NFL Draft 2017: Top 5 quarterbacks and running backs
Selecting the right quarterback
There are a handful of quarterbacks available in this year’s draft who are worthy of first and second round selections. While it isn’t likely that they will all be drafted in the first two rounds, a strong case can be made for each.
Once again, predicting which teams are in great need of a quarterback, and then matching the right player to the correct team has been challenging. The waters are muddy in that regard.
No. 5: Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh
Peterman redshirted his first year at Tennessee. After being benched the second year, he transferred to Pittsburgh, which runs a pro-style offense.
His transition to the NFL should be fairly smooth, considering his size at 226 lbs, and experience playing in a pro system.
In his junior year at Pitt, he passed for 2,287 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 2016, he surpassed his passing yardage, throwing for 2,855 yards and 27 touchdowns.
No. 4: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Kizer is a dual-threat quarterback. In his three years as the signal caller for the Irish, he rushed for 1,029 yards and scored 17 times. On passing downs, Kizer threw for 5,589 yards and 45 touchdowns.
While previous Notre Dame quarterbacks haven’t had a great deal of success in the NFL, Kizer seems to be the real deal, and could make an NFL team very pleased with his passing game and athletic talent.
No. 3: Patrick Mahomes, II, QB, Texas Tech
In his three years leading the Red Raiders, Patrick Mahomes amassed 11,252 yards passing, and 93 touchdowns. Mahomes received Big 12 accolades in each of the three seasons he started at quarterback.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Mahomes’ passes were clocked at 60 miles per hour, which matched Logan Thomas and Bryan Bennet for fastest passes, ever.
No. 2: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been flying up mock draft boards. Many prognosticators have the former Carolina quarterback slotted to be drafted with the No. 1 overall pick, or at No. 12, both picks held by the Cleveland Browns.
More from Truman's Tales
- Believe it or not, Missouri football has never played these FBS teams
- Missouri Tigers all-time round-by-round NCAA tournament record
- March Madness schedule: When do the Missouri Tigers play next? (Updated Round of 64)
- The Missouri Tigers Kansas Jayhawks Border War Renews
- Marching Mizzou Marches into the Big Apple
The quarterback from northeast Ohio, Trubisky has expressed interest in playing for Cleveland, telling USA Today’s MMQB, “I root for Cleveland everything. I love where I’m from. No matter what, everyone still believes in the Browns, and that’s so cool. It’s different being from there. Nobody knows why we love Cleveland so much, unless you’re from there.”
Trubisky, who played second string to Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams during his freshman and sophomore years, started all 13 games his junior season. Trubisky passed for 3,748 yards and 30 touchdowns.
No. 1: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Former Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson is arguably the best quarterback in this draft class. The third-year NFL prospect is another dual-threat quarterback in the mold of current NFL and Carolina Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton.
Watson, who is fresh off of a national championship, experienced a great deal of success at Clemson. As a freshman, Watson passed for 1,466 yards, 14 touchdowns, and led the Tigers to a bowl game.
In his sophomore and junior seasons, he amassed 8,702 yards passing, and 76 touchdowns.
Watson is the recipient of many accolades, including ACC Player of the Year, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and led the Tigers to two ACC championships, multiple bowl games, and consecutive appearances in the National Championship.
The question isn’t if Watson is selected in the first round, but when and by whom?