The opinions and projections all vary greatly.
To some, Ohio State’s Justin Fields might be the NFL’s next great dual-threat quarterback. To others, he’s an intriguing project saddled with questions about his ability to duplicate college heroics on the next level.
He’s the third-best passer in the draft, according to some draft analysts, and the fifth or sixth best to others. Fields, according to some mock drafts, could hear his name called within the first five picks, or he could slide out of the top 10.
One thing’s for certain: Fields and his future rank among of this year’s greatest draft mysteries.
The quarterback certainly has the resume – two undefeated regular seasons as a starter, back-to-back Big Ten Conference championships and a Heisman Trophy finalist campaign – and equally impressive physical traits, including his size (6-3, 228), speed (4.43-second 40-yard dash), accuracy and arm strength.
However, in the lead-up to the NFL draft, Fields has found himself more heavily scrutinized than any other member of his position group. There’s a double standard at play. While his question areas or perceived weaknesses set off alarms in the eyes of some draft analysts, many of Fields’ peers have had their shortcomings minimized or explained away.
Fields is the latest in a…
