DeShone Kizer embodies just about everything that is the quarterback draft class of 2016.
His sturdy 6-foot-4, 233-pound frame (with hands that measure 9-7/8 inches) show that he has the measurements of a prototypical quarterback. He is familiar with and well-equipped for the spotlight, having played at Notre Dame. And his numbers with the Fighting Irish (while unspectacular) were mostly solid.
But there were definitely times when Kizer appeared to be unready – finishing his season with a disappointing 4-8 record chief among them.
In addition, both his completion percentage (from 62.9 percent to 58.7 percent) and average yards per attempt (from 8.6 yards to 8.1 yards) took a tumble from his sophomore to junior seasons. In other words, he may have the look and make-up of a top quarterback, but the talent just isn’t enough to justify being selected with one of the top most picks – just like all of the 2016 NFL Draft QBs.
Analyst Mike Mayock sees Kizer shares that sentiment.
Although he considers Kizer to be the best quarterback prospects in his class, Mayock would also be “scared to death” of using a top-10 pick to draft any quarterback this time around. That says a lot considering quarterback is undoubtedly the most important position in the game.
The Bears’ offseason action has made them unlikely to use the third overall pick on a quarterback in April. However, it doesn’t mean that the team won’t use the draft to add to its mix at the position. In fact, Bucky Brooks envisions a scenario where the Bears choose Kizer, albeit in the third round with the 67th pick.
Despite the notable additions of Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez, the Bears would be wise to invest in a possible long-term answer, especially one who may need some time to develop. However, Brooks provides a sunnier outlook (well, for Kizer) wherein the quarterback ultimately lands in the back-end of the first round as a potential heir apparent to the Pittsbrugh Steelers’ QB, Ben Roethlisberger – who was hesitant to commit to returning for the 2017 season.
Kizer’s pro day came with mixed reviews according to NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt, but the overall feeling is that his arrow was pointing up after his most recent workouts. Brandt believes Kizer will be picked by a team at the end of the first round. Meanwhile, Chris Emma of CBS Chicago writes that scouts believe in his talent and upside after his pro day efforts. Apparently, Kizer said all the right things with regard to Notre Dame’s disappointing season and adapting to quarterbacking in the NFL.
If you squint, the talent and upside is obviously there. The issue is that struggles, well, they’re just a bit easier to see.
The bust factor might be too high to consider using a first-round pick on Kizer, but depending on how the Bears’ strategy pans out, he could be a fit in a later round. However, considering how many needs the Bears still have after free agency, perhaps a fourth quarterback (indeed, one on which the team doesn’t seem to be completely sold) isn’t the best use of a pick … like, at all.