Dependability piece: Determined to put Justin Fields in the best position to excel, general manager Ryan Poles studied quarterbacks who flourished in their second NFL seasons. One commonality he discovered was the existence of a talented playmaker at one of the skill positions.
“It’s the dependability piece,” Poles said in February at the NFL Combine. “Sometimes it can be a slot receiver, sometimes it can be a second tight end, sometimes it’s a big outside [receiver]. There’s just a relationship piece that they can go to that they trust, that they work with all offseason, that they get that connection that allows them … it’s almost like they get bailed out with that guy, and I think it’s important.”
On Tuesday, Fields was asked about the traits he’s seeking in that “dependability piece.”
“There are multiple things,” Fields said. “One, you’ve got to have that connection. Y’all have to be on the same page with what concept you’re running, with what coverage you’re running to. And then the second thing is that ‘it’ factor, that dog mentality where no matter what the situation it is, what coverage it is, who’s guarding you, that he’s going to make a play.
“Just that mentality and having that mentality in big moments will describe that player that you’re talking about.”