Buzz Growing That Top Bears Draft Target Could Fall To 2nd Round

Do the Chicago Bears believe that a DeShone Kizer second round rendezvous is actually possible? People would've considered that crazy a few months ago. The Notre Dame quarterback was the hottest name in the college football world. A supreme physical talent with all the tools and playing for one of the most respected quarterback factories in the history of the game. Joe Montana. Joe Theismann. Daryle Lamonica. They all went to South Bend before taking the NFL by storm. Many believed that destiny awaits Kizer as well. This time of year should've been his moment to shine. Instead its been one puzzling stumble after another. Not all of it his fault either. It just seems like the flow of the river is heading in the wrong direction and he's caught in the current. Normally in such circumstances reality sets in and a first round hopeful must accept his spot towards the back of the line. Could Kizer actually be headed that way? Believe it.

Start the DeShone Kizer second round talk

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report is one of several credible sources that have continued to hint the quarterback run won't come right away. Not like the past few years. In fact it may take place at the end of the first round and early in the second round.

"A director of player personnel dropped this bombshell while talking with me this week: "I don't think that run on quarterbacks is gonna happen early. I think it happens in the 20s."

What!?

This might sound crazy, but after I digested this thought, it's really not. No team in the top five is connected to the top quarterbacks."

That's not the only executive who believes the quarterback run takes place later. Former scout and current NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah polled five others with the simple question. How many quarterbacks go in their first round? Their answers were diverse in numbers, but remarkably similar in at least one way:  Kizer is not among those expected to go that high.

Bursting the balloon

Read the names carefully. Most of the notables are brought up at least once. Yet his isn't. That is a surefire sign that teams aren't expecting to consider him in the top 32.

Executive 1: 3 QBs "I'll say 3. (Deshaun) Watson and (Mitchell) Trubisky go in some order early with a team coming back up into the late 20s to take either (Patrick) Mahomes or (Davis) Webb."

Executive 2: 4 QBs "I'll say at least 4. I just think people will trade back into Round 1 because they're scared (of missing out)." Executive 3: 2 QBs "Two. Watson and Webb. I am sticking to my Webb guns. He's the second-best QB in this class. I have read the Trubisky and Mahomes buzz. Not sure if I believe it." Executive 4: 2 QBs "I think we're going to see 2 (QBs) go in the first -- Trubisky and Mahomes." Executive 5: 3 QBs "I think 3 guys will go in the first: Watson, Trubisky and Mahomes."

Snatching the future at #36?

Not a single mention of Kizer anywhere. Davis Webb was mentioned far more often, another signal of how hot his draft stock has gotten since the Senior Bowl. Over that same span Kizer has watched his remain stuck in the mud. Going 4-8 for Notre Dame in his last season. Getting benched briefly and then publicly criticized for declaring too soon by his head coach. Inconsistent throwing sessions at the scouting combine. All of it seems to have convinced people the 21-year old needs work. All that being said, is he worth risking at the #36 pick for the Bears? The answer is yes. Zero hesitation or doubt. For all his drawbacks, Kizer remains one of the most talented quarterbacks in this class. He has size (6'4"), a big arm and can deliver the ball with accuracy when his footwork is sound. On top of that he's a smart kid, understanding how to read defenses, call audibles and set protections.

The Bears are in perfect position to take on somebody like him. They have two quality veterans on the roster. One to start in Mike Glennon for a year or two. Another to mentor in Mark Sanchez, something he did with great success last season for Dak Prescott in Dallas. Understand that Kizer is still very young. Chicago could technically stash him for two seasons if they wished. He won't be 23 until January of 2019. By that point they should have their answer on Glennon and he should be ready to go. It's exactly the sort of long-term plan this team hasn't had for ages.