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Green Bay Packers 2018 roster preview: DeShone Kizer

By Freddie Boston

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 17: DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 17: DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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After trading for him this offseason, the Green Bay Packers will be hoping DeShone Kizer wins the backup quarterback job this summer.

DeShone Kizer is the frontrunner for the No. 2 job behind Aaron Rodgers as things stand, but he’ll need to play well at training camp.

There is competition for places, although it’s likely Kizer makes the roster even if he’s third on the depth chart.

Let’s take a look back at Kizer’s rookie season.

2017 stats

It was a difficult rookie year for the second-round pick. Kizer played 15 games for the Browns, completing 53.6 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards, 11 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

2017 review

Kizer didn’t play well for much of his rookie season. But it’s important to consider that he was just 21-years-old, playing his debut season in the NFL on a bad football team. The Cleveland Browns didn’t win a game all season. That’s not all Kizer’s fault.

Arguably Kizer’s best game came against the Packers. He threw for 214 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. His second pick was crucial, as it gave the Packers great field position in overtime.

Odds of making roster: 80 percent

As the Packers traded away their best cornerback for Kizer, it’s hard to imagine him not making the 53-man roster. He isn’t guaranteed a spot though, and will need to play well over the summer.

Kizer is in a better position than Brett Hundley. If Hundley is outperformed by Kizer, it’s likely Hundley will be cut. But if Kizer is outperformed by Hundley, the Packers will probably keep three quarterbacks.

Trading for Kizer wasn’t just about the backup job. The Packers clearly like his potential, and believe he can develop into a quality player with time. He’ll get that opportunity in Green Bay.

2018 preview

If all goes well, Kizer will spend the entire season on the bench. For both Kizer’s development and Green Bay’s Super Bowl dreams, we can hope Aaron Rodgers plays all 16 games this season.

There’s a good chance Kizer will begin the season as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart.

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

If Rodgers gets injured again, will the 2017 second-round pick perform at a higher level than Hundley did last season?

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