The 2023 NFL Draft is finally here, and nobody know what will happen to just about any of the quarterbacks. Every year, the event is loaded with mystery and surprises, but this one seems to be especially wild. With so many unknowns, let’s take a look at where some of the top prospects could land.
2023 NFL Draft: Where Will the Top Quarterbacks Land?
Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers
With all due respect to Reddit, this is the only obvious choice on the list. Bryce Young is the best quarterback prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft, and the Panthers are going to select him once they’re officially on the clock. For the first time since TJ Watt hit Cam Newton’s shoulder, the Panthers have hope for their franchise.
bryce young tennessee thread: starting w/ this one. already felt like he was QB1, but this level was something else. pic.twitter.com/wPqglfUQP0
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) October 17, 2022
Will Levis – Minnesota Vikings
The second quarterback selected in the NFL Draft is going to be Will Levis, and it’s going to involve a massive trade. The Houston Texans clearly only have eyes for Bryce Young, and the fact the Vikings aren’t really trying to extend Kirk Cousins implies that they’re looking for a different quarterback. In this scenario, the Vikings trade Cousins and their first-round pick to Houston for the rights to select the Kentucky product.
Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
If the Colts want to play it safe, they’ll go with CJ Stroud here. While Stroud has the higher odds of being an ok starter, the Colts need to shoot for upside. Indianapolis shares a division with Trevor Lawrence and a conference with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen. They’re not going to be able to compete for anything without an elite quarterback, and if Anthony Richardson is the only NFL Draft prospect left with that range of outcomes.
Anthony Richardson NFL Draft Profile
C.J. Stroud – Las Vegas Raiders
C.J. Stroud’s fall ends here, as the former favorite for the first-overall pick lands with the Las Vegas Raiders. A Josh McDaniels offense is at its best when they have a quick, accurate thrower getting the ball out on time, and Stroud excels at that aspect of the game. While Jimmy Garoppolo will probably start Week 1, it shouldn’t be long before Stroud wins the starting job.
Hendon Hooker – New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr is a fine short-term answer, but the New Orleans Saints should try to find a potential franchise quarterback in the NFL Draft. Hendon Hooker is a perfect fit here, as the quarterback is coming off an ACL injury and won’t be able to push for the starting job in 2023. Carr’s contract is essentially a two-year deal, so the Hooker can spend 2023 rehabbing and 2024 learning the NFL before taking over in 2025.
Hendon Hooker NFL Draft Profile
Tanner McKee – Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons might trust Desmond Ridder enough to avoid taking a first-round quarterback, but can they really pass up Tanner McKee in the second or third? McKee’s numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, but the quarterback had quite literally the worst supporting cast in the NCAA last year. Much like Justin Herbert, it stands to reason that McKee could improve in a better environment, and the selection provides the Falcons with a safety net in the event Ridder can’t handle starting duties.
Tanner McKee NFL Draft Profile
Tanner McKee, a thread. pic.twitter.com/KPUBKdW544
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) June 20, 2022
Dorian Thompson-Robinson – Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson will be around for the 2023 season, and there appears to be some optimism about coming to terms on a long-term deal. However, even if that happens, the Ravens could still stand to add a quarterback in the NFL Draft. The former MVP has missed 10 games in the past two seasons, and Tyler Huntley didn’t exactly set the world on fire in 2021. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is basically a better version of Tyler Huntley and should be able to do a better job of filling in if Jackson suffers another injury.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson NFL Draft Profile
Main Photo: Gary Cosby Jr. – USA Today Sports
