Kansas City Chiefs: 5 Potential Backup Quarterback Options

Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Davis Webb (7) passes against the Utah Utes in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Davis Webb (7) passes against the Utah Utes in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Davis Webb – NFL Draft

Reports have surfaced that Webb has met with the Chiefs already ahead of the 2017 draft. He is ranked lower on many draft boards than Mahomes, though his footwork and accuracy can be definitively better on a consistent basis. He looks like your prototypical NFL quarterback and plays in the system that produced the No. 1 overall pick in 2016. That can also be part of his problem.

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Last season, the Rams picked up fellow Cal quarterback Jared Goff to be their future at the position. It didn’t go so well. The air-raid offense calls for virtually no reads, but rather predetermined targets. Webb also gets very inaccurate beyond 20 yards, which isn’t all that unfamiliar to Chiefs fans. He fits Reid’s system, but needs a lot of growth to be a viable starter. Webb could grow behind a similar styled quarterback in Alex Smith. He could also be a placeholder at backup should the Chiefs draft a better option.

DeShone Kizer – NFL Draft

Quarterbacks in this draft are all over the map. There aren’t a ton of quarterback-needy teams in the second half of the first round and this class is not good enough to draft in the top of the round. That tends to ease the market a little bit, allowing guys like Kizer to slip late into the first round. If Kizer falls that far, then don’t be surprised if the Chiefs pick him up. Kansas City would actually be the perfect fit as his talent is off the charts, but he needs a little more time to develop.

Kizer can make any throw look effortless and his footwork is consistent and strong. What he may lack is the ability to read defenses at NFL speed. This can lead to interceptions and sacks when he has plenty of time in the pocket. While pocket presence is something he may not learn well from Smith, reading defenses is something at which Smith excels. Kizer can develop into a star at the position as long as he is given a chance to sit for at least one season.