Just like y’all, I love college football and I love this QB class of 2023. With it being season I predict FIVE quarterbacks coming off the bored in round 1 and at least 11-12 QBs to be drafted total.
Lets start with the obvious,
1. Bryce Young, Alabama (Top 3) 6 foot, 201lbs, Field General, 22 years old, Right-handed.
Bryce is by far the best QB in this draft with his all-around skill. There’s not a throw a can’t make, along with good mobility in and out of the pocket. I expect Bryce to be mid-high 80s in accuracy with a high 70 throw on the run while also having a about 87-89 throw power. He would rather play it safe and take a check down rather than risking the turnover and losing a possession. His throwing motion is about league average speed so no concerns from me that he is holding the ball for too long. Although Bryce is the best QB in the class, I wouldn’t be surprised if he drops to pick 2, Carolina isn’t the offense for him and there’s another QB in this class more fitting. I don’t expect Young to pass pick 2 though, especially with Jordan Davis not being part of this class.
FITS: CAR (1), NE (2), ATL (3), IND (5)
2. Anthony Richardson, Florida (Top 3) 6 foot 4, 250lbs, Scrambler, 22 years old, Right-handed.
A-Rich is the next best thing when it comes to a Lamar Jackson type player. He is definitely the fasted QB of the class while also having good strength to throw the ball where it needs to go. This might be the second fastest throwing motion we see in the class. Obviously, size, speed and strength are the upsides here, but the downside of AR is he struggles with accuracy. With all accuracies being between a B-C grades expect a low 80s high 70s. He likes to take risks to try and make the big plays sometimes. Which bring me with the prediction… Bryce may be QB1 in the class but I think A-Rich is QB1 in the draft. He is the PERFECT fit for that Carolina Panther offense and the OC’s dream come true. Getting this kind of QB in year 1 is a gift from God.
FITS: CAR (1), NE (2), ATL (3), IND (5)
3. CJ Stroud, Ohio State, (Top 5) 6 foot 3, 220lbs, Improvisor, 21 years old, Right-handed.
Mr. Stroud is a mixer of Bryce Young (Alabama) and Anthony Richardson (Florida). With CJ you’re going to get Young’s passing and Richardson’s running skills. Obviously, Stroud is not going to be as accurate as Young, nor will he be as quick or fast as AR, but the mixture of the two can be deadly in the right hands. With the good skills he possesses he has a fast-throwing motion coming over the top. Where Young can throw the ball accurately at all levels – Stroud’s strengths are intermediate to middle levels of the field, but don’t be fooled, just because it’s not as pretty doesn’t mean he can’t hit the long ball when it’s there. This is another QB I expect not to make it pass the 3rd pick going to Atlanta. Yes, they have Ridder but with his struggles so far this season I expect Stroud to be QB 1 and Ridder to pack his bags to a team that misses out of one of these top 5 QBs.
FITS: CAR (1), NE (2), ATL (3), IND (5)
4. Will Levis, Kentucky, (Top 10) 6 foot 2, 235lbs, Field General, 24 years old, Right-handed.
Will Levis loves to sling the rock just as much as he loves his mayonnaise. This kid is not afraid to throw the ball into tight windows or anticipate throws and that may be because he’s not the best at recognizing the pressure in this face. Another QB with a fast-throwing motion being able to get the ball out his hands if needed but also effectively with a good OL protecting him. He may struggle if he ends up with a team with no lineman. Levis is a QB that thrives in the short game but will struggle a little middle to deep passes but with that being said, Levis has a cannon for an arm. I think he will fall pass the Colts at 5 and end up in Miami. Miami has picks 6 and 7 so ideally, they pick up Will Levis and his new best friend at OT at the other pick.
FITS: CAR (1), NE (2), ATL (3), IND (5), MIA (6,7)
5. KJ Jefferson, Arkansas, (Top 20) 6 foot 3, 253lbs, Scrambler, 22 years old, Right-handed.
KJ is a poor man’s Anthony Richardson. He has the physicals but not the talent. Thats also why I have him in the top 20 of this draft. His physicals are just enough for someone to reach and have their improvisor QB for the cycle and with some content, in year 3 you will have AR 2.0. KJ does have the fastest release in this class though, so he does have 1 thing over any other QB in this class.
FITS: CAR (1), NE (2), ATL (3), IND (5), MIA (6,7)
