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Chicago Bears: Fatal Flaws for each High Profile QB in the Draft

By William "Wild Bill" Ingalls

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) is pressured by Stanford Cardinal linebacker Peter Kalambayi (34) as he tries to throw the ball at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) is pressured by Stanford Cardinal linebacker Peter Kalambayi (34) as he tries to throw the ball at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

DeShone Kizer: Accuracy

Despite suffering a 4-8 record, Kizer still maintains first round value according to most draft experts. Despite a rough season, Kizer’s 6’4 frame bodes well in the pocket. In addition, he arguably possess the best arm in the draft. However, the quarterback for the Fighting Irish still possesses a fatal flaw, accuracy.

Kizer completed 60.7% of his passes throughout his college career which raises serious questions. Quarterbacks rarely experience an improvement in accuracy at the NFL level. Better players on the defensive side of the ball means tighter windows across the board. Additionally, defensive schemes become more complex which doesn’t help any rookie’s case as a signal caller.

Some real life examples include Teddy Bridgewater whose 68.3 completion percentage dropped to 64.9 when he reached the NFL. Sam Bradford completed 67.6% of his passes at Oklahoma, but he’s only managed to complete 62.3% of his passes as a pro. A couple of players who experienced a small improvement in accuracy include Aaron Rodgers who ascended from his 63.8 completion percentage to a 65.1 NFL completion percentage, and Kirk Cousins who went from 64.1% to 65.9%, but those numbers hint at something further.

None of the above players turned suspect accuracy into great accuracy. Perhaps the most telling example of this is current Bears signal caller, Jay Cutler. As a Vanderbilt Commodore, Cutler completed, 57.2% of his passes, his NFL completion percentage stands at 61.9%.

It’s possible that Kizer overcomes his accuracy to become a viable NFL starter, but he’s no third overall pick.

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