Chicago Bears: DeShone Kizer Impresses at Pro Day, Earns Private Workout at Halas Hall

Could the Chicago Bears be considering a run at DeShone Kizer early in the draft?

To take a top quarterback, or not to take a top quarterback? That will be a question for the Chicago Bears leading up to, and on, the draft’s opening night April 27.

While it’s very likely that the Bears will draft a defensive playmaker with the third overall pick, such as Jamal Adams, Jonathan Allen or Solomon Thomas. However, that doesn’t mean that the Bears, who still face an uncertain future at quarterback, shouldn’t look hard at a top QB prospect at number three, later in the first round or possibly on Day 2.

After the Bears sent an entire convoy to Deshaun Watson’s Pro Day workout, speculation mounted that the Bears could be considering grabbing him at #3, as it’s unlikely he would fall to them in the second round.

To be sure, Watson certainly fits the description of a player who “elevated his program,” which is something Ryan Pace values. His pedigree as a winner has absolutely no parallel among this QB draft class, which could help the Bears, or any other franchise, if he is able to adjust to the NFL game.

But a dark horse candidate may have just re-emerged in the quest to be the top quarterback in this draft, and the Bears appear to have some real interest in him.

That would be Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, who, after an uneven performance at the NFL Combine earlier this month, looked much better at his Pro Day workout today, leaving many impressed.

No one doubts Kizer’s arm talent and prototypical quarterback size, but after being knocked for subpar accuracy and footwork at the Combine, he appeared to have cleaned up his technique notably while working primarily under center.

Though no Bears coaches attended Kizer’s workout, they did send two scouts, including veteran Midwest scout Jeff Shiver. Furthermore, after his throwing session was over, Brad Biggs reported that the Bears will host him at Halas Hall soon.

This doesn’t mean that the Bears intend to take him at #3 overall—after all, some mock drafts suggest that he will be available in the second round—but it does mean that he’s on their radar, though other top QB prospects may also be invited to work out for the Bears soon as well.

More from Da Windy City

• 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
• Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
• The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
• Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
• Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal

As a prospect, Kizer polarizes people largely because his production—namely his win total at Notre Dame—didn’t quite square up with his skill set, a fact that he has taken responsibility for repeatedly. Furthermore, inaccurate stretches in games and costly turnovers hurt him at times, particularly in 4^th quarters last season.

However, while 2016 did not always represent his best work, it’s important to account for his 2015 tape, which featured multiple big plays in crunch time—including clutch drives against Virginia (his first major action), Temple, Stanford, and even against Watson and Clemson.

Another underrated aspect of Kizer’s game is the fact that he played in a relatively pro-style NFL offense in which he was responsible for audibles, calling protections, and making full field reads, something not always common with college quarterbacks. One could make the argument that, from an Xs and Os standpoint, Kizer may transition more quickly to NFL schemes than his peers.

Plus, his character, like Watson’s, garners high praise from coaches and teammates alike.

"“He doesn’t shy away from anything at all,” Notre Dame tight end Chase Hounshell said of Kizer. “He embraces it all. That’s a guy a team wants to huddle around. You can form a team around D.K…You’re talking about football IQ, you’re talking about physical ability, accuracy, the complete package. Whatever team drafts DeShone Kizer is going to fall in love with him, and I think he’s going to be at that team for a very long time.”"

Next: Bears Complete Seven-Round 2017 NFL Mock Draft

I’m not convinced that the Bears will take a QB at #3, and if they did, it’s far more likely to be Watson than anyone else. But if it’s a question of who is more likely to be great NFL player (despite the risk), Kizer could very well be the best quarterback in this draft.

And if they pass on a QB at #3, I fully expect the Bears to monitor him closely, especially if it looks like he may fall to the second round. For what it’s worth, Kizer may have told us that he’d like it here, unless he just really likes 60s/70s rock and roll…

DeShone Kizer is clearly on the Chicago Bears’ radar and they very well may be on his.