DeShone Kizer will compete with Brett Hundely to become Aaron Rodgers' backup with the Green Bay Packers this year.

“In my opinion, if he was in that class this year,” McCarthy said, “he would’ve been part of that group of first four guys, or first five. I always felt there were five, the five quarterbacks, first-round guys.”

The “first four guys” McCarthy referenced were Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield (first overall, Cleveland), USC’s Sam Darnold (third, New York Jets), Wyoming’s Josh Allen (seventh, Buffalo) and UCLA’s Josh Rosen (10th, Arizona). The fifth was Louisville’s Lamar Jackson.

Kizer was the No. 52 pick in 2017 by the Browns. Kizer went winless in 15 starts for the Browns and then was traded to the Packers.

“I think he has exceptional arm talent,” McCarthy said. “What we’re asking him to do is, particularly the footwork and just how he fits the scheme, and how he operates is brand new to him. That always excites me, because when you see that guy has no experience or background but has the ability, to me that’s an opportunity for a lot of growth. So I think he has a bright future.”