Justin Fields knows that the quarterback position commonly dominates the first round of most NFL drafts, regardless of if they are first-round material. This year’s draft is no different, with five QB’s likely to go in the top 20 picks, with the potential for others to slide in towards the end of the round.
Ohio State’s Justin Fields, who is fighting with Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones for QB2 of the draft, checks a lot of boxes for teams that are needing to select a QB this year, and he would be a great addition, wherever he goes.
With Trevor Lawrence and Wilson seemingly locked in as the first and second overall selections, Justin Fields certainly is in the conversation for the San Francisco 49ers at the third overall pick, with the likes of the Atlanta Falcons (4th), Carolina Panthers (8th), Denver Broncos (9th) other likely landing spots.
Justin Fields may not get handed the starting job right out of the gate, but he surely deserves it – here are the three best destinations for the former Buckeye to go in this year’s first round.
Justin Fields destinations: Atlanta Falcons
4th Overall
Whether or not the front office for the Falcons agrees that they need to address their QB room, Justin Fields would be a fantastic addition to this offense for a few reasons.
Matt Ryan is currently the incumbent QB here, but with general manager Terry Fontenot seemingly at non-contentious odds with other members of the franchise about how long Ryan should be the starter, his starter days for ATL could be numbered. Justin Fields is a solid option for an offense that is stacked with talent, and sitting a year behind Ryan before taking over the reins would do him some good in helping his transition to the league.
Any signal-caller would dream of being able to throw to the likes of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, plus tight end Hayden Hurst has established himself as a solid option behind those two. With the RB slot likely being solved in this year’s draft, it would make sense for Justin Fields to be taken fourth overall by Atlanta.
On paper, Fields’ fit with new head coach Arthur Smith may not necessarily make the most sense, especially with the former Titans’ offensive coordinator running a run-first attack – but with the lack of rushing threat this roster currently has, Justin Fields would be given a lot of chances in a starting role, and he would continue the line of solid QBs leading the Falcons.
San Francisco 49ers
3rd Overall
The ‘smoke screen’ that the Niners have been creating this offseason with their move up to third overall for Alabama QB Mac Jones has been cute and all, but in all likelihood, that selection is likely down to who HC Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch like the most between Justin Fields and Trey Lance. With Fields’ production speaking volumes for how he would translate into the NFL, SF would be smart to bring Fields in to take over from Jimmy Garoppolo.
Jimmy G was never going to be that solution, especially in a Shanahan offense, but the team felt otherwise and now are on the hook financially for him. Recent reports about Sam Darnold having been a potential offseason target for SF obviously is moot at this point with his trade to the Panthers, but the Niners need to do something, and Justin Fields is the best option for them.
Shanahan would be able to do wonders with the kind of talent that Fields has, utilizing his agility to become a solid two-way star throwing and running the ball. Agility is something that a Shanahan-coached QB really has not had for a while, and even though the Niners made do with what they had, a player like the caliber of Justin Fields in an offense being run by the guru that Shanahan is will only help further the level of competition in the NFC West.
Denver Broncos
9th Overall
A bit of a shocker probably, but Justin Fields would be an outstanding fit in Denver, especially behind their solid offensive line and with a plethora of strong weapons to target.
A point that makes the Falcons extremely intriguing for Justin Fields is the exact reason why the Broncos are a great option as well – offensive weapons. In an offense that would allow Fields to target Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, Noah Fant, Melvin Gordon III, and probably another one or two weapons that they draft is absolutely gross, in a good way.
General manager George Patton will have his first chance to put his fingerprints all over this roster, and coming over from the Minnesota Vikings, Patton is well aware how important it is to have a mobile QB that is not held down by his inaccuracies, elements that Justin Fields can certainly help with.
An underrated element of what DEN would offer Fields is the fact that HC Vic Fangio, who is defensive-minded, would likely give the vast majority of coaching control to OC Pat Shurmur and not interfere with the development and plan of Fields, an element that the other two locations would not have, even though Fields certainly would benefit from working directly with both Smith and Shanahan.
Having Shurmur be retained by Fangio surprisingly marks the first time in four seasons that the Broncos do not need to find a new coach to run their offense, meaning that Fangio believes in Shurmur, even if he is a believer in incumbent QB Drew Lock. Previous GM John Elway selected Lock, and even though he has not panned out yet, he still remains on the roster and is a serviceable option that Denver can utilize – for the time being.
Justin Fields is going to be a great addition wherever he goes in this year’s draft, but there certainly are three options that would suit him best and put him on a better path to being able to justify his early selection.
With offseason talk swirling about his inaccuracies, play, and leadership clouding his talent, Justin Fields deserves to go to a place that wants him and would utilize his skillset efficiently – these three teams fit that bill.
Follow Us
Subscribe