2017 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting What Could Happen in the First Round
6. Jets: DeShone Kizer, Quarterback
Top Needs: QB, TE, OLB, CB
The New York Jets are an average quarterback away from having a legitimately quality offense. The Jets’ quarterbacks combined for the second-worst Passing NEP per drop back in 2016, but the talent around them was very good. Notre Dame signal-caller DeShone Kizer can be their guy at sixth overall.
With prototypical size and plus athleticism, Kizer works out of a shotgun spread, so he’ll be comfortable fitting with New York’s system. Kizer has arm strength in bundles, with the ability to drive passes into the deep seams and challenge deep safeties. He’s got excellent footwork and touch, but needs to work with anticipation and move off his first read at times.
Kizer’s 147.7 Passer Rating over the last two years was 16th-best among 55 quarterbacks to attempt at least 500 passes, and his 6.76 percent touchdown rate was 11th among the same players. He completed 60.7 percent of his throws in two years as a starter, with 5,805 passing yards, 47 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions in that span.
