Why Does Matthew Berry Believe Justin Fields Will Excel More as an NFL QB Than in Fantasy This Year?
Last season, Justin Fields solidified his place as a sensation in the realm of fantasy football. With the Bears' offensive strategist, Luke Getsy, tailoring the game plan to Fields' dynamic running ability, the rookie's fantasy stock soared. Between Week 7 and Week 17 (excluding the final week due to injury), Fields ranked as the third top fantasy QB, racking up 20 or more points in six of those nine games. His yearly stats saw him second in quarterback rushing yards in the annals of the NFL.
However, Matthew Berry, the fantasy aficionado from NBC Sports, suggests fans exercise caution before jumping the gun and securing Fields early in this year's fantasy draft.
«In my book, he's more of a fifth-rounder,» Berry remarked during a teaser for the upcoming Under Center Podcast on NBC Sports Chicago. «He ranks 56th on my list, placing him as the seventh-best quarterback this season."
Berry emphasizes an intriguing possibility: "While Fields might flourish even more as an NFL quarterback this season, his fantasy outputs might not mirror that upward trajectory.»
One of Berry's central arguments is the Bears' probable shift in strategy, making Fields operate more from the pocket this year. The 2023 game plan leans towards a balanced offensive onslaught. The inclusion of talents like D.J. Moore and Robert Tonyan aims to amplify Fields' passing game rather than banking heavily on his running prowess� not the best news from a fantasy viewpoint.
Berry highlights, «The elite echelon of fantasy quarterbacks, specifically four out of the top six, each boasted 700 or more rushing yards.»
Despite accumulating an impressive 1,143 rushing yards last season, any decline in Fields' running stats might shift him from being the third best QB to maybe the seventh. Berry also emphasized that Fields' spectacular, record-breaking runs, like consecutive 61 and 67-yard dashes, might not be a regular feature moving forward.
Berry said, «It's hard to predict such consistent stellar runs.»
While Berry applauds Fields as a top-tier talent, ranking him seventh among quarterbacks, he remains hesitant to place him in the fantasy top three, as some experts might.
«Fields is undeniably talented. He can rack up fantasy points both with his throws and runs, and I foresee him maturing as a thrower. I'm optimistic about his NFL season, and I believe he'll fare well in fantasy too. My only reservation is that his real-life performances might eclipse his fantasy contributions.”
| POLL | ||
23 AOUT | 39 ANSWERS Why Does Matthew Berry Believe Justin Fields Will Excel More as an NFL QB Than in Fantasy This Year? Is Justin Fields better IRL or at Fantasy? | ||
| IRL | 18 | 46.2 % |
| Fantasy | 21 | 53.8 % |
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