2017 is Not The Year to Draft A Quarterback

This year, we have our usual suspects in terms of Quarterback needy teams. Sigh, Cleveland how long is that jersey going to get? The fruit this draft class has yield however, seems to be pretty sour. Honestly this Quarterback class might be about as weak as Spongebob Squarepants, and Spongebob is pretty weak:

Of all of the film that I've had a chance to see, I can only say that I have a definitive day 1 grade on 2 Quarterbacks this year. A lot of these guys will be projects in the NFL. Teams however, will reach in the draft and go with need over talent. That would be a horrible decision to make in this years draft though considering the plethora of defensive talent that will be available in the first round. I'll only be talking about a handful of Quarterbacks who have the highest chance to go in the first few rounds, but those are a seldom few.

Deshone Kizer (Notre Dame): 6'4, 229 lbs Junior, Projection: Round 1

Deshone Kizer is essentially the combine warrior of this draft class. He has all the measurables that are craved from a franchise Quarterback to go with a cannon of an arm. He took over as the starter for the Fighting Irish last year and has put up respectable numbers since. He honestly could use another year of experience as he was a redshirt freshman serving as Notre Dames 3rd string Quarterback his freshman year. Kizer has some accuracy issues but has shown impressive poise and presence in the pocket. He can hang in the pocket under pressure and make throws/take hits with his large frame. Kizer can and will pick up first downs with his feet when his reads aren't available and has the athleticism to do this successfully in college/the pros.The accuracy issues must improve, but the raw talent and potential alone warrants first round status. If he can really put everything together and figure it out, his ceiling is Cam Newton. Kizer has a short memory and can step up when he needs to, as he made inaccurate throws and poor decisions against Stanford, but was also able to drive his team down the field against in an attempt to mount a comeback. The intangibles are there just needs a little more experience to put it all together.

Mitch Trubisky (North Carolina): 6'3 220 lbs Junior, Projection: Round 1

Mitch Trubisky has come on this season to be the Quarterback whose stock has risen the most. Taking over as the full time starter this year for the Tarheels, he has the size and arm that make the prototypical NFL Quarterback. Trubisky has shown excellent poise in the pocket and against pressure, as well as the arm talent to fit throws in tight windows. He has sneaky athleticism, and can move well laterally in the pocket. He at times though can force throws into traffic and downfield (especially against Miami), and although it didn't hurt him this year (4 interceptions) he needs to be more conservative with the ball. I do like that he isn't scared to take shots down the field, but they need to be more calculated at the next level. He's clearly shown that he can step up in big moments, including a signature moment against Pitt leading his team from behind to win. He is basically in the same situation as 2009 Mark Sanchez. He has strung together a nice season after becoming the starter, but with so little experience and playing time he could really gain from staying another year to develop. However with his stock the highest it may ever be, expect Trubisky to declare and be drafted in the first round by a Quarterback needy team.

Brad Kaaya (Miami): 6'4 216 lbs Junior, Projection: Round 2

The Quarterback who is probably the most "pro" ready, due to the offensive scheme Miami employs. Kaaya is more of a traditional "pocket passer". Kaaya has a a big arm but can struggle with accuracy at times. His inconsistency really shows under pressure, as he can get antsy in the pocket and doesn't set his feet or will throw off his back leg. Honestly his pocket tendencies scare me a bit as they remind me of Blaine Gabbert at Missouri, but I don't think Kaaya is to that degree. I have concerns regarding his production in 2015 with weapons like Duke Johnson and Phillip Dorsett on the roster, but Kaaya put up similar numbers without them this year so clearly it's not a pressing matter. Kaaya's problems are really tied to being pressured in the pocket. Against Florida Atlantic, they got in his face all game long and he struggled to complete passes ending up with 2 picks to 0 touchdowns and a 54% completion percentage. He must become more adept at stepping up in the pocket as well as hanging in and taking hits to complete throws. Kaaya needs to settle his feet down to make throws under duress or else he will have a hard time adjusting to the NFL. I don't personally grade Kaaya as a day 1 Quarterback, but for a Quarterback needy team the need could outweigh the value with how weak this Quarterback class is.

Deshaun Watson (Clemson): 6'3 215 lbs Junior, Projection Rounds 2-3

Last year, Deshaun Watson really looked like he could be a franchise Quarterback with the way he played. 2016 has told a different story however. Watson was looked at as the best dual threat Quarterback in college football coming into this year, but with the emergence of Lamar Jackson and just more tape of Watson, he really looks like a B tier athlete in comparison. Watson too often will leave the pocket and run when throws don't materialize and it has worked successfully, however he has the talent to extend plays (a la Russell Wilson type stuff) and shouldn't make a habit of relying on his legs. Watson has looked more erratic and inconsistent in the pocket this year, especially in the games against Florida State and Pitt. He has often looked fidgety in the pocket, and once he gets to the pros it's unclear whether his habit of leaving the pocket often to run can hold up as the speed of NFL defenses are on another level. He has 14 interceptions on the season and has shown questionable decision making with the football. He will need to sit behind a veteran in the NFL to develop more as a passer in the pocket to be successful. A team will may reach for Watson in the first to be their franchise Quarterback, but with the defensive talent in the first round he could take a nose dive come draft day.

Chad Kelly (Ole Miss): 6'2 224 lbs Senior, Projection: Rounds 4-7

It seems that Chad Kelly is much better known for his off the field antics than his play on the field, whether it be getting roasted by an adult actress on twitter or trying to start fights at high school football games. Kelly was already dismissed from Clemson for disciplinary issues, so he certainly didn't do his stock any favors this year. A season ending torn ACL also attributed to his fall in draft stock. Kelly has all the right tools to be a round 1 talent, whether it be the rocke arm or mobility in and out of the pocket. Kelly's play however didn't do much to back round 1 consideration. Kelly's play style is best described as a gunslinger. He takes tons of risks and will force throws when they're not there in heavy traffic. He is extremely aggressive in trying to throw downfield and needs to take better care of the football. Kelly can also play like a surgeon at times though, as he tore through Florida State's defense with precision, accuracy, and poise from the pocket. He can also at times play like Ryan Fitzpatrick and make pretty questionable decisions like he did in the LSU game this year. Kelly has flashed great potential, but his injury and off the field shenanigans will scare teams from taking him high. Chad Kelly could end up being 2017's Dak Prescott, but he could also be 2017's biggest football meme. Like his decision making, drafting Kelly will be a gamble.

2017 is a bad year to need a Quarterback. There is a ton of defensive talent in the first round. Enough to pass on a Quarterback if you need one, and draft a defensive cornerstone for your franchise. A lot of needy teams will reach though, (Cleveland..you know Myles Garrett will be available at 1...) but there just isn't really a "franchise" Quarterback in this draft or a sure fire thing worthy of being the number 1 selection. Drafting a Quarterback in 2017 would more than likely become a project as none of these guys are ready to be thrown in the fire on day one. And if you're the fan of a team with a high pick in this years draft, you better hope your team doesn't take one this year because you'll miss out on defensive talent AND there'll be better passers net year.