Obviously I haven't studied the top NFL Draft prospects as much as the teams have, I don't know what they are looking for, and I also don't have the benefit of talking to their coaches, but after looking at all the first round QBs, I've determined Justin Fields is my #1 overall prospect. Better than Wilson, and yes, better than Lawrence. I would rank them as follows:
1. Fields
2. Wilson
3. Lawrence
4. Lance
5. Jones
My basic reasoning is when you combine all the physical attributes with what is shown on video, factor in the level of competition faced, and account for off-field behavior, nobody has demonstrated more physical ability, understanding of the game on the field, and drive to be great off it than Fields has. Alabama put up 52 points on Ohio State in the National Title game, so even if Fields was healthy in that game, he would have been hard-pressed to lead his team to victory. I don't want to hear any nonsense about Jones being a better prospect because of that game. That's just an absurd assertion. Could Jones be a better pro? Sure, but I'm betting everyday and twice on Sunday that Justin Fields will be a better pro.
My initial concern about Fields was he might not have the intelligence I want in my QB. The stuff I have heard and the limited video I had seen of him with single or half-field reads gave me pause, especially when I saw Trey Lance had Ivy League offers, ran the most NFL-like offense, and is easily the brightest of all these guys. But when I looked closer, I became more impressed with Fields. I found more video of him making full field progressions, looking off safeties, and understanding defenses. I even learned how he gave up meat in an effort to improve his performance and was impressed with his reasoning. Through my study, it's also become apparent Ohio State doesn't have hot receivers in many of their passing schemes, which basically put more on him to make plays out of nothing. I believe he can do a lot more going through progressions than many think. There was also concern that he only throws when he sees guys open, without anticipation. Nope. I found several examples of him throwing before receivers made breaks or turned their heads. He can recognize blitzes, change protections, avoid pressure, be nimble in the pocket to find throwing lanes, break tackles, make sidearm throws, throw accurately on the run, and make guys miss in the open field.
Does Fields make mistakes? Of course. They all do. There were examples of him missing wide open receivers or throwing to the wrong guy, but even many of his wrong choices were productive plays. There were examples of waiting too long and throwing picks, but every QB does this now and then. I didn't see many examples of Fields being completely fooled by the defense, like thinking he had man when it was zone. I saw several examples of Trevor Lawrence being fooled this way.
Zach Wilson is my #2 because he didn't play the competition Fields did, and he isn't as big, strong, or fast as Fields. I don't see Wilson as risky as I do Trevor Lawrence, because I like the whip arm Wilson has, and his fluidity as an athlete, in addition to how well he seems to manipulate defenses. Lawrence, like most QBs, is great when he's got protection and blocking, but I really saw some alarming things when studying him that I didn't expect to see. Given Lawrence is as guilty of the same things as Fields, I'd rather have the better athlete with the bigger chip on his shoulder, and that, to me is Justin Fields.
1. Fields
2. Wilson
3. Lawrence
4. Lance
5. Jones
My basic reasoning is when you combine all the physical attributes with what is shown on video, factor in the level of competition faced, and account for off-field behavior, nobody has demonstrated more physical ability, understanding of the game on the field, and drive to be great off it than Fields has. Alabama put up 52 points on Ohio State in the National Title game, so even if Fields was healthy in that game, he would have been hard-pressed to lead his team to victory. I don't want to hear any nonsense about Jones being a better prospect because of that game. That's just an absurd assertion. Could Jones be a better pro? Sure, but I'm betting everyday and twice on Sunday that Justin Fields will be a better pro.
My initial concern about Fields was he might not have the intelligence I want in my QB. The stuff I have heard and the limited video I had seen of him with single or half-field reads gave me pause, especially when I saw Trey Lance had Ivy League offers, ran the most NFL-like offense, and is easily the brightest of all these guys. But when I looked closer, I became more impressed with Fields. I found more video of him making full field progressions, looking off safeties, and understanding defenses. I even learned how he gave up meat in an effort to improve his performance and was impressed with his reasoning. Through my study, it's also become apparent Ohio State doesn't have hot receivers in many of their passing schemes, which basically put more on him to make plays out of nothing. I believe he can do a lot more going through progressions than many think. There was also concern that he only throws when he sees guys open, without anticipation. Nope. I found several examples of him throwing before receivers made breaks or turned their heads. He can recognize blitzes, change protections, avoid pressure, be nimble in the pocket to find throwing lanes, break tackles, make sidearm throws, throw accurately on the run, and make guys miss in the open field.
Does Fields make mistakes? Of course. They all do. There were examples of him missing wide open receivers or throwing to the wrong guy, but even many of his wrong choices were productive plays. There were examples of waiting too long and throwing picks, but every QB does this now and then. I didn't see many examples of Fields being completely fooled by the defense, like thinking he had man when it was zone. I saw several examples of Trevor Lawrence being fooled this way.
Zach Wilson is my #2 because he didn't play the competition Fields did, and he isn't as big, strong, or fast as Fields. I don't see Wilson as risky as I do Trevor Lawrence, because I like the whip arm Wilson has, and his fluidity as an athlete, in addition to how well he seems to manipulate defenses. Lawrence, like most QBs, is great when he's got protection and blocking, but I really saw some alarming things when studying him that I didn't expect to see. Given Lawrence is as guilty of the same things as Fields, I'd rather have the better athlete with the bigger chip on his shoulder, and that, to me is Justin Fields.
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