Top four quarterbacks likely to be gone by the start of Round 2
If the Bears are committed to drafting a quarterback this year, as they've implied, and they don't use the third overall pick, which is unlikely since they signed Mike Glennon in free agency, the top four quarterbacks are likely to be gone by the start of Round 2.
Clemson's Deshaun Watson, North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky, Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes and Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer are all first-round picks on some draft boards. But others have just two quarterbacks going in Round One.
The next tier of quarterbacks includes Cal's Davis Webb, Pitt's Nathan Peterman, and after that, Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs and maybe Miami's Brad Kaaya and Iowa's C.J. Beathard.
Those second- and third-tier guys will all be available when the Bears are on the clock in Round 2 with the 36th overall pick. Most might all still be there when the Bears pick in Round 3, 67th overall.
Of course, there's always the chance the Bears could trade back into the end of the first round if a top-tier quarterback they deem worthy is still on the board.
If not, there are several things to like about the quarterbacks who won't get drafted in the first round.
Peterman might be the most NFL-ready of all the quarterbacks, having started 23 games in an NFL offense over the past two seasons while throwing 47 TD passes and just 15 interceptions.
Peterman is smart on and off the field. He began his career at Tennessee but after redshirting, started just two games, although he managed to earn a degree in communications in three years.
He transferred to Pitt in 2015 to play for offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, who had recruited him to Tennessee. Peterman played in his third offense in 2016 under new Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada. In addition to getting his MBA, Peterman proved he could rapidly learn an offense.
"Playing in three different offenses helped," Peterman said. "Knowing I can learn an offense extremely quickly and master an offense quickly is just going to help me. I've been in some pro-style systems. I've been under center, I've been in the huddle, I've been in the no-huddle. I've done it all, and I'm ready to do it at the next level."
Cal's Webb is the tallest of the top QBs at a shade under 6-foot-5, and he also played in two programs. He started 14 games in three years at Texas Tech but was beaten out by Patrick Mahomes. Because Webb graduated before he left Texas Tech, he was able to transfer to Cal as the Bears' starter in 2016 without sitting out a year.
Despite having to transfer to become a full-time starter, Webb said he was always confident he'd eventually make it to the Scouting Combine.
"I've been 6-5, 230 pounds, and can throw the ball better than anybody," he said. "So I've always believed in myself, and I'll continue to do that."
There are no hard feeling between Webb and Mahomes, who competed alongside each other at the Combine.
"We're good friends," Webb said. "We always have been since ... his first year at Texas Tech, and it still continues to today. We still text throughout the summer and every Saturday throughout the season to wish each other luck.
"He watched my games late at night. I watched his in the morning. We're very close, and we'll continue to do that."
Top 10 quarterbacks in 2017 draft
Name, school Ht. Wt. 40
Deshaun Watson, Clemson 6-2.4 221 4.68
A winner and a leader who threw 32 INT's but also 90 TDs. Played his best in big games.
Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina 6-2.1 222 4.67
Strong arm and appears to have all the tools plus big upside but was just a 1-year starter.
Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech 6-2.0 225 4.82
Put up huge numbers in gimmicky offense but his big arm translates well to NFL, despite small hands.
DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame 6-4.2 233 4.87
High ceiling but low floor. Has plus arm strength, athleticism and quick feet but went 4-8 in 2016.
Davis Webb, California 6-4.5 229 4.83
Small hands, average athlete and arm but has great size, smarts and poise with a quick release.
Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh 6-2.4 226 4.81
Played in NFL scheme, can read defenses and gets rid of the ball quickly with good mechanics but average arm.
Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee 6-3.3 216 4.64
Great athlete with good arm strength and size but needs work on mechanics, accuracy. Small hands.
Brad Kaaya, Miami 6-3.7 214 4.97
3-year starter with average arm, feet and athleticism. Hot-and-cold accuracy and production.
C.J. Beathard, Iowa 6-2.4 219 4.78
Grandson of legendary NFL exec Bobby Beathard. Tough game manager played under center in NFL-type offense.
Chad Kelly, Mississippi 6-2.0 220 4.85
Nephew of QB Jim Kelly. Talented and fiery but a torn ACL, surgical wrist; more baggage than Johnny Manziel.
Under "Ht." the number following the period refers to eighths of an inch.
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