2021 NFL Draft chatter: Justin Fields falls into Patriots laps after trade up?

At some point of this unusual pre-draft workout season, Justin Fields, an outstanding college quarterback at one of the biggest programs in the country, has been overtaken by prospects from North Dakota State and BYU.

Trey Lance has just 319 college passing attempts under his helmet entering draft day, while Wilson’s 33 touchdowns against three interceptions has front offices salivating.

Frankly, I don’t get it. Both may end up being outstanding, but at the very least, I believe one will go bust.

As for Fields…for the better part of a year, the conversation was Trevor Lawrence and Fields. What exactly did he do to get overtaken by Lance and Wilson? After all, Fields is just one season removed from throwing 41 touchdowns against three picks playing a Power-5 schedule in the Big Ten. You don’t have to answer. You take Lance for”what he could be!” Isn’t that why you take anyone of these prospects.

Back to Fields: It’s not like he tanked in his final season with the Buckeyes. Twenty-two touchdowns against six picks and beating Clemson in the CFP Semifinal should count for something.

But I know, I know, Zach Wilson went full-blown Patrick Mahomes at his pro day, throwing against air. I think someone had the video showing Blaine Gabbert do the same thing. As for Lance, PFF, the analytically oriented site loves him, stating that his arm and ability to run are the reasons the 49ers make the trade up.

OK, so about the Pats and Fields…PFN’s Benjamin Allbright recently drew up his one and only mock draft of the season and in it, he had the Patriots trading with the Panthers at No. 8. Yep, Bill Belichick lands Fields with the 8th pick. OF course this is how it works out. Can’t you just see Belichick getting back to the Super Bowl, retiring Brady en route to passing Don Shula on the all-time wins list with Fields under center?

I mention Allbright’s mock because he’s really good at this stuff. For what its’ worth, Ben had Wilson going 2nd to the Jets and Lance going third to 49ers. Alabama’s Mac Jones went 20th the Bears.

In full transparency, I wasn’t a Fields believer when he transferred from Georgia, but he made a believer out of me and was truly outstanding. He’s Ohio State’s best NFL quarterback prospect of all-time.

Leave it to The Hoodie to scoop him up as new “geniuses” such as Kyle Shanahan plot their own course, ditching quarterbacks who’ve been to the Super Bowl for players who would’ve been considered a reach six months ago.