Browns Prospect Profiles: DeShone Kizer
Follow the author: @JayTCannon
Pick: Round 2, Pick 52
Position: Quarterback
College: Notre Dame
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 233 lbs.
If you are reading an article on this site, I probably shouldn’t have to fill you in on how the quarterback position has haunted the Browns franchise for nearly 20 years. Since 1999, the city has seen talented players at a variety of positions come and go, but are still searching for any sign of hope at the most important position on the field.
After passing on a quarterback with all three of their picks in the first round, the Browns selected Kizer, a big but unpolished passer out of Notre Dame with the 52nd overall pick.
The conversation about Kizer starts with two things: his size and his potential.
Standing 6’4” and 233 lbs., Kizer provides not only a tall frame but also a sturdy one, which will instantly help him with his pocket passing in the NFL. His combination of size and mobility has already garnered comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger. While nobody is promising a Hall of Fame career out of Kizer, he undoubtedly possesses the physical traits to make his mark as a franchise quarterback in the NFL.
The term “potential” could realistically be applied to any player in the draft, but it has evolved into a tag for players who are physically and athletically imposing but have not gotten enough experience to earn the trust of scouts and draft analysts.
ESPN’s lead draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay both agree that Kizer, despite his set of physical tools, still has ways to go to develop into the position.
“I just don’t know if the 6-foot-4, 230-pound QB has the experience yet,” said Kiper in a midseason article. “But the tape doesn’t lie; he’s a phenomenal prospect.”
Even his former head coach Brian Kelly chimed in on the matter saying, “He should still be in college. He needs more time to grow in so many areas, not just on the field but off the field.”
While Kelly criticized Kizer for entering the draft early, he did make note that he thinks the Toledo, Ohio native will end up being the best quarterback to come out of this draft.
On a more specific level, Kizer’s best assets on the field are his arm strength and his ability to run.
“He has impressive arm strength and the ability to make a variety of throws with touch,” said WalterFootball.com’s Charlie Campbell. “Kizer has the arm talent to make all the throws the pro game requires.”
In both of his years as a starter at Notre Dame, Kizer put up impressive rushing marks. He ran for 992 yards and 18 touchdowns in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
With quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler on the roster as well, Kizer likely won’t see the field for a while. However, with the way that the Browns quarterback position operates, there is a high chance that we see Kizer take the field in the later weeks of the season.
Follow the author: @JayTCannon
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