Scouting DeShone Kizer’s preseason debut with Browns

Scouting the preseason debut of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer, who made some big plays in his first NFL game…

This preaseason in the NFL, all eyes are on young quarterbacks around the league. One quarterback that is drawing plenty of attention is Cleveland Browns second round pick DeShone Kizer.

Kizer was picked as the top quarterback in this year’s draft by some evaluators, but his inconsistency at the collegiate level caused a bigger drop than even some of Kizer’s harsher critics would have expected.

The Browns cashed in on his fall, supplementing an already very solid draft class by getting their potential franchise quarterback in round two. How did he fare in his preseason debut?

Let’s take a look at all of his plays from Thursday night’s preseason opener:

Play 1: Shotgun formation, screen pass to halfback. Good timing on the throw, but did blocks have enough time to develop?

Play 2: Shotgun formation, pass deep right to outside receiver. The receiver drops the pass, but Kizer’s ball placement is very good. He gives the receiver a chance to come back to the ball and make a play over the defensive back, but can’t haul the pass in.

Play 3: Shotgun formation, pass short left to the wide receiver. Another very good ball placement by Kizer here gets the first down (3rd and 3) for the Browns. The ball was put on the receiver’s outside shoulder, allowing him — and only him — to make the catch.

Play 4: Shotgun formation, screen pass. Nothing wrong with this play, as it was on 3rd and 24, and the Browns were trying to eliminate the possibility of a turnover. I ironically, the receiver fumbled the ball.

Play 5: Under center, play-action. Kizer reads the coverage, and there is nothing there, so he intentionally throws the ball at the feet of the closest receiver.

Play 6: Shotgun formation, Kizer has good protection and misfires wide to a receiver who would have easily had a first down. This was a throw he would probably like to have back.

Play 7: Under center, Kizer makes one of his more impressive plays of the game. He takes a deep drop, recognizes pressure and shows great technique in climbing the pocket. He re-sets his feet and delivers a strike to the receiver for a first down.

Play 8: This is undeniably the highlight reel throw for Kizer. The situation is 3rd-and-15, and Kizer is in shotgun formation. He takes a deeper drop, slides to his left to avoid pressure, pump fakes, sets his feet, and throws a bomb downfield to the receiver who nearly scores a touchdown. This is a big time NFL throw.

Play 9: Shotgun formation, and goal-to-go situation for the Browns. The play is a designed screen/swing pass to a running back, but the Saints are ready for it and blow it up behind the line of scrimmage.

Play 10: Shotgun formation, 1st and 10. Kizer takes a quick drop and looks to his slot receiver (primary read) for a solid gain on first down. The ball is thrown slightly behind the receiver, who has to make a tough catch.

Play 11: Shotgun formation, Kizer has to move around to avoid pressure and does a good job of keeping a wide base, and keeping his eyes downfield. He ultimately scrambles to his right, and throws the ball away.

Play 12: Shotgun formation, 2nd and 10. The Saints blitz on this play, and Kizer does a good job of being patient, waiting for an underneath route to develop. He hits the receiver for a short gain.

Play 13: Shotgun formation, 3rd and 4. Kizer tries to fit the ball in a very tight window to his slot receiver, and throws a missile but it falls incomplete.

Play 14: Shotgun formation, 1st and 10. Kizer’s ball is intended for a running back in the flat, and the ball is batted at the line of scrimmage.

Play 15: Shotgun formation, 2nd and 10. The Saints blitz, and Kizer recognizes the gap in coverage to his blind side. He throws a perfect pass to the receiver who is able to gain yards after the catch for a first down.

Play 16: Shotgun formation, 2nd and 17. The Saints come with the blitz again, but it is picked up perfectly by the Browns and Kizer has enough time to find his receiver on a comeback route in one-on-one coverage. The receiver catches the pass and gains yards after the catch for a first down.

Play 17: Shotgun formation, 2nd and 24. Kizer sails a ball over the head of a tightly covered receiver for an incomplete pass.

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Play 18: Shotgun formation, 3rd and 24. Kizer has plenty of time, pump fakes, and finds an open receiver who gets just short of the line to gain, putting the Browns just short field goal range with under 2:00 to play.

Play 19: Shotgun formation, 4th and 2. With the game on the line, Kizer makes another incredible play. He takes all the time he needs, sets his feet, and delivers a ball with perfect touch to a receiver for a deep touchdown. The Saints brought a heavy blitz on this play, and Kizer recognized his receiver had one-on-one coverage with no safety help over the top.

Bottom Line: 11-of-18 passing, 184 yards, 1 TD.

Kizer showed great poise throughout this game, especially under pressure. He didn’t let the moment overcome him, and showed his skills climbing the pocket, avoiding pressure, and making big throws downfield.

This was a very nice debut for the Browns’ rookie, who looks like he will get a chance to start at some point this season.