Comparing Trevor Lawrence to Justin Fields is an Irresponsible Take

We'll start and end the conversation here -- no team is tanking for Justin Fields, and that is with all due respect to the Ohio State star.

Fields is a Heisman favorite and likely 2021 top-10 NFL Draft pick. He could rise even higher, but he is no Trevor Lawrence. Fields is still developing as a passer and remains in an offense which highlights his strengths, which speaks to the ingenuity of Ryan Day. Lawrence, meanwhile, relies steadily on the run game with Travis Etienne, and despite OSU's loaded backfield, Fields has not performed nearly as well on the greatest stage college football can offer.

That makes this comparison, at this very point in the conversation, unfair to Fields for several reasons.

First, we have no idea what kind of player Fields can be at his peak. Both the Big Ten and ACC are filled with teams that don't belong on the same field as the Buckeyes and Tigers, respectively. Lawrence, thanks to a brilliant freshman season capped off by a win over Alabama, got his chance to prove himself as arguably the best pure passing prospect of the past decade. Fields, who operates far differently and frequently outside the pocket, failed in his only CFP opportunity.

Lawrence is the best passer in his class by a mile, and would've been the top pick in either of the last two NFL Drafts. Fields is arguably more exciting, and in the right NFL offense could excel just as much.

We've been comparing Fields and Lawrence since their high school days. There's no avoiding the constant contrast. But, at least for now, there is no argument -- and that's just fine. Give these two another season to duke it out.