National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Quick Takes On The Top Quarterbacks

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:23 a.m. ET

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Oct 15, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer walks into the stadium before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Interest in the 2017 NFL draft class of quarterback is ramping up as certain teams around the league shift their focus to next year.

It’s become clear franchises like Cleveland, Chicago and San Francisco might be in the market for a franchise signal caller. A byproduct of that is all of their fans wanting to know the good (and bad) things they could potentially discover with the current crop of top prospects. So here is a review of the top five on most boards.

Deshone Kizer (Notre Dame)

Pro: For pure physical talent Kizer is unsurpassed in this class. He has ideal size at 6’4″, can rifle the ball 60 yards through the air off his back foot and can turn scrambles into long runs. He’s a true athlete. On top of that every indication is he’s quite intelligent. The game does not overwhelm him. He understands the complexities of it and can do the little things right. If the light truly switches on for him, he’ll be an elite quarterback from the word go in the NFL.

Con: Therein lay the problem. Kizer is trapped on a team that just isn’t very good right now. His weapons and protection were sapped by the NFL draft this past spring. In addition his own head coach Brian Kelly has poorly managed his development. That can do a lot to the confidence of a young player. Just ask Christian Hackenberg. Kizer also suffers from consistency issues. His accuracy can drop signficantly even he feels even slight pressure. These are things he must work on.

Oct 7, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against Boston College during the first quarter at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson (Clemson)

Pro: Coaches love winners and Deshaun Watson is definitely that. His only defeat since the 2015 season began was the national championship game against Alabama. A game he dominated individually. Watson just knows how to pull out victories. It’s a good trait to have. Not to mention being an excellent athlete who runs with speed and elusiveness. He also gets the ball out fast, has decent arm strength and throws well on the move. This makes him dangerous.

Con: At the same time there are some lingering concerns with Watson’s game. Chief among them is his spotty accuracy. He can often miss open receivers and struggles with persistent ball placement issues. This is a serious issue when throwing into tight coverages. On top of that he can get reckless with the ball at times, making curious decisions that result in bad turnovers. It’s a big reason why his stock has taken a mild dip over the past month.

Oct 20, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Kaaya (Miami Fl.)

Pro: Week after week it’s hard not to love the competitiveness of Brad Kaaya. He keeps taking a beating from defenses and keeps getting up for more. Nobody will ever question his toughness, and that is a major positive trait for quarterbacks. The size is there, as is the arm. When he’s in a clean pocket and allowed to survey, he can hit a receiver on the money at any level. The pro-style familiarity also has helped speed his readiness for the NFL.

Con: Though competitive, Kaaya does lack a certain alpha mentality. He’s not a fiery leader in the huddle and he doesn’t have that killer instinct based on the way he plays. Perhaps the conservative offense he plays in is part of that, but even so he hasn’t been overly productive of late. Worse still his mechanics really break down when under pressure. He struggles to protect the football and falls into frequent stretches where he just can’t get anything going.

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Mitch Trubisky (North Carolina)

Pro: A late riser in the draft picture. North Carolina isn’t typically a hot bed of quarterback talent but Mitch Trubisky is changing the game. He has the Tarheels playing really well. The junior checks most of the boxes from a physical standpoint: big, strong, mobile, quick delivery and shows good touch on his throws. He’s played gutty is some pretty big games against good teams, eking out wins with some quality late drives. Always a welcome sign for pro teams.

Con: Trubisky isn’t immune to making mistake, but it’s amazing how mortal he’s looked during inclement weather conditions. His accuracy and command of the offense both suffer. That may speak to questionable hand size and also the ability to wall off outside distractions. If he gets drafted by a team known for iffy weather conditions or with a raucous fan base, that could present problems. In addition he’s still relatively inexperienced as a starter.

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) pushes off of Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Josh Lidddell (28) during the second half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 34-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Kelly (Ole Miss)

Pro: It is an absolutely beautiful thing to watch Chad Kelly throw a football. When he’s allowed to set his feet and let it rip, the ball goes wherever he wants it to. Maybe the best arm in the entire draft. Kelly is the nephew of a Hall of Famer, so this is in his blood. He’s also a fiery competitor who can slice up defenses when hot. Tough enough to take the hits and a good athlete who can make things happen with his feet. Just made for a vertical offense.

Con: Kelly is a gunslinger. There is no getting around it. He plays and acts that way. Due to that strong arm he feels he can fit the ball into any window. Sometimes that’s true, but others it leads to crushing turnovers. Kelly also has concerns of attitude and maturity problems off the field. He almost got in a fight at his brothers’ high school game recently. It’s difficult to tell how much self-control he really has, and that makes teams nervous.