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2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after Week 14

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs for a large gain after a reception during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs for a large gain after a reception during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

QB. Notre Dame. DeShone Kizer. 2. player. 42.

After Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, it has never been more evident that the San Francisco 49ers need to draft a quarterback. This year’s draft class doesn’t have that sure instant starter like last year did with Carson Wentz and even Jared Goff — although the latter didn’t start until last week — DeShone Kizer has a high ceiling.

The junior quarterback was fighting for a starting job with Malik Zaire this offseason, if you can believe that, but the Notre Dame dual-threat won it and had a solid season, personal statistics-wise.

Notre Dame’s season, as a whole, was forgettable, though. The Fighting Irish missed out on a bowl bid and Kizer’s completion rate decreased from last year. Who would have thought that an injury to Zaire in 2015 would lead to the emergence of the No. 1 quarterback chosen in 2017?

If Chip Kelly is still in San Francisco next season, he would love to have a guy like Kizer who can use his athleticism in a more effective way than Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert. He also has a much stronger arm than both of those quarterbacks and a much higher ceiling.

San Francisco is going nowhere without a quarterback and that needs to be addressed immediately in the draft.

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