Prior to the 2021 NFL Draft, some Falcons fans were hoping they’d hear Justin Fields’ name called by Roger Goodell. This includes Carl Dukes, who after last night’s Bears-Vikings game, is asking the following question; would the Ohio State product be any better on the Falcons this season?
“When it comes to all of the changes we think we need and all the things we’ve talked about and how this team is going to improve, I don’t think that if we drafted [Justin Fields], that this team would be any better right now,” Dukes said.
Discussing some surprising statistics, Dukes noted that, similar to the hometown Falcons, the Bears have struggled upfront throughout the 2021 season. To that end, Fields has been sacked 36 times this season—the 4th most in the NFL—while Matt Ryan has hit the deck 29 times.
“For all the folks who say ‘we need a mobile quarterback’ and ‘you need a mobile quarterback in this day and age,’ I hope you guys realize that not only Justin Fields but also Lamar Jackson has been sacked more this year than Matt Ryan,” Dukes pointed out.
Guest host Brian Noe stated that developing quarterbacks isn’t akin to heating up a frozen dinner in the microwave and Dukes agreed while acknowledging the importance of the final stretch of the season for Fields.
“It’s year one, but these last three games are going to be huge for [Fields} because I think they have to see improvement. He’s the cornerstone, he’s the guy they drafted and they want to build around. There are other guys around the league that you already know; Joe Burrow—check, Herbert—check, Tua is coming on…I’m only saying this because we have had this discussion time and time again on our show and in our city about what we need at that position, and I’m looking around the NFL and going that’s not necessarily true,” Dukes said.
Fields isn’t the only rookie quarterback struggling as Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence has thrown just one touchdown in his last seven games and Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has thrown 11 interceptions. However, Mac Jones on the other hand has quickly inserted the Patriots back into the playoff picture.
As for the Falcons’ 4th overall pick, TE Kyle Pitts has flashed his potential throughout the season with 58 catches going for 847 yards. Pitts hasn’t found the end zone but one time during his rookie season.