2017 NFL Draft quarterback class is looking more special each day

It’s rather astounding. The 2017 NFL draft quarterback class came with so much talent, but also a ton of questions from the mainstream media.

Think about it. The 2015 class was dominated by the twin towers of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. A year later in 2016, it was Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. People became convinced there was no way the next group could possibly maintain that sort of momentum. Too many question marks.

One guy only started 13 games at a predominantly basketball school. Another was a backyard-style gunslinger with almost zero pro polish. Last but not least was the young man who was a winner in college but just didn’t have the arm to survive in the NFL.

Here’s the thing. If this were 20 years ago, those people might’ve been right. This era of pro football is different. The rules cater to quarterbacks more than ever before, giving them the best possible chance to find success provided the teams they land on make the necessary investments to do so.

It’s not every day that three franchises fulfilled those requirements. Suddenly the 2017 crop not only looks good. It’s beginning to have that special sort of feel.

Patrick Mahomes (9-1, Kansas City Chiefs)

67.0 completion %
3,150 yards
31 touchdowns
7 interceptions
117.4 passer rating

Not much can be said. Mahomes started just one game as a rookie, so people weren’t sure what to expect coming into this year. Everyone knew he was talented, but for him to be dominant right out of the gate? That’s kudos both to his exceptional skill and the job done by head coach Andy Reid and that talented Chiefs offense. Mahomes is set up for excellence in that system for the next 15 years if he stays healthy.

Deshaun Watson (6-3, Houston Texans)

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64.9 completion %
2389 yards
17 touchdowns
7 interceptions
100.8 passer rating

The consummate leader. Tough as nails and always fights to the end. Watson has made winning contagious for the Texans. After a 0-3 start, they’ve won six-straight and he’s leading the way with some big plays each and every week. One worries about whether his body will hold up given the punishment he’s been taking, but the guy just continues to make plays. He knows where to go with the football and he has his team believing.

Mitch Trubisky (6-3, Chicago Bears)

65.5 completion %
2304 yards
19 touchdowns
7 interceptions
101.6 passer rating

The forgotten name of the group, which is ironic considering he was drafted higher than Watson or Mahomes. The difference with Trubisky is he came in with the most to prove. Not only did he start just 13 games in college, but he was also taking over a franchise in Chicago notorious for bad quarterback play. He’s had to hear it from critics for over a year. After dismantling the Lions on Sunday, those same people have grown awfully quiet.

It’s still going to take some time to get a full idea of how good this class is and will be. None of them have participated in a playoff game yet. Given the way things have gone this season, all three of them might change that in short order over the next couple of months. If thing progress as they have along the current timeline, don’t be surprised if people look back and call the 2017 class as one of the best in NFL history.

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