The 2017 NFL Draft was quite the ride for the top quarterbacks that were selected. Where are these players now and how are they doing in the league? In what was, looking back on it now, a pretty solid quarterback draft, a few of the top players selected have had quite the careers thus far.
It’s always and interesting activity to look back on drafts and see where players were drafted. Some All Pro caliber players were found in the later rounds, while some who fizzled out of the NFL were solid, first round draft picks.
As it pertains to the quarterbacks in 2017, where are they now?
2017 NFL Draft – Quarterback Edition
Mitchell Trubisky, 2nd overall pick
Mitchell Trubisky was the second overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. He had spent one year as a starter for North Carolina, and many thought that he simply didn’t have enough starting experience in college to warrant his high selection.
His peak came in 2018, when he threw 24 touchdowns against 12 interceptions as the Chicago Bears went 12-4 on the back of a monster defense. He’s now a Pittsburgh Steeler and looks to be in danger of losing his job.
Patrick Mahomes, 10th overall
The Kansas City Chiefs made a huge jump to the 10th overall selection to take Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes was like many of the prospects we see now at the position– insane talent but often considered “raw.” Mahomes essentially redshirted his first year, starting one game and winning it.
Then, in 2018, a legend was born. Patrick Mahomes raced to the MVP award, an AFC Championship game appearance, and by the end of 2019, he had a massive contract extension and a Super Bowl title.
Deshaun Watson, 12th overall
I’d argue that Watson is a more talented player than Patrick Mahomes. Watson and Mahomes are what the NFL has been barreling towards at the position; quarterbacks who are truly dual-threat with their arms and legs.
Watson spent the first four seasons of his career with the Houston Texans, and developed himself into one of the 10 best signal callers in the NFL. He did not play in 2021 due to many well documented issues, and was traded to the Cleveland Browns this offseason before being given a mega contract extension with a fully guaranteed number.
After Watson finishes his 11 game suspension, he’ll soon return to his once elite form.
DeShone Kizer, Davis Webb, CJ Beathard, Joshua Dobbs, Nathan Peterman, Brad Kaaya, Chad Kelly
After the three first rounders were selected, no quarterback was selected until the 52nd overall pick with DeShone Kizer. All of these players are either not in the league or stuffed way down the depth charts of various teams. Some have been able to get some legitimate playing time, but many of these players fell into the irrelevant sector of NFL quarterbacks. CJ Beathard is the only one who has a positive TD:INT ratio, for what it’s worth.