The first day of the 2021 NFL draft is behind us and there is an obvious winner. The Chicago Bears drafted Justin Fields with the 11th pick in the draft and it is a match made in heaven. On top of the Bears making a good pick, the rest of the field made a lot of questionable picks, so the Bears stand alone atop the pack for first-day draft success.

The Pick

Justin Fields was far too overlooked in this draft. Whether it be a race thing, an Ohio State thing, or any other number of factors, it was borderline negligent to let him fall to 11. Fields runs a 4.40 40 yard dash, has a cannon, and played his best game on the brightest stage. His work ethic has been lauded by coaches and he is a great fit with what the Bears want to do in the long term.

Fields will likely have an immediate impact in Chicago as the starting quarterback. He might begin the season behind Andy Dalton, but few people expect that to last. Fields has an immediate impact as a versatile passer and presence in the pocket. He has an elite downfield ball and he will be able to find receivers who create separation.

Justin Fields is the quarterback Allen Robinson has dreamed of. After years of running perfect routes only to be underthrown by Mitchell Trubisky, Fields has the perfect arm to capitalize off of Robinson's strengths. Fields will have a solid line to keep him safe, but even if he didn't, he is an elite mover and a true dual-threat QB. Defenses will have to simultaneously prepare for his elite arm downfield and his elite feet upfield.

Fields could very well be the difference between another disappointing playoff run and a Super Bowl ring for the Chicago Bears. They have an elite defense and solid surrounding talent, but they have not had a starting level quarterback for Matt Nagy's entire tenure as head coach. Justin Fields could completely change that.

The Other Picks

There were some pretty head-scratching picks throughout the rest of the first round. The first four picks all made sense. Trevor Lawrence to the Jaguars was the obvious pick and the right one, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance were two very high ceiling guys and there is a lot to like there for each team. Kyle Pitts was also a great pick for Atlanta. After that though, it begins to fall apart.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Former #2 pick Ryan Leaf and the Bears eventual #1 pick Caleb Williams

Sonny Giuliano ·

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin with quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields

Sonny Giuliano ·

Caleb Williams (USC football) as Marcus of The Bear, then add a 2024 Chicago Bears logo on the uniform of Sydney (woman on left)

Rexwell Villas ·

Both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins passed on generational tackle Penei Sewell to draft wide receivers. While the two receivers they picked, Ja'Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle, are great, they don't protect the most valuable asset each team has as Sewell would. These picks seemed motivated by the college chemistry each receiver had with their quarterbacks, but it is short-sighted.

Next, three teams that could have used a quarterback, but they all passed on Fields. The Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos chose to take cornerbacks over a potential franchise cornerstone. The Eagles pick is perhaps even less defensible, taking a wide receiver despite not having a proven quarterback to throw to them. So, the Bears couldn't wait any longer.

Conclusion

In the end, Justin Fields might not be an incredible, top-tier quarterback, but he was a great pick. His falling to an organization like the Bears is huge for the future of football in Chicago. Fields will provide immediate impact for the Bears and help them immensely in the long term as well.