The NFL draft is set for April 27th to April 29th in Philadelphia. Leading up to the big event, we’ll take a look at the draft prospects by positions group. Let’s start with Quarterback.
North QB Needs
All four NFC North teams claim they have starting QBs. Rodgers and Stafford are clearly set for the Packers and Lions as very good QBs. Sam Bradford has one more year left with Minnesota in 2017 after the 2016 trade. Bradford was solid in 2017 despite a lack of protection and run game. Chicago just added Mike Glennon (former Buccaneers back-up) to a big deal this offseason. The Bears could use starting competition for Glennon but they may think they are set at starting QB and be willing to give Glennon another starting chance.
The Vikings need a backup if Teddy Bridgewater isn’t healthy and could think about the future since both Bradford and Bridgewater only have a year left on their deals. The Lions have second year QB Jake Rudock as the backup but could upgrade over the 6th round pick from 2016. Green Bay should be set with Rodgers and Hundley but could take a late round QB to develop.
First Round QBs
Mitch Trubisky is the top signal caller in the draft. He only has one year of starting for North Carolina but has a big arm, is very athletic and is a solid decision maker. He should be selected in the first round and most likely top 10. Trubisky threw for 30 TDs and 6 interceptions with 68.5% completion for the Tarheels.
DeShaun Watson is a big play QB that led Clemson to a National Championship after losing in the Champ game the prior season. He is very athletic with a nice arm. All Watson did was lead the Tigers to wins and should be a top 10 pick because of that couple with athleticism. Watson notched 35 TDs and 13 interceptions in 2015 and 41 TDs and 17 interceptions in 2016. DeShaun is a playmaker; but did throw some interceptions that need to be fixed.
Deshone Kizer is from Notre Dame and will be a borderline first round pick. If the Bears don’t want to use the 3rd pick on a QB, Kizer may be available at pick 36 for Chicago. Kizer had 21 TDs and 10 interceptions in 2015 and 26 TDs and 9 interceptions in 2016 for the Fighting Irish.
Second TIER
The next group of QBs could be day 2 picks or early day 3 picks. The second TIER is pretty lackluster compared to most other years.
Patrick Mahomes ran a funky system at Texas Tech. Usually, Texas Tech QBs don’t pan out in the NFL but Mahomes is more highly touted than most former Red Raiders. Mahomes is getting a lot of visits with NFL teams. He may be a second round pick.
Davis Webb(California). Webb transferred from Texas Tech to Cal and broke some records set by first overall pick in 2016 Jared Goff. Webb has a big arm and can lead an offense.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2061379/davis-webb
Nathan Peterman (Pittsburgh) has NFL arm strength with production but must work on his accuracy and decision making.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1984209/nathan-peterman
Late Round QBS
Jerod Evans (VA Tech), Brad Kaaya (Miami), Chad Kelly (Ole Miss and Jim Kelly’s son) and Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee) could be late round selections with some upside.
Team Fits
I could see the Vikings or Lions taking a late round QB like Dobbs, Evans or Kaaya. The Bears may take Kizer in Round 2 if available but I don’t think they will use the 3rd pick overall on a QB (Trubisky or Watson).