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Five Washington Football Team prospects to watch in Alabama vs. Ohio State

By Jacob Camenker

Alabama QB Mac Jones. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama QB Mac Jones. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) throws a pass during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Clemson Tigers at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) throws a pass during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Clemson Tigers at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl /

I’m listing Fields here as a formality more than anything else. Ron Rivera has made it clear that finding a quarterback this offseason is the priority for Washington.

However, it’s hard to imagine that Fields will be available with the 19th overall pick. He is a consensus top-three quarterback in this class and many have him as the No. 2 passer behind Trevor Lawrence and ahead of Zach Wilson. Some think that Fields could go with the No. 2 pick to the Jets and will likely be a top-five pick.

That said, it’s still possible that Fields could slip if players like Wilson and Trey Lance rise. And if that happens, Washington could trade up to get him. Fields has had an up-and-down year playing in just seven games, but when he has played well, he has flashed the tools of a franchise quarterback.

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Fields has a cannon of an arm and is, arguably, the most mobile quarterback among the first-round options in this draft. He runs with ease and that ability will make him fit into the NFL well at this point, considering how important dual-threat quarterbacks are becoming. He can serve as a big-time playmaker and has been a true leader for the Ohio State offense this season.

However, Fields has had some struggles with accuracy at points and will need to refine his mechanics and footwork to put everything together at the NFL level. He’ll also need to improve his ability to read the field a bit, but with good coaching, all of these issues should subside.

Some Washington fans may be scared of Fields because of the failure of Haskins, but it’s important to scout the player, not the helmet. Haskins being a bust doesn’t mean Fields will be a bust. Fields may need to work on some areas to improve in the NFL, but if he brings a better attitude than Haskins did, he should be able to find success.

Fields may be on the outer-edge of availability for Washington, but they will surely be interested in him. After all, he did just carve up the Clemson defense and throw as many touchdowns in that game as incompletions (six each). That game showcased what his ceiling could be and it will certainly excite some NFL decision-makers.

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