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ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his final mock for the 2021 draft on Thursday morning, and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is in the top-10.
Kiper projects Fields will be selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 9 overall pick.
Denver would be a great landing spot for Fields, who is in need of a longterm answer at quarterback. The Broncos have a solid offensive line, a stellar defense and a group of young, promising skill players (including former Iowa tight end Noah Fant).
The Broncos do have Drew Lock and newly-acquired Teddy Bridgewater currently on the roster, but neither is viewed as a longterm solution. Here’s what Kiper said about Fields going to Denver in this mock:
“Does the trade for Teddy Bridgewater take the Broncos out of the quarterback discussion? It shouldn’t, not with the team easily being able to move on from Bridgewater and Drew Lock in 2022. I’m a huge fan of Fields, and Denver should pounce if he’s still on the board.”
Fields’ draft stock has been one of the biggest stories of this entire draft. He was the presumptive No. 2 overall pick entering the season, but now could be the fourth or fifth quarterback off the board.
The draft starts on Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.