Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals smart not to believe quarterback hype

By Jim Koch

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 /
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The pressure was on to find Carson Palmer’s replacement but the Arizona Cardinals ultimately found the top prospects unimpressive

Arizona Cardinals’ fans thought this was it. Their team had moved up nine spots in the second round, giving up alot to do so. The trade-up had to be for a quarterback, correct?

It wasn’t to be. The object of general manager Steve Keim’s affections turned out to be University of Washington safety Budda Baker. Notre Dame signal-caller DeShone Kizer, who many believed would be the selection there, was not.

The truth is, Kizer has more red flags than any other passer in this year’s class. On the field, there’s problems with his accuracy and decision-making. Off the field, there’s whispers that Kizer is more concerned with marketing himself than perfecting his quarterbacking skills.

Texas Tech’s Pat Mahomes was linked with Arizona often over the past few weeks. However, the  Kansas City Chiefs jumped up in front of the Cardinals, nabbing the raw product with the 10th pick in the first round. But if Keim had really coveted Mahomes, the Cards would’ve needed to move up just four spots, from #13 to 9, to get it done.

Acquiring DeShaun Watson would’ve taken even less of a climb in the draft than Mahomes. The pride of Clemson was taken one pick ahead of Arizona, when the Houston Texans swooped in and took him #12. A relatively simple jump to #13 to 11 could’ve netted the Cardinals’ organization the enigmatic flamethrower if they so desired.

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The quarterback best suited to run Bruce Arians’ offense was never really in play. North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky surprisingly went to the Chicago Bears with the second pick in the draft.

Cal’s Davis Webb went to the New York Giants in the third round with the 87th overall pick. Though Webb has the arm strength and size (6’5″, 232) Arians likes, he’s also a major project. The offense he ran in college heavily utilized the shotgun formation, so taking snaps from center is currently foreign to him.

There is one quarterback remaining who may be worth taking a flier on. Pittsburgh’s Nathan Peterman is still available at the time of this writing. The 6’2″, 225 pounder’s stock has risen in the past few weeks.

In summary, the 2017 crop of quarterbacks just isn’t up to par. Arizona’s braintrust correctly determined that none of these kids are worth going the extra mile for. Time will tell, but they’re probably right.

But Cards’ fans need not fret. The 2018 group is just a year away.

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