NEWSLETTER
This is the time of year where my brain warns me to take everything with a grain of salt. But there is simply too much noise surrounding Justin Fields’ draft stock this close to the draft.
Because with two days remaining before the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields’ stock is seemingly taking a late tumble:
My 2021 Mock Draft…full explanation of all 32 picks here: https://t.co/lCNaOJ7FWk pic.twitter.com/JFpIA8qFs6
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 27, 2021
Closer gets to the draft less I think Denver is taking a QB in the first.
Obviously could, and if the right specific QB was there it would certainly be a conversation, but the way this thing is shaking out I'm trending they go a different direction.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) April 27, 2021
I think hes in the teens either way
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) April 27, 2021
On the extreme end of things, Pro Football Talk analyst Chris Simms has Fields nearly falling out of the first round altogether. Simms’ mock draft has the Ohio State product going to the Buccaneers with the final pick of Round 1. Four quarterbacks go in the top-10 when Trey Lance goes at No. 8, following Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Mac Jones are chosen 1-2-3. But Fields gets thrown out of the top-10, makes it through the teens without being selected, slips out of the 20s, and nearly trips out of the first round altogether.
I’m not sure if Simms is trying too hard, aiming for clicks or attention, enjoys being on some extra hipster wave, or simply sees things so differently and has the platform to share his contrarian opinion. But I don’t think Simms is the type to be out-of-step for the sake of it. Even still … I find it nearly impossible to see the Bears passing on Fields to take Rashawn Slater — even if they might’ve loved what they saw from his Pro Day.
NFL insider Benjamin Allbright has Fields’ fall being less aggressive, projecting Fields as a pick going in the 13-19 range.
In the end, Fields’ fall is eye-popping. Remember, Fields entered the 2020 college football season as QB2. And his performance – albeit in a truncated year – didn’t merit a free-fall on draft day. Moreover, he garnered rave reviews for his Pro Day efforts. What gives? Are reports of Fields disclosing to teams that he is managing epilepsy triggering a fall? I have questions, but I’m unsure if fulfilling answers exist.
Ultimately, here’s where I land: If Fields drops down NFL Draft boards, then the Bears should keep an open mind and maintain flexibility that would allow them to trade up to take him. And if Fields’ fall means Chicago has to send less in future draft capital to bring him into the fold, then so be it. Players with Fields’ skills, athleticism, pedigree, and résumé don’t tend to slip as much as the current conversation suggests. And if the Bears are the beneficiary, then so be it. After all, isn’t Chicago football due to get some good QB luck?
