Report: Cardinals to visit with Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer on Monday
Apr 10, 2017, 9:41 AM | Updated: 3:52 pm
Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Cardinals are set to meet with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson later this week.
But they will not be waiting until Wednesday to chat with a potential quarterback of the future, as it is being reported they will visit with Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer on Monday.
#NotreDame QB DeShone Kizer is visiting the #AZCardinals today, source said. At No. 13, this is a potential landing spot for him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 10, 2017
Kizer is one of the more polarizing prospects in a draft that features a handful of quarterbacks with high ceilings and low floors.
On one hand, the 6-foot-4, 233-pound passer with mobility offers a tantalizing skill set and the look of someone who could be a dynamic player at the NFL level. Last season, Kizer passes for 2,925 yards and 26 touchdowns, while adding another eight scores on the ground.
Looking at all that, he could very well be worth the 13th overall selection in the first round.
On the other hand, however, the inconsistent Kizer was benched in the middle of his junior season after struggling and his college coach, Brian Kelly, recently said he felt the player should have returned to school for his senior season.
Kelly has since walked back on those comments, saying he thinks Kizer is the best QB in the draft but that he believes any player would benefit from more time at Notre Dame, but still, the idea that the player is not quite ready for the next level is one shared by many.
That may not necessarily be a problem for a team like the Cardinals, who while talking about their desire for a young quarterback have maintained they are in a good spot because whoever they pick would not be required to play this upcoming season. Instead, the rookie — whoever it is — would have time to sit and learn from veterans Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton before being asked to lead the team, either next season or perhaps later down the road.
That said, according to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s John Gambadoro, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians believes Kizer is the one quarterback in this draft class who could start as a rookie, if need be.
