Although good, could Justin Fields be falling late into the season?
When the confetti’s done falling or when the trophy’s hoisted for the last time, Justin Fields will have his answer. Two weeks could decide whether the top tier quarterback says goodbye to Columbus or returns for another season.
The Ohio State gunslinger is expected to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft heading into the final day of a wild and wacky year. Fields has consistently been regarded as the second-best quarterback in the class behind the likes of Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence.
However, the attention might never be on Fields more entering what could be his final two collegiate games.
During an interview on the Schlereth and Evans podcast, ESPN’s Adam Schefter was asked about Fields’ potential at the next level. According to the insider, he isn’t sold that the Buckeye is best suited to be the No.2 pocket-passer.
“My guess is he’ll be a top 10 pick. But I don’t think he’ll be the second quarterback picked,” Schefter said. “I think Zach Wilson will be the second quarterback picked when all is said and done.
“I think [Justin] Fields is going to go high because he has tremendous ability, but I don’t think it can be as high as Trevor Lawrence, I don’t think it can be as high as Zach Wilson in the end.”
Does Schefter have a point?
Fields’ stock has taken a hit since the start of the Big 10 season. Overall, his numbers were skyrocketed in a shortened season of four games in which he threw for 1,107 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The problem is, there were still two more games to be played. Against the Big 10 better defenses in Indiana and Northwestern, Fields combined for 414 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions on the way to a College Football Playoff berth.
Recently, ESPN’s Desmond Howard also spoke on Fields’ surprising plummet.
Fields will have a chance to write his own story by the team the season concludes, but one cannot deny there are glaring issues with his overall game. The Buckeyes will have a test against Brent Venables and the Clemson defensive front.
Maybe that could at least make things interesting down the stretch with the BYU signal-caller in the race for No.2.