Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, a former Heisman finalist and one of just six FBS quarterbacks in history to amass at least 40 touchdown passes and 10 rushing scores in a single season, has quickly emerged as the most polarizing prospect of this year’s NFL Draft. Though still a consensus first-rounder, Fields, for all his accolades, could wind up as the fifth quarterback selected after Trevor Lawrence (who he defeated in last year’s national semifinals despite playing through an obvious rib injury), Zach Wilson, Mac Jones and Trey Lance.
The Fields truthers have been out in full force this spring, questioning his drive (scouts have insinuated he’s not a “first one in, last one out” type) while conveniently glossing over the 22-year-old’s athleticism (he blazed a 4.43 forty at his Pro Day last month), prototypical QB size (6’3”/228), intelligence and considerable leadership qualities (20-2 career record at Ohio State). And unlike Wilson and Lance, who never faced the rigors of a Power 5 schedule, Fields is battle-tested from a career spent in the college football crucible known as the Big 10.
There’s so much to like about Fields’ wide-ranging skill set, yet pundits continue to cast doubt on his NFL prospects. The nitpicking of Fields relative to other players in this year’s class has been puzzling to say the least, fueling a larger discussion on how outdated stereotypes and other biases propagated by mainstream media have affected the general public's perception of black quarterbacks. During his appearance Tuesday on ESPN, veteran reporter Chris Mortensen posited, rather laughably, that Fields’ past baseball exploits may have thrown a wrench in his mechanics.
Fields hasn’t played baseball since his senior year of high school in 2018 and even if he had, there’s plenty of precedent for baseball alums succeeding in the NFL. Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray and Jameis Winston all moonlighted as college baseball stars while Tom Brady and Colin Kaepernick were each drafted by MLB teams out of high school. None had any trouble transitioning to the NFL, and Fields shouldn’t either.
Fields will look to change the narrative at his second Pro Day Wednesday in Columbus, which will be attended by the Jets, 49ers, Panthers, Broncos and Patriots, among other teams. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had New England trading up for Fields at No. 10 in his latest mock draft while our own Tim Kelly had the Patriots snagging him at No. 8.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram