It is no secret, 2017 is the worst quarterback draft class in recent memory. It is why the best option for teams looking to draft a quarterback this year might be to trade for Tom Brady’s backup, Jimmy Garrapolo. It is why Texas Tech quarterback Pat Mahomes, not even a thought to be drafted a year ago today, has risen into second round consideration. Here are my thoughts on the various quarterbacks available.
Mitch Trubisky: There is one franchise quarterback in this draft, and that is North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky. He is mobile, has a strong arm, and can make all the throws with zip and accuracy. He should, and will be the first quarterback off the board.
Deshaun Watson: The most famous quarterback in this draft is Clemson’s Deshaun Watson. Of course, his college coach Dabo Sweeney thinks he is the best thing since sliced bread. However, I think he is more of a career backup/borderline starter than anything. He is decent; he has a nice mixture of decent running and throwing skills. But there is nothing in him that pops off the charts to me. He is not an attention grabber, so to speak.
Deshone Kizer: Notre Dame’s Deshone Kizer is perhaps the most overrated quarterback we have seen in quite some time. He is just a bigger version of Michael Vick although not as fast. The NFL has figured out how to deal with running quarterbacks. In fact, Michael Vic ranks at #8 for running quarterbacks, going all the way back to the 1960’s. Kizer has bust written all over him.
Pat Mahomes: Listen, it’s not that the scouts don’t like this guy. He’s a decent hard-working quarterback. But this is what happens when you have a weak quarterback class, and enough NFL teams desperate to fill the position. He just not NFL starting material.
Brad Kaaya: This is the unknown player, the “enigma” of the class. Kaaya is a slowly rising but unknown talent. I think he could be good with the right coaching and situation. However, that is a long shot because all of the teams that would provide that for him have their guy.
Nathan Peterman: The Pittsburgh quarterback currently sits in round five. He’s never going to start, but he could be someone’s backup solution.
Chad Kelly: Only in this weak class could a guy who was kicked out of one program, refused to work at the next program, suffered a season ending injury early last season, and was not invited to the NFL combinewould be considered a 6th round draft choice. This guy is a talented, but arrogant, injury prone young man, and I wouldn’t go anywhere near him.
