Deshaun Watson could start right away, but other drafted QBs expected to wait

PHILADELPHIA –  Ten quarterbacks have come off the board in the draft. Who has the best shot of playing right away? Who is likely to ride the bench for seasoning? We break down how each rookie passer taken in the seven rounds fits in with his new team.

Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears

It’s rare for a team to give up so much capital, draft a player, and then put him in a position where he sits on the bench to develop. But that’s what the Bears did when they moved up one spot to pluck Trubisky. General manager Ryan Pace told Trubisky minutes after Chicago selected him that Mike Glennon, whom the Bears signed as a free agent last month, would be the starter.

Trubisky is the most accurate passer in the class, has plus arm strength, and can operate in the pocket – traits that are a seamless fit in offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains’ system full of West Coast passing concepts.

A whirlwind day for top QB prospect Mitchell Trubisky as draft neared

But he only started 13 games while at North Carolina, so the popular thought is that he just needs more reps and experience.

Glennon is signed to a three-year deal, but 2018 and 2019 are both team options, so Chicago can cut bait at its discretion. The Bears will monitor how Trubisky progresses, but as soon as one of two things happen – Glennon falters, or Trubisky outshines him – he should take the reins of the franchise.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Arguably the quarterback with the most dynamic arm in the class, Mahomes boasts a gunslinging mentality and zip on his throws. But he also needs time to refine his technique and understanding of NFL offenses. He’s the prototypical boom-or-bust draft pick, and his selection by the Chiefs affords him the perfect scenario.

Patrick Mahomes is NFL draft's ultimate QB conundrum

He can sit behind Alex Smith, who is signed through 2018, though the Chiefs can opt out of the deal after 2017. This gives Kansas City – and Mahomes – some flexibility to not rush him into action too early. Coach Andy Reid has plenty of experience in molding quarterbacks with Mahomes’ skill set – think Brett Favre – so whenever Mahomes proves that he’s ready, he should step right into Reid’s West Coast offense with spread elements sprinkled in.

Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

The Texans were a playoff team without Watson. They went 9-7 and won the AFC South. That was with the below-average QB play. Both coach Bill O’Brien and general manager Rick Smith said that Tom Savage will start for Houston, but Watson has the best shot of any of the rookie passers to play early.

Cal QB Davis Webb just might coach himself into first round of draft

If Savage struggles – even as early as training camp – Watson could even start from Day One. But if Savage proves he can at least be competent, then Houston will have the luxury of easing Watson along. O’Brien raved about Watson’s recall during their three-hour formal interview, so Houston likely won’t shy away from putting a lot on the rookie’s plate. O’Brien’s offense is fairly complex in its verbiage, so though it may take some time, Watson should be up for the job.

DeShone Kizer, Cleveland Browns

A slide into the third round lands Kizer with an excellent fit with coach Hue Jackson, who’s noted for maximizing the play of his QBs. Kizer has all the physical skills teams crave in their quarterbacks. He has size (6-foot-4), he’s athletic enough to make plays with his feet, he can play in the pocket and he has a strong arm. But Kizer appeared to regress in 2016 and looked like he forced the ball far too many times.

DeShone Kizer: I can be greatest quarterback ever to play in NFL

Cleveland needs a huge boost in QB play in 2017, but that still doesn’t mean that Kizer will play right away. Depending on how quickly Kizer can grasp Jackson’s offense, Cody Kessler may be in charge of the Browns for the time being.

Davis Webb, New York Giants

Like many of the other prospects taken ahead of him, Webb comes into a spot where he doesn’t need to contribute right away. Eli Manning is New York’s starter, and that is expected to stay that way for the next few seasons. But make no mistake, this pick is about finding Manning’s successor. Webb has several traits that project to him being a capable quarterback in the NFL, but his entire career has been in offenses that simplify decision-making. He won’t be able to get away with that in the NFL.

Cal QB Davis Webb just might coach himself into first round of draft

But Webb’s work ethic is his greatest strength. He’ll need it to get to the point where he’s making anticipatory throws and not waiting for receivers to get open. A big chunk of coach Ben McAdoo’s offense requires throws near the line of scrimmage, which is Webb’s bread and butter. It will take some time, but that’s why it might just work.

C.J. Beathard, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco desperately needs QB help. Before free agency began, the 49ers had none on the roster. Beathard in the third round is a bit of a reach, but he adds depth to the locker room. There’s almost no chance that Beathard plays in 2017, with Brian Hoyer serving as the current starter and Matt Barkley sitting behind him in the backup spot.

This pick, though, was likely made in large part because of how similar Beathard’s offense in Iowa was to the system coach Kyle Shanahan will implement in his first season as a head coach.

Joshua Dobbs, Pittsburgh Steelers

Selected in the fourth round, he will be given the chance to be the heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger.

The aerospace engineering major doesn't like the "dual threat" label and believes his arm is as much a weapon on the field as his legs.

Nathan Peterman, Buffalo Bills

He was considered the best pro-style prospect coming into the draft. A good decision-maker was the tag from NFL scouts.

Whether he can compete for the starting job immediately remains to be seen, but either way the QB situation in Buffalo just got more interesting. But the fifth-round pick will almost certainly be in the mix for the backup role.

Brad Kaaya, Detroit Lions

Fell to the sixth round, much lower than projected. But that should tell you what NFL teams thought ... he might have been better to stay in school.

Still,  goes into a situation with no pressure to perform immediately, so it might be a great fit for him.

Chad Kelly, Denver Broncos

The last player taken. Mr. Irrelevant.

And Kelly became irrelevant because of off-the-field issues and recent wrist surgery. But he couldn't have landed in a better spot.

This will be a redshirt year for him, but he could battle for the starting spot by 2018.

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes