Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY NETWORK

Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY NETWORK


My case for the 49ers to draft Justin Fields

Apr 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
When the San Francisco 49ers were drafting at No. 12, there was a lot of speculation about which quarterback might fall and who that might be. The only quarterback who seemed to have a chance to fall to twelve was Mac Jones. However, the 49ers aren't selecting at twelve anymore because they took a huge swing and traded three first rounds picks to move up to pick at No. 3. This means there will likely be three of the consensus top-five quarterback prospects still on the board.

This is my case for Justin Fields.

Fields is a unique specimen at the quarterback position. Everyone on Twitter wants to pigeonhole Fields into a "type" of quarterback and what he could become in Shanahan's offense. Some say he's a runner who can also throw. Others say he's a slow processor who only throws to his first read. I'll make this easy for everyone. Don't try to label him. Justin Fields is a quarterback first, who displays extreme toughness and might be the most athletic person on the football field as well.

Measurables
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 227 lbs.
Hand: 9 ⅛
Arm: 32 4/8

If someone had to pick one trait that is the most important in Kyle Shanahan's offense, it is that the quarterback needs to be accurate. Fields is extremely accurate at all three levels of the field. In 2020, he posted an impressive 69.9% completion percentage, which followed his 2019 campaign of 66.8%. These numbers are even more impressive, considering he did it against the toughest defenses faced by the top five quarterback prospects. His completion percentage also wasn't the result of a bunch of screens, RPOs, shallow crossers, etc. Fields was never afraid to push the ball down the field, with 66 20+ yard attempts and a 51% completion percentage on those throws. Fields showed off that arm during his Pro Day, repeatedly completing passes 50+ yards down the field. His Pro Day performance alone might have been impressive enough to make him the #3 overall pick.

The possibility of adding Justin Fields to the 49ers' yards after the catch (YAC) attack could eventually lead to historic offensive numbers. During Fields' tenure at Ohio State, the majority of his passing yards came before the catch. In that vein, in 2020, 70% of his passing yards came before the catch (air yards). This impressive number was almost as good as Fields' 2019 season, during which 72% of his passing yards were air yards. In comparison, during the 49ers' 2019 Super Bowl run, Jimmy Garrapolo only had 46% of his passing yards before the catch and still was only 22 yards shy of throwing for 4,000 yards. In additional comparisons, Zach Wilson (62%), Trey Lance (54% - 2019), Mac Jones (47%), and Trevor Lawrence (43%) each had markedly lower percentages of their passing yards before the catch. Adding Fields' downfield passing to the already potent and athletic YAC Attack could take Kyle Shanahan's offense to an elite level.

If you listened to Kyle Shanahan in his latest press conference, you might have heard him say, "You want an elite player, and of course, if you can get a guy who is elite with his arm and can play in that pocket and do everything and still run around and make off-schedule plays. I mean, that's what you've seen with [Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick] Mahomes." Kyle is looking for an elite thrower of the football and an elite athlete. Justin Fields is that guy. Fields posted a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, and that speed shows up on tape as well; his first touchdown at Ohio State came on an untouched, 51-yard run against Florida Atlantic University. He has playmaking ability with his arm and his legs.

I have no doubts that Kyle has had "his guy" in his sights for weeks now and will be sprinting to the podium with the No. 3 overall pick. Not only will this player upgrade the most important position in sports, but the 49ers will reset the salary cap at the position as well, allowing the team to keep its talented roster intact for years to come and firmly prop open a Super Bowl window.

The next pick for the 49ers will be the quarterback from Ohio State, Justin Fields.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


0 Comments

  • No Comments

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



No Huddle Podcast: 49ers-Seahawks Preview And Fred Warner's Case For Canton

By Site Staff
Nov 22

(Episode 288) - Al Sacco in solo to discuss past 49ers that are in the Hall of Fame, if Fred Warner's resume is good enough to make it, big offensive numbers from the stars this season so far, what is different about the Seahawks this year, and more! The audio for the show is embedded above. Don't forget to subscribe! You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast" episode above, from our dedicated podcast page, on Apple



Brock Purdy reflects on rollercoaster draft, 49ers journey

By David Bonilla
Nov 22

The 2022 NFL Draft brought a rollercoaster of emotions for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Although he realistically expected not to be selected in the first two days, he clung to hope that an NFL team would call on the third day. His patience paid off, but not without its share of drama, as he became the last overall pick at number 262. The draft process took its toll, with Purdy and his father even taking a nap during the sixth round, tired from anxiously waiting to see his name flash on the broadcast. After waking from that nap, Purdy got a call from the 49ers. "They said, 'Hey, we have one more pick in the seventh round and we're gonna try to take you — it's between you and a safety,'" Purdy shared with



49ers Notebook: Brandon Aiyuk's highlight performance; What did Nick Bosa say to Baker Mayfield?; Chase Young raves about 49ers atmosphere

By Kirk Larrabee
Nov 19

The 49ers moved to 7-3 on Sunday with a 27-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that featured a number of memorable moments. Two of them were produced by wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who had a day for the highlight reel, and defensive end Nick Bosa, who produced more entertaining moments with Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. We've got a look at both of those topics in this edition of 49ers Notebook, as well as what 49ers defensive end Chase Young said after the game about his new team. Let's get into it... Aiyuk leads the way for 49ers pass catchers vs. Buccaneers In a day of big performances for the 49ers, one that stood out from the pack was that of Aiyuk, who finished with five receptions for 156 yards and one



49ers Notebook: Nine years later, 49ers get Thanksgiving revenge over Seahawks; Shanahan, Purdy discuss key throws vs. Seahawks; What happened to Christian McCaffrey's helmet?

By Kirk Larrabee
Nov 24

It took nine years, but the San Francisco 49ers finally got some payback on Thursday night for the Seattle Seahawks feasting on turkey after a win at Levi's Stadium in 2014. The Seahawks' 19-3 win over the 49ers on Thanksgiving in 2014 was the last time either team played on Thanksgiving before Thursday night, and after that game then-Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and cornerback Richard Sherman dug into the postgame turkey at the 50-yard line of Levi's Stadium at a time when the rivalry between the two teams was at a peak. The 49ers flipped the script on Thursday, notching a 31-13 win over the Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle that was followed by a slew of 49ers getting their fill of Thanksgiving turkey, courtesy of NBC. "That was a moment I'll remember


Latest

More by Tim Sprinkles

More Articles

Share 49ersWebzone