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2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after CFP Semifinals

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 31, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs the ball for a touchdown against Ohio State during the third quarter during the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs the ball for a touchdown against Ohio State during the third quarter during the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) runs in the third quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) runs in the third quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 32. . QB. Notre Dame. DeShone Kizer. 13

There has been chatter around the Arizona Cardinals organization that Carson Palmer might not be around too much longer as the starting quarterback. He had a down year for the Cardinals in a season which people believed Arizona had the talent to make a deep playoff run.

Arizona missed the playoffs, however, and are fringing on a top-10 pick. It’s hard to believe a team with Patrick Peterson, Palmer, Tyrann Mathieu, Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson missed out on the postseason, but injuries and inconsistent play from the quarterback position did it in.

DeShone Kizer would likely be available with the Cardinals’ first-round selection and getting him as a future replacement for Palmer wouldn’t be the worst idea. While Drew Stanton has been a capable backup to Palmer for the last few years, it’s clear that he’s just going to remain a second-stringer.

Scouts have knocked Kizer’s decision making which could drop him to the second round, but I think his size, mobility and feathery touch on passes make him a first-round talent. He won’t start right away wherever he goes, which makes his selection by the Cardinals make that much more sense.

Draft him, let him learn behind Palmer for a year or two and then see what he can do after that.

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