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2017 NFL Draft Quarterback Power Ranking: Faces of the Franchise

By Russell Brown

Sep 10, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II warms up prior to the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II warms up prior to the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

So much promise exists within the tapes of DeShone Kizer. He’s a big-bodied quarterback at 6’4 and 233 pounds. He’s never been one to light up the stat sheet, but over the last two years, he’s been consistent. Whether you call it good or bad, I’ll leave that up to you. In 2015, Kizer completed 63% of his passes for 2,880 yards, 21 touchdowns, and ten interceptions.

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He then took a step back with his decision making in 2016 and forced a lot of throws. He finished this year with 2,925 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions but only completed 58.7% of his passes.

Not being an elite athlete will be held against Kizer but he’s a serviceable quarterback when out of the pocket. He’s rushed for 18 touchdowns over the last two seasons and has racked up almost 1,000 rushing yards. When watching him, the first thing that stands out is his ability to throw the ball deep. Arm strength isn’t the question, but ball placement and overall accuracy are. He doesn’t struggle with the intermediate throws unless he rushes through his progression.

The most common cliche for any draft prospect is “finding the right system.” While that may be true for everyone and it’s a cliche I stay away from, I will use it here. If DeShone Kizer can find the right system with a coaching staff that cares, he’ll be the best quarterback in this class. He’s got the highest ceiling of anyone in this class, but the question is, will he ever get better? He’s had his opportunities to improve, and he just hasn’t. He’ll draw comparisons to another big bodied quarterback like Josh Freeman, and he’ll also find himself in the first round.

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