When the 2020 NCAA football season concluded, the perception among much of the public was that after Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence went No. 1 overall, Ohio State's Justin Fields would be the second quarterback selected.
Since then, the sport has become enamored with BYU's Zach Wilson, with the New York Jets now expected to take him over Fields with the No. 2 pick. But FOX's Joel Klatt, while intrigued by Wilson, still believes that Fields is the better prospect:
"He [Wilson] is a salty competitor...I think he's a really talented player, there's no doubt about it," Klatt said to Colin Cowherd Thursday on FS1. "And when he did play Power 5 competition in previous years - whether it was USC or Tennessee - he played really well. So even though their schedule wasn't great, I still think you can say that this guy can rise to the occasion when the playing field is leveled. I certainly think he's an early first-round pick. I wouldn't take him before Justin Fields, but that's only because Fields consistently was a more accurate passer...played in a system that I think translates to the NFL a little bit better and sooner than a Wilson. And Wilson, at times, can just sit there and rely on his arm...fabulous player, there's no doubt, but there are some things that are going to have to iron themselves out."
While it's not set-in-stone, it appears pretty close to certain that the Jets, who traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers earlier this month, will use the No. 2 overall pick on Wilson. Still, it's interesting to hear someone that is fond of Wilson pump the breaks a little bit.
Fields had a relatively uneven junior season, but still managed to help the team upset Lawrence and Clemson to reach the College Football Playoff National Championship. Had he been eligible to come out after his sophomore season - when he threw 41 touchdowns to just three interceptions, while rushing for 484 yards - it's possible there would be a different discussion around him.
Instead, it's hard to peg exactly where the 22-year-old will land. He is currently the betting favorite to be selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 3 overall pick, though many still expect Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch and company to pick Alabama's Mac Jones. If not at No. 3, it's unclear where Fields will go. In late March, Hall of Fame executive Gil Brandt, now with NFL Media, said that while one team told him that they believe Fields is one of the five best players in the entire 2021 class, another believes he's a fourth-round prospect.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram