Texans select Deshone Kizer

 

 DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame 

Height: 6-4. Weight: 230. 

 Projected 40 Time: 4.73. 

Projected Round (2017): 1-2. 
<i> 2/23/17: </i>In this analyst's opinion, Kizer is the top quarterback prospect for the 2017 NFL Draft. He has a better physical skill set than any of Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and Pat Mahomes. Some league sources have told me they think Kizer is a high first-round talent, while many others are not enthusiastic about Kizer. One playoff general manager told me Kizer has the tools to be the prototypical quarterback prospect but never seemed to put everything together and win. Thus, they graded Kizer on Day 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft. Another general manager felt Kizer was worthy of a late first-round pick. Aside from not winning, sources knock Kizer for his decision-making and lack of consistency. 

Kizer is capable of making beautiful touch passes with superb accuracy and ball placement while being under fire from the pass rush. His field vision can be very good as he moves his eyes through his progressions, even with defenders bearing down on him. Additionally, Kizer has the arm strength to make all the throws and beat good coverage. He consistently shows the ability to drop in accurate touch passes downfield and the mobility to make plays with his feet. Kizer can be an excellent pocket passer. 

Kizer had a number of rough games in 2016, including getting benched against Stanford and facing off against N.C. State in the midst of Hurricane Matthew. He started the 2016 season with a tremendous game against Texas and gave evidence to NFL teams that he could be a future starting quarterback. Kizer lofted in some beautiful passes between defenders against the Longhorns. Kizer also showed excellent decision-making while maintaing poise under the pass rush of Texas. He protected the football and made extraordinary passes into small openings. 

In 2016, Kizer completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,925 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for seven touchdowns. That completion percentage was hurt by the hurricane game against N.C. State and his young wideouts dropping a plethora of well-thrown passes. 2015 was a better year for Kizer as he completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,884 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 520 yards with 10 scores on the ground. Kizer had a much better supporting cast that season, including a first-round left tackle, Ronnie Stanley; first-round wide receiver, Will Fuller; second-round center, Nick Martin; and third-round running back, C.J. Prosise.

 

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