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2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Ohio State QB Justin Fields to Washington?

By Ryan Homler

2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Justin Fields to Washington? originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

The 2020 NFL season is just five weeks old, but mock draft season never stops. That is especially the case when one finds themselves in the situation that the Washington Football Team is in.

During the 2019 NFL Draft, Washington took Dwayne Haskins in the first round with the hope that the quarterback position would be sured-up for years to come. Early in his second season, that has not been the case. Haskins was benched and moved to No. 3 on the depth chart. Even if there is still potential there, Washington doesn’t see itself winning with him now.

While Alex Smith is back and Kyle Allen knows the system, it’s unclear whether anyone in that QB room is the long-term solution. Right now there are more questions than answers. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Washington look to the position again come the 2021 NFL Draft.

According to some early mock drafts, that is exactly what could happen.

2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup

Well, it seems as if Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is the consensus option for Washington at quarterback. Whether it is at No. 3 or No. 4, these mock drafts expect Washington to be in the running for the second passer off the board (Trevor Lawrence is first in each mock draft).

It is interesting to note that the New York Giants are above Washington in each draft, but do not take a QB in any of them. So, to recap, despite Daniel Jones — who was drafted above Haskins in 2019 — leading New York to a worse record than Washington, the Giants stick with their QB. Hmm.

Anyways, back to Fields. The dual-threat quarterback is set to be the starter for the Buckeyes in 2020 after a tremendous sophomore year. Throwing for 3,273 yards and 41 touchdowns, Fields also added 484 yards and 10 scores on the ground. With only three interceptions, he displayed a polished passing game and tremendous accuracy.

A selection of Fields would make it the second-straight Ohio State quarterback to head to Washington, but Fields would have two years of starting experience to Haskins’ one as a Buckeye. Either way, while Fields has all the talent to succeed at the NFL level, a lot of his potential early work will depend on what Washington can put around him. The offensive line needs work and Terry McLaurin can’t be the only viable option at the receiver position.

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports has Washington going with a QB but the North Dakota State product, Trey Lance. A similar skillset to Fields, Lance is more of a wild card option given his conference and the fact that he’ll have just a one-game showcase in 2020 for scouts.

Just as the situation with Haskins changed rapidly, plenty of variables will impact where Washington goes in the draft come April of 2021. For now, however, it seems as if another passer could be added to the quarterback puzzle. 

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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