2017 NFL Draft Quarterbacks Are Failing To Impress
By Erik Lambert
After seeing quarterbacks go in the top two picks each of the past two years, the 2017 NFL draft inevitably began to search for who could keep that trend running.
Unfortunately the 2016 college football seasons has not generated the same runaway hype that previous years have. It looked for a time like Notre Dame standout DeShone Kizer would be the runaway #1 pick next April. That may have to be scaled back. Two things teams look for in a top QB coming out of college are either wins or stats. If they excel in one of those categories they tend to get the benefit of the doubt.
There is no question Kizer is a physical talent, but his productivity deserves some criticism. He currently ranks 40th in the FBS with 1,775 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. On top of that his Notre Dame team is 3-5 on the season. They are very much in danger of missing out on a bowl game. All of that isn’t his fault but one would think a potential first overall pick would be playing better than this.
The rest of the prominent names in the class have major question marks as well.
Deshaun Watson (Clemson)
- Accuracy problems and higher turnover rate than 2015
Brad Kaaya (Miami)
- Struggles under pressure and not very mobile
Chad Kelly (Ole Miss)
- Persistent interception issues and questions of maturity
Mitch Trubisky (North Carolina)
- First-year starter who really falters in poor weather
Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech)
- Plays a back yard style in a gimmick offense
All of these names have the physical skill sets to play at the NFL level. The problem is they also lack the consistency. For every great game they’ve had so far, there are one or two clunkers as well. There is no shame in that. Even so pro teams expect the best from players if they want to be a top overall pick in the draft. Quarterbacks are measured under those same guidelines. Jared Goff put up big-time numbers. Jameis Winston won a national championship.
Scouts and coaches are still waiting for somebody to truly separate themselves from the pack. Somebody who elevates their game another level and finishes strong down the stretch. There is still time. Even so, as things stand there isn’t a quarterback in this 2017 NFL draft class who is proving he deserves to hear his name called first next April.