Rookie Quarterback Report: Week One
A look back at how the top quarterbacks from the 2017 draft performed in week one of the pre-season with this Rookie Quarterback Report.
Last years quarterbacks class was considered talented but with questions. Each of the top quarterbacks displayed an elite talent at one some aspect of their game. However, most of them weren’t able to translate that talent to a good college win/loss record.
Week one of the preseason may have given us a little bit better look at how good the 2017 quarterback class actually was. Here is a quick breakdown of how it went:
Deshawn Watson won the National Championship last season but didn’t show the deep ball accuracy that NFL talent evaluators like to see. Watson, however, was dubbed a winner by many scouts and analyst so the Houston Texans choosing him at twelve wasn’t a stretch. Through training camp, he has impressed.
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Many analysts have noted that while Watson has not unseated Tom Savage as QB1, it is just a matter of time. He has quickly picked up the complex Texans offense and done a good job of commanding the huddle. In his week one preseason appearance, Watson showed that athletic ability that made him famous in college. He did a good job at extending plays with his legs.
Watson also showed excellent short yardage accuracy and a great internal clock as time wound down. He still needs to work on deep ball accuracy but look as though he will be a competent starter in the NFL.
In his week one preseason appearance, Watson showed that athletic ability that made him famous in college. Deshawn did a good job at extending plays with his legs. He also showed excellent short yardage accuracy and a great internal clock as time wound down.
Pat Mahomes again wowed us with his arm. He showed good accuracy and pocket presence in game one of the pre-season. Mahomes may have hit gold being drafted by Andy Reid and the Cheif’s. Reid has a history of making strong armed quarterbacks into superstars. Mahomes will need to work on a couple things as he matures as an NFL player.
Internal clock and mechanics being crucial on that list. His feet still need a little work but have really improved since last college season. Mahomes will have the privilege of sitting behind veteran Alex Smith this upcoming season. With a little more seasoning he could be really special. The question will remain all season, when will we see Mahomes start? As a Mahomes truther I home sooner than later, however, I don’t see Coach Reid getting into any hurry with him.
Trubisky might have been the most polished of the quarterbacks. He showed skills you thought you would see from him as a pro. He has good accuracy at all levels of the field. Mitchell also showed he could take a snap under center, something he has had a hard time with early in training camp. He failed to lead the Bears on a game winning drive at the end but does deserve the credit for getting them to that point.
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The Bears were hoping to wait on starting Mitchell but with a coach on the hot seat and a fan base desperate for a long-term answer at quarterback, Mitch might get the call for game one of the regular season.
The most surprising of the top signal callers may have been Deshone Kizer. Kizer had an up and down season for the Irish last year. At one point Coach, Brian Kelly benched Kizer. NFL scouts and analyst agreed that Kizer has all the physical tools to be a starter in the NFL but some questioned his mental toughness.
Throughout Brown’s training camp Kizer has been a dream for the coaches in Cleveland. Being the first one to practice every day and the last one to leave at night. Kizer has displayed great leadership skills and challenged his fellow players to be better and work harder. In the Thursday night game against the Saints that hard work was on display.
Kizer showed good mechanics, good pocket presence, command of the huddle and the arm strength that the Browns have been hungry for. He was able to come in and lead the Browns to Victory on two brilliant throws with time running out. Kizer still needs to show constancy and confidence but right now, his arrow is pointing up!
Time will tell if this quarterback class will be great or not. However, if this group keeps working and trending up, they could go down as a great one!