DeShone vs. Deshaun
Four quarterbacks were selected in the first two rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft, and while we may have to wait some time for the debuts of Mitchell Trubisky and Patrick Mahomes II, we very well may see two rookies under center week one. DeShone Kizer and Deshaun Watson both have the potential to start for their respective teams next Sunday. Kizer, already having won the job, will make his NFL debut in a rivalry game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson is the still the backup to Tom Savage, but that can certainly change from now to kickoff.
Watson, a former Heisman trophy winner and two-time Heisman finalist, joins the Houston Texans on the heels of winning the College Football National Championship with the Clemson Tigers a year prior. Despite an alarmingly low completion percentage, Watson has put together a decent preseason, and it’s important to keep in mind that this has all been done with the second unit. A former gunslinger out of Notre Dame, Kizer has also put together a respectable preseason, but the early indicators show Watson demonstrating more poise over better opposition (see the Patriots game).
From a personnel standpoint, Watson has a significant advantage over Kizer, as Houston has a noticeably better offensive line, receiving corps, and running game. The Cleveland Browns are poised to be better than they were in recent memory, but they have seen the departure of Terrelle Pryor Sr., as well as the implosion of Josh Gordon. The addition of Kenny Britt, gives Kizer a true number one option, but Cleveland still lacks a game-changing playmaker like the Texans have in DeAndre Hopkins. Not to mention, Houston still owns one of the top defenses in the NFL, a major asset in keeping games close for Watson to compete.
Standing at 6'4, Kizer has a sleight height advantage over Watson who stands at 6'3. The biggest separation in physical gifts between these two is arm strength. Kizer has a stronger arm and comes with the reputation of a gunslinger, something he picked up from some more impressive throws during his time at Notre Dame. While both possess above-average mobility, it is Watson who seems to be further ahead on the mental aspects of the game in terms of preparation, intangibility, and poise. In his two National Championship appearances against Nick Saban’s Alabama squad, Watson passed for 825 yards, 7 touchdowns, while own throwing one interception. Watson also rushed for 116 yards and a score. It’s hard to compare any performance in college to the faster pro-style game at the next level, but Alabama is the closest thing you will find to a pro defense at the collegiate level and Watson has demonstrated repeated success against them.
It’s always tough to predict which rookies will be successful years down the road, but from the evidence laid out for us, all signs point to Watson being the better quarterback. Sustaining a long and successful NFL Career is no easy task, but with his personnel, experiences, and other defining traits, Deshaun Watson is better equipped to become a successful pro than DeShone Kizer. Not to mention, Kizer is with the Browns. Good luck with that.
