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2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after first bowl weekend

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-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 /

DeShone Kizer. 9. player. 53. . QB. Notre Dame

There are some people who believe DeShone Kizer could be the first player taken in the 2017 NFL Draft, but I just don’t see that happening. While the Browns need a quarterback, I think they take their chances by drafting best player overall (Jonathan Allen) and then hoping that one of the three best QB prospects is available at No. 9.

Luckily for them, the way I see the top-10 pick playing out, it looks like at least one of them will be there. I can see a quarterback selected in the top-five, but I’d be shocked if there were two gone at this point in the draft.

Kizer might have the strongest arm in the draft class, but his decision making is what makes him a liability with a top-10 pick. Still, if the Browns don’t want to rely on Cody Kessler to be the quarterback of the future, they need to pull the trigger on a guy like Kizer in the first round.

After beating out Malik Zaire for the starting job, Kizer was fantastic for Notre Dame even though the Fighting Irish finished the season just 4-8. He possesses the ability to put perfect touch on passes, which could go a long way, and he is mobile enough to extend plays with his legs.

The Browns have had horrible luck at the position and were hoping Robert Griffin III would fix things, but he can’t seem to stay healthy.

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