The high-stakes volatility of a second-round NFL draft pick
In short: In 2017, DeShone Kizer arrived in the NFL as a highly touted prospect. Yet, his rookie season became a historic struggle, as he led the league in interceptions while playing for a team that achieved a rare, winless season.
DeShone Kizer’s professional trajectory serves as a stark study in the volatility of NFL quarterback prospects. Entering the 2017 NFL Draft, analysts viewed him as a premier talent; Bucky Brooks ranked him as the second-best quarterback in the class, while others like Mike Mayock and Sports Illustrated placed him in the top four. His physical tools and performance at Notre Dame's Pro Day, where he completed 50 of 60 passes, suggested a bright future.
However, his tenure as the starter for the Cleveland Browns was marked by extreme statistical highs and lows. During his 15 starts as a rookie, Kizer threw for 2,894 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he also threw a league-leading 22 interceptions. This period coincided with the Browns' 0–16 regular-season finish, making them only the second team in NFL history to endure such a winless campaign.
Following his time in Cleveland, Kizer’s career transitioned into a series of backup roles. He was traded to the Green Bay Packers in March 2018, where he appeared in relief of Aaron Rodgers, and later spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans. Beyond the field, Kizer has moved into the digital frontier, founding One of None, an NFT-based marketplace, and participating in the decentralized organization ON_Disme.
Kizer's career illustrates the immense pressure placed on young signal-callers. While his collegiate years at Notre Dame saw significant success—including a 2012 state title in high school and a 10–2 regular season in 2015—the leap to the professional level proved much more difficult to navigate.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: DeShone Kizer
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