Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez answers three questions about how Alabama’s 52-24 victory Monday over Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship game could affect the Detroit Lions’ plans for the 2021 NFL draft:
Did Justin Fields hurt or help his stock in the loss?
The Ohio State quarterback didn’t have a great game. He was 17 of 33 for 194 passing yards with one touchdown and had six carries for 67 yards. But he did all of that while playing through a hip-pointer injury, and didn’t make excuses. In my mind, that should improve Fields’ stock as a gritty competitor who wants to play in an important game, even when he’s not at his best.