Clayton: It’s starting to look like Justin Fields is the best fit in Denver
Apr 23, 2021, 1:52 PM
Broncos general manager George Paton didn’t tip off which first-round quarterback would be a fit for Denver when he met the media on Thursday, but you start to get the feeling Justin Fields from Ohio State might be the preference.
Paton wants a quarterback to compete against Drew Lock, whom he talked positively about Thursday. It’s not as though he wants to replace Lock, but he knows the Broncos need the quarterback to play better for the team to be better. Getting Teddy Bridgewater could provide what Paton’s seeking, but there doesn’t seem to be a buzz that anything is happening on that front.
The reason Fields could be the answer is that he’s mobile, he’s athletic and he may have one of the best chances of challenging Lock. Paton has to be okay on the Ohio State quarterback’s epilepsy problems, but no one has said it did him damage on the field in college.
What is interesting is that he might be the quarterback to drop to the No. 7 or No. 9 spots in the first round. Though many people doing mock drafts around the country have Fields going to San Francisco at the No. 3 pick, he might not fit well in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
Shanahan likes smart, accurate quarterbacks who get rid of the ball quickly and do well with down-and-distance situations. Fields is a playmaker who will run around to make plays. Because of that, he holds on to the ball for an average of 2.96 seconds. Mac Jones and Trey Lance release the ball in a little over 2.2 seconds.
Atlanta or Detroit could take Fields at No. 4 or No. 7. So Paton will watch the draft next Thursday, see how the quarterbacks go and whether he needs to move up to get Fields.
Unlike Lance, Fields has two years of starting experience. He combined for a 20-2 record at Ohio State. He completes 68.4 percent of his passes and has a total of 5,071 passing yards. You also have to like his touchdown-to-interception ratio. He threw 67 touchdown passes and only nine interceptions for the Buckeyes. Plus, you can easily expect 500 or more rushing yards from him on a 17-game schedule.
Whatever happens, there will be a lot of quarterback drama for the Broncos next Thursday.
