Now that the NFL Combine is over it’s time to talk “Quarterback”. Yes, let’s take a look at the four dominant quarterbacks that are leading the pack in this season’s rookie class.
This year’s group is special because three-of-the-four played in the SEC which is known as college football’s top conference. The other quarterback played in this years CFP semi-final game and nearly led his team to the upset of the back-back national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
1. CJ Stroud (Ohio State Buckeyes) Odds for number 1 pick +500
Speaking of the near upset game against the Georgia Bulldogs, Stroud in my opinion could be one of the underrated quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class. At 6’4″, 220 lbs, Stroud has a nice size for a rookie signal-caller, solid scrambling ability, and of course passing. He throw for six-touchdowns against Michigan State, setting a conference record for Most 6 passing touchdown games in a career – with 3, in 2022.
Stroud is very vocal as a leader when he said he didn’t want the Chicago Bears to draft him. He believes that the Bears are Justin Fields’ team. He thinks they should not give up on him after drafting him in 2021.
2. Will Levis (Kentucky Wildcats) Odds for number 1 pick +900
One of the three SEC quarterbacks in this class, Levis also has great size for a quarterback at 6’3″, 232 lbs, and has a very strong arm. He too is very mobile and is a winner. The thing about a player like Levis is he is a little trigger happy who trusts his arms too much and relies on making the big play. This is why he threw for 19 tds, and 10 ints. in 2022.
If he can learn to pull back a little bit and make the smart throws, you got yourself a complete and smart signal-caller in Mr. Levis. Before he went to Kentucky as a grad transfer, he graduated from Penn State with a business degree and played ball there so he knows how this whole football process works.
3. Bryce Young (Alabama Crimson Tide) Odds for number 1 pick -185
Being the second SEC quarterback in this group, Young lacks the size that the other three quarterbacks have at only 5’10”, 204 lbs, but he is very talented nonetheless. In college, he already became a “Pepper” as he signed an NIL deal of about $800,000 with Dr. Pepper, who produces those hilarious Fansville commercials during the College Football season.
In 2021, Young helped Bama reached the CFP National Championship game, but he and his team fell short to the Georgia Bulldogs 33-18. Many say Young is the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft. If he can put on some more muscle, he can have a great rookie season and a productive NFL career.
4. Anthony Richardson (Florida Gators) Odds for number 1 pick +300
The last of the SEC quarterbacks and definitely not the least, Richardson certainly did not disappoint. After probably one of the best combines ever for a quarterback prospect, Richardson’s odds from being the number 1 prospect have shrunk from +10000 to +300. Look for those odds to even tapper down if Scouts and GM’s can determine a way to train him to play like a “Josh Allen” type quarterback for their team.
Richardson tallied two-records at the combine for the Quarterback position with a 40.5 inch vertical jump and a 10 foot, 9 inch broad jump.
He has even better size than both Levis and Stroud at 6’4″, 244 lbs. and ran a ridiculous 40 time of 4.43 seconds for a quarterback that big. If you had to picture the perfect NFL quarterback prospect in terms of arm strength, size, mobility, and football i.q., Anthony Richardson is your guy.
My Picks
If I were a GM in the NFL, this is how I would rate the four quarterbacks:
- Bryce Young- Although I think Young is small in stature, I can’t argue that he is talented enough to be a productive NFL starter. He is a cool and calm young man with a drive that started at Alabama and it eats at him that he couldn’t win a national championship there. He is also NFL ready and is very mature for his age. Look for Young to compete for a starting job his rookie year.
- Anthony Richardson- This kid is the most exciting football player in the NFL draft. With quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes who already have that “It factor” and make a living off the exciting plays, Richardson already can do that. If a team wants a quarterback who can help them win more games and take it up a notch, then you need to strike quick and draft the 6’4″, 244 lb. electrifier out of the Florida Gators.
- CJ Stroud- One of the more underrated quarterbacks in the draft, the Ohio State product came one win shy of making the CFP national championship game last year. Stroud is a gunslinger with a strong arm and he carries a great pocket presence while delivering the football with a quick release. He can also move out of the pocket and take off with his legs when needed and move those chains for a first down.
- Will Levis- With size and athleticism, the Kentucky Wildcat signal-caller is one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL draft. At 6’3″, 232 lbs, the muscular quarterback is built like a tank, his legs are like tree trunks, and he has a cannon for an arm. While he had a down year in 2022, the notable quarterback still has many positive traits in an NFL quarterback that a team will want to draft.
While I gave you my opinion on the top four QB’s in the 2023 NFL draft, now it’s your turn to give me your thoughts on your picks…
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