Denver Broncos: Team may regret passing on Justin Fields, Micah Parsons

1. Justin Fields, QB (Bears)

Since 2018, 33 teams around the NFL have allowed 22 points or fewer per game over the course of a season. Just five of those teams have finished with less than eight wins. The Broncos are responsible for two of those teams.

Now that may seem like a trivial stat, but one thing is certainly true. Denver’s quarterback play since Peyton Manning’s retirement has been subpar.

John Elway and company had cycled through a number of quarterbacks. Starting with seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian, journeyman quarterback Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, and most recent starter Drew Lock.

So when three quarterbacks came off the board in the first three picks there may have been some concerns that a quarterback would not fall to number nine. But Ohio State Buckeye, Justin Fields was still there when it was time for Paton to make his pick.

With quarterback play so clearly holding the team back. Many would have not been surprised to see the Broncos front office jump at the opportunity to pick Fields and have another shot at finding their franchise quarterback.

Fields’ college tape shows a quarterback that can do it all. His athleticism is the first thing that is often pointed to. But it is this combined with his arm talent, ability to make any throw, and intelligence that makes him a really intriguing pick.

The Chicago Bears liked Fields so much that they gave up a plethora of picks to move up to 11 to get their guy and it could turn out to be good business.

Fields has great arm talent, intelligence, and athleticism but all of that may be overshadowed by his personality. He was a real leader at Ohio and his desire to play football is really something to be admired. He played through the pain barrier in the 2021 Rose Bowl against Clemson.

All of those skills are exactly what the Denver Broncos could use for their quarterback of the future, especially as they look to develop their young wide receiver corps with massive upside.