I have just about two feet out of the door when it comes to the NFL, but I’ve been interested in the player movement during free agency. Russ going to the Steelers, with Arthur Smith as the OC, is really interesting and appealing. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the rumors that the Raiders are interested in Justin Fields.
I’ve seen the highs and lows of Justin Fields, but overall I would be okay with him on my team. I’ll add the caveat of how much it will cost to get him, though. I would definitely not want to give up any first-round picks this year or next, but I would give up a second-round pick or two for Fields. I didn’t think Fields had a lot of help in Chicago, so I think there could be some upside. He’s in the vein of Kyler Murray, which isn’t the best, but I think I would take Fields over Murray.
Seattle just swapped couple picks with the Commanders to get Sam Howell. A decent amount of draft capital for a back-up QB, but Howell could be a legitimate starter (ie: one of the top 32 QBs in the league).
That’s way too much for me. I would only want a late round pick at best for him. To me, I don’t think a weak supporting cast explains his lackluster performance so far; and the chances of him improving, at this point, is really low in my view.
Basically, they gave up a 3rd for a 4th and 4th for a 5th. I’m not sold on Howell, but, for me, his future is murky. That is, I wouldn’t close the door on him being a Super Bowl QB, especially in a more run-first offense (whereas I think the door is closed on someone like Fields or Drew Lock; and I’m very close to putting Geno in there).
In any event, the move is curious. It suggests they’re not confident that they’ll get a QB they’re really excited about. The move suggests they want to be comfortable at the QB position going into the draft and the season.
The players they have not chosen to resign almost makes me feel like they believe they’re not close to a Super Bowl–that they are more in a rebuilding year. Or, they think Mike MacDonald is a defensive wizard who can elevate the defense significantly and with a strong run game, they can make some noise (but not Super Bowl noise).
Wow, you are extremely low on Fields. I think Howell is close if not a legitimate starter in the NFL, but not close to Fields. I think Fields’ ceiling is a top 15 QB. He is definitely in the conversation of being the best running QB ever. Howell, on the other hand, doesn’t particularly have any outstanding strengths. Kaepernick almost won a Super Bowl, and I would much rather hitch my wagon to Fields than Kaep, just based on talent. All that being said, I’m far from saying Fields is good. In some highlights and parts of games I’ve seen, he looked horrible. But if I was a Raider fan, I would prefer the hope of Fields over O’Connell or Minshew.
I kinda like O’Connell, but not enough to be happy with him starting next year. I like Minshew, too, but I think he’s a very good backup, but not a good starter. I’m not happy with the Raiders going into the season with just those two, but I wouldn’t want to trade anything except a later round pick for Fields.
He hasn’t flashed any of the the pocket/throwing skills. With QBs like Josh Allen and Cam Newton, they showed the throwing ability–for the most part, recklessness/ball security was their biggest problems. I don’t feel that way about Fields. To me, Fields QB play so far reminds me more of Trubisky. He’s on the same trajectory in my view.
To me, he should play in an offense like the 2019 Ravens. That would give him the best chance to succeed and maybe even develop. But I’m pessimistic he would develop the pocket skills/throwing that I think a QB needs to win a Super Bowl.
I’m not enthusiastic about Howell, but, right now, I’d give him the edge over Fields.