Bad year for Arizona Cardinals to draft quarterback

With the lack of NFL-ready quarterbacks in the 2017 draft the Arizona Cardinals may wind up reaching terribly with their pick

The fact that the Arizona Cardinals need to acquire their future quarterback is common knowledge. Amid reports that 2017 will be Carson Palmer’s final NFL season, the pressure to get that done intensifies. But April’s draft may not provide the answer to their dilemma.

It’s just not an impressive list of signal-callers this time around. That’s a shame, because the Cards have their highest pick in the first round in four years (13th overall). But even if they were able to move up from that spot, the chances of finding someone of quality is slim.

North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky appears to be the best fit for Arizona. But the NFL Network’s Mike Mayock has indicated the youngster will measure shorter than what he’s listed at (6’3″). He could be as short as 6’1″ according to Mayock, so, if that’s true, he could fall in the draft.

Notre Dame’s Deshone Kizer has the size (6’4,230) that a Bruce Arians offense prefers. But his team was a miserable 4-8 in 2016. Obviously Kizer can’t take all the blame for that record, but it’s a red flag nevertheless.

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Deshaun Watson of Clemson has accuracy problems and ran a very unprofessional-like “spread” offense in college. And we Cardinals’ fans know how Arians feels about that type of offense (he criticized Chip Kelly’s use of it back in 2013). Some draft experts now have Watson dropping as low as the fourth round.

Pat Mahomes appears to possess some NFL-caliber tools. But he’s a product of Texas Tech’s “gimmick” offense. He has very little experience throwing from the pocket, so he’s a quarterback Arizona should certainly avoid bringing aboard.

The University of Miami’s Brad Kaaya has been criticized for a lack of leadership and a questionable arm. He also has trouble handling a pass rush and has a slight build (6’4″,209). Sound good Cards’ fans?

Davis Webb of the University of California, like Texas Tech’s Mahomes, has played in “gimmick” offenses. Webb actually played at Texas Tech before transferring to Cal. But, unlike Mahomes, Webb has shown an ability to throw from the pocket at times.

Chad Kelly of Ole Miss has been called a “gun-slinger”. He’s been prone to bad turnovers, gets rattled by pressure and has leadership questions. If that’s not enough reason to pass on him, Kelly also tore his ACL in 2016.

Overall, the quarterback class of 2017 may be the worst in years. Still, the Cardinals’ front office will most likely take a chance on someone from the mediocre crop. Hopefully, they’re intelligent enough not to waste their first-round pick on any of them.

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