NFL Predictions: When Will The Top 2017 Rookie QBs Start?

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Deshaun Watson (Clemson) is selected as the number 12 overall pick to the Houston Texans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Deshaun Watson (Clemson) is selected as the number 12 overall pick to the Houston Texans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
2 of 3
Apr 28, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs number 10 pick Patrick Mahomes II (left) and CEO Clark Hunt pose for a photo during the press conference at Stram Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs number 10 pick Patrick Mahomes II (left) and CEO Clark Hunt pose for a photo during the press conference at Stram Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)

It’s pretty wild that every single 1st round quarterback in the 2017 draft was traded up for. The Kansas City Chiefs jumped a wild distance in order to grab Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech. Going from 27th overall to 10th undoubtedly cost them a lot, including a future 1st round pick. Still the rumors were hot that Andy Reid likes the young gunslinger. No doubt he represents the caliber of arm talent the Chiefs haven’t had at the position for years. Reid himself hasn’t seen it since he worked with Brett Favre back in the 1990s.

Of course Reid also knows the herculean effort it took to develop Favre into the Hall of Famer he became. Similar headaches could lay ahead for Mahomes. It’s for that reason that the Chiefs may prefer to keep him in the pipeline for 2017. It’s not like he’s needed yet. Alex Smith got the team to the playoffs last season. He’s only 32 and by all accounts still an efficient game manager who can make the occasional play. The urgency to play the rookie won’t be high barring an unforeseen injury.

Predicted appearance:  Week 1 of 2018 season