

[KittiesKorner]

the rg3 comparison while apt is just depressing me for this generational prospect

 

[Anytime23]

the rg3 comparison while apt is just depressing me for this generational prospect

Just watch his pre-knee injury tape and feel better

 

[CaliBearFan]

I dont know that straight line speed over 40 yards is a great measure of athleticism. I think you just compared speed in shorts of a similarly sized qb.

 

[Zion]

Great, but I'd rather hear how good he is at quickly processing info in the pocket, making correct reads and accurate throws.

 

[Pegger]

Mike Vick ran a 4.33. That was at 6'0, 210 lbs.

Anyway, if he's going to succeed as a QB it's not about how good of an athlete he is, but rather how well he can play the QB position. It's just one of those spots on the field where having the ability to read the defense (pre and post snap), buy time while keeping his feet ready to throw, then throw with accuracy and touch outweigh timed speed or arm strength.

I'm not saying the athletic stuff is bad, just it doesn't mean much when trying to predict if he'll be successful or not.

 

[gallagher]

I dont know that straight line speed over 40 yards is a great measure of athleticism. I think you just compared speed in shorts of a similarly sized qb.

as far as speed goes, I am far more interested in cone drills than the 40.

Mike Vick ran a 4.33. That was at 6'0, 210 lbs.

Anyway, if he's going to succeed as a QB it's not about how good of an athlete he is, but rather how well he can play the QB position. It's just one of those spots on the field where having the ability to read the defense (pre and post snap), buy time while keeping his feet ready to throw, then throw with accuracy and touch outweigh timed speed or arm strength.

I'm not saying the athletic stuff is bad, just it doesn't mean much when trying to predict if he'll be successful or not.

true true. Though the athletic stuff is part of what helps a lot of QBs succeed early. The ability to escape the pocket and create with their legs gives two benefits. You can buy time by getting away from the pass rush, and the defense cannot commit all of the guys not rushing in to pure pass defense. Being able to escape the rush and buy time leads to big plays downfield when shit breaks down. Being able to threaten to run means that the defense will have to have a guy stay in to contain the QB which in turn leaves one fewer man defending against the pass.

While he refines and grows as a passer in the NFL, both of those will contribute to early successes, which will benefit his growth as well.

 

[napo55]

Great, but I'd rather hear how good he is at quickly processing info in the pocket, making correct reads and accurate throws.

This is spot on. Most of the great QBs were not particularly great athletes. The key is identifying open receivers and getting them the ball--as quickly as possible!

 

[Wild_x_Card]

Fields and RG3 body types couldn't be any different. RG3 had a legit sprinters/high hurdler's body coming out. To the point that his frame concerned many. Fields has a much thicker lower half.

 

[CHIBEAR]

Marcus Mariota 6'4 222lbs 4.48

 

[VickAshley✅️verified]

Fields and RG3 body types couldn't be any different. RG3 had a legit sprinters/high hurdler's body coming out. To the point that his frame concerned many. Fields has a much thicker lower half.

I wouldn't ever really think of calling Fields a thicc runner but he is certainly most definitely uncomparably more stout than Robert Griffin III. He is also in possession of superior dance moves and skills than that of any other QB posted of inside this thread.

 

[Pegger]

true true. Though the athletic stuff is part of what helps a lot of QBs succeed early. The ability to escape the pocket and create with their legs gives two benefits. You can buy time by getting away from the pass rush, and the defense cannot commit all of the guys not rushing in to pure pass defense. Being able to escape the rush and buy time leads to big plays downfield when shit breaks down. Being able to threaten to run means that the defense will have to have a guy stay in to contain the QB which in turn leaves one fewer man defending against the pass.

While he refines and grows as a passer in the NFL, both of those will contribute to early successes, which will benefit his growth as well.

That is somewhat true, but I also think it's misleading.

I'll use Mike Vick when he was an Eagle. At the time we had a great OL, but for some reason when Vick was in they sucked. Almost night and day from when Kevin Kolb or Nick Foles was in. After hearing some former players talk they said its harder to block for a mobile QB because as a unit of 5 players trying to protect one spot and having their back to the QB they really didn't know where Mike would be. Sure his athleticism would save the OL at times, but more often then not the offensive lineman was left guessing where the QB was going to go against a faster DL who had the luxury of seeing where the QB was.

If the DL knew this it was worse because they could look to the side and the OL would automatically think Vick broke the pocket and was on the move, so they would abandon blocking as a unit.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is Vick never really learned to be a pocket passer largely because he didn't have too and that the OL had a hard time trusting he'd hang in there.
Aybe it will be different for Fields, but I've seen this pop up with RG3, Jackson and Tebow.

I'd add as soon as a QB starts sprinting their feet are not in position to make an accurate throw. It's very hard to do an unscripted sprint to get out of trouble, keep the eyes downfield, reset the feet then deliver a strike.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Nail Polish]

I had an appointment with my family doctor yesterday just to discuss my recent lab work. He is from Chicago, and a Bear fan.. He said.. "Getting Fields is almost too good to be true, Bear fans aren't used to this""

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

JF1 has the 'it" factor.

 

[mattb78]

Chase Claypool ran 4.42 at 6’4 238 just last year. DK Metcalf ran a 4.33 at 6’4 229 the year before that. So I wouldn’t really say he is a generational athlete.

But do those guys have an NFL arm and can throw accurately? We are talking about potentially one of the top 5 fastest guys to ever play the QB position, and he is larger than every single one of them except Randall Cunningham.

 

[Montucky]

the rg3 comparison while apt is just depressing me for this generational prospect

If its any consolation it seems like Justin Fields has way less of a corny mindset. Also, Fields is built like a brick shithouse.

 

[mattb78]

the rg3 comparison while apt is just depressing me for this generational prospect

Felt I had to mention it as RG3 was a comparable size/speed comparison. The injuries really set him back. Another thing that didn't get talked about until after he retired was how arrogant he was with the coaching staff. He kept pushing to run a more pocket passing offense and he was nowhere near ready for it. He rushed for over 800 yards and 7 TDs his rookie season, but once he got away from that he was never the same.

 

[Bearly]

This is spot on. Most of the great QBs were not particularly great athletes. The key is identifying open receivers and getting them the ball--as quickly as possible!

Great, but I'd rather hear how good he is at quickly processing info in the pocket, making correct reads and accurate throws.

This and sometimes when you start the athletic ones too early, they too often default to runners.