2017 NFL Draft: Updated Pro Comparisons For Top Quarterbacks

Some time has passed. Enough to get a better grip on the quarterbacks who make up the 2017 NFL draft class this coming April.

Having done that, it’s time to ask the question again. Who are the pro comparisons for the top names on the board? Suffice to say there have definitely been some changes since the last edition, to say nothing of more names being added to the list. Get ready for a few surprises and maybe a couple disappointments along the way.

Mitch Trubisky (North Carolina):  Rich Gannon

Decent size, good arm, mobile, smart and comes from an unproven program in terms of producing quarterbacks. Those were all tags placed on Rich Gannon coming out of Delaware. Not to mention he came from an archaic Wing-T offense. That’s why he flew under the radar and it took him awhile to find the right fit in the NFL. Eventually though he emerged as a four-time Pro Bowler and MVP. Trubisky has all the same tools and will require the same patience. The payoff could be worth it though.

Deshaun Watson (Clemson):  Donovan McNabb

The Eagles caught a lot of flak when they took Donovan McNabb early in 1999. It was felt he was undersized and not well-versed in a pro-style offense. This despite clear indications of an athletic competitor who knew how to win football games. These are the exact same issues being raised with Deshaun Watson. He’s got the same skill set as the former six-time Pro Bowler and perhaps even greater intangibles. The same arm? Maybe not quite, but close enough.

Deshone Kizer (Notre Dame):  Josh Freeman

A big quarterback with a powerful right arm, sneaky mobility and rather quiet demeanor that masks whether or not he can be a leader. That was Josh Freeman in a nutshell. Such a gifted physical talent who flashed briefly in the NFL but just couldn’t get over his rampant consistency issues. Deshone Kizer was benched at one point during his final year at Notre Dame. He’s facing the same problems. He can throw the ball well, but can he be a great quarterback?

Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech):  Ben Roethlisberger

Back in his early days, there was no more creative or improvisational quarterback in the NFL than Ben Roethlisberger. He was a master at keeping plays alive and getting big gains out of them. A sort of backyard style. That is where Patrick Mahomes thrives as well. He’s not quite as large, but he’s got the same strength, mobility, toughness and absolute cannon for an arm. Just when it looks like the play is over, he pulls a rabbit out of his hat to keep the drive going.