Chicago Bears: Possible Quarterback Options In 2017 NFL Draft

With Jay Cutler gone, the Chicago Bears will be looking at quarterbacks in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for them, their options aren’t that great.

We all know that the Chicago Bears are going to draft a quarterback, but the question is, which one? While it’s unlikely the team will use its third overall selection on one, the Bears could theoretically draft a quarterback in any other round, including possibly even trading back up into the late first round.

The Bears made a splash in free agency when they signed Mike Glennon to a three-year, $45 million contract. Essentially, though, it’s a one year deal, with the team being able to walk away after year one with low financial repercussions. It seems like Glennon is simply keeping the seat warm for the next young quarterback to take over.

Unfortunately for the Bears (and several other teams), it is not considered to be a strong draft for quarterbacks this year. However, the Bears will still draft one, and there are several options to choose from:

Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina

The big knock on Trubisky is that he was only a one-year starter for the Tar Heels. His limited experience hurts, but Trubisky displays good athleticism, accuracy, and arm strength. Trubisky’s level of competition faced isn’t the greatest, but if the Bears want him, they’ll most likely have to use their third overall pick.

Deshaun Watson, Clemson

Watson has fantastic intangibles and seems to play his best in critical situations. His mobility is his biggest strength, but his arm strength is a question mark. After throwing 30 interceptions the past two years, Watson’s decision making has come into question. Scouts also wonder if his style of play will translate well to the next level. A wild card, Watson could be the first quarterback taken or fall into the second-round.

DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame

Kizer is a frustrating player to watch because he looks great on one play and awful on the next. The physical tools are there for him to become an elite NFL quarterback, but his inconsistent play is a huge drawback. Kizer possesses above average arm strength and mobility, but his record as a starter bears concern. Kizer is a polarizing player who could be picked anywhere, starting from the middle of the first-round.

Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech

Jay Cutler 2.0. His arm talent is unquestioned, but his decision making and poor mechanics make him a project. Mahomes has a knack of making something out of nothing, but also has the propensity to try to do too much. Mahomes is a natural playmaker, but his NFL team will have to learn to accept the bad with the good. Mahomes has been generating first-round buzz, but he could be an option for the Bears early in the second-round.

Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh

The Bears were around Peterman at the Senior Bowl, so few teams know as much about him as they do. Peterman is sometimes careless with the football, but his arm strength, touch, and accuracy make him an intriguing prospect. A potential fringe second-to-third-round player, Peterman figures to need some time to develop. Of any quarterback on this list, Peterman has the best odds of becoming a Chicago Bear.

Davis Webb, California

Seen as a project, Webb is a potential mid-round pick. His arm strength is average, but his accuracy and decision making leave something to be desired. He started the 2016 season strong, but faltered down the stretch. Whichever team drafts Webb needs to have a strong coaching staff around him.

Next: 5 First-Round Options for Chicago Bears in NFL Draft

Brad Kaaya, Miami

Kaaya has very good mechanics, but his accuracy and anticipation are questionable. While not possessing the biggest arm, Kaaya has shown the ability to make throws to every level of the field. Most scouts feel he should have stayed at Miami for another year, as he still has a great deal to work on. However, the Bears could take him in the mid-rounds and try to develop him in 2017, with the hope that he could push for the starting job in 2018.

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