QUARTERBACKS are religiously known as the most important in football. So it’s fair to say that if your team doesn’t have a very good one your level of success is capped. There are a handful of talented signal callers, that teams will be tempted by, with some of them taken as early as the first round.

FAVOURITES

Deshaun Watson, Clemson

WATSON’S Championship Game performance did wonders for his draft stock. He has been critized this season for his throws downfield, missing potential touchdown opportunities. Watson did however show off his impressive dual-threat capabilities and his knack for stepping up on the big stage. With a dire need at QB league wide, Watson shapes as the ‘sexy’ pick and could easily tempt someone into using their 1st rounder on him.

Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina

MANY scouts and GM’s believe that Trubisky has the best ‘star potential’ of all the quarterbacks in the draft. After sitting as a backup for the first two years of his collegiate career he earned the full time starting job this season, he showed plenty of promise in the Tar Heels up-tempo offense. Trubisky displayed a sound skill-set with good accuracy, footwor, pocket mobility and seems to have all the pieces of the puzzle. The biggest question is can he put them all together?

DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame

NO one may be climbing draft boards faster than Notre Dame’s two year signal caller DeShone Kizer. His elite arm allows him to execute any throw and he showcased it throwing for nearly 3000 yards this year, with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Throwing for at least two TD’s in all but two of his games, he has all the physical and football tools to potentially be a great starting quarterback in the league. Kizer did decline in production as the season went on and will take some time to develop and understand the NFL game. His elite arm accuracy puts him in good stead already though.

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Longshot: Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech

TEXAS Tech went 5-7 last year in what was a largely underwhelming season. They did however unearth a potential NFL quarterback on their team with Patrick Mahomes II benefitting greatly from their high octane, fast passed game style. He threw for an incredible 5052 yards and 40 touchdowns, flashing the ability to score with his feet too (22 rushing touchdowns in three seasons). Mahomes cracked the 500 yard passing mark in four games last year and showed flashes of his pocket passing ability and elite accuracy. He would benefit greatly from spending a year or two learning from the bench and taking over the reigns from an ageing QB once the time is right.

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