QB Rankings Following 2023 NFL Combine

Evaluation of the 2023 quarterback draft class.

The 2023 NFL Combine is in the books, so I figured it would be a good time to unleash my initial rankings of this year's quarterbacks class. Let's not waste any more time. Let's jump right in. 

1. C.J. Stroud (Ohio State)

Stroud has been QB1 for me for quite some time and his showing at the combine only gives me more confidence in that. He's mechanically sound and has really good touch on his downfield throws. Extremely accurate and has consistent arm action. He's the only sure bet in this draft at this position.

2. Bryce Young (Alabama)

There's a big drop off in this class after Stroud, in my opinion. Yes, Young has an extremely talented arm and is a true threat with his legs, but the size worries me to death. If I were a QB-needy team outside of the top-five, I wouldn't make a trade to go up and grab him. There's too much risk here. He could turn out to be a top-level quarterback in the league, but I see him being more of a middle of the pack kind of guy and that's just not something you give up a haul of picks for.

3. Anthony Richardson (Florida)

I had a really hard time trying to figure out where exactly to put Richardson on this list. And I feel NFL GMs are going to have the same issue when it comes to assembling their draft boards. The potential is through the roof and if he can work through the inconsistencies, he's going to be an absolute stud. This is the definition of a boom or bust talent. And no, I don't care that he had a vertical jump of 40.5 inches. What does that tell me about him as a quarterback? Absolutely nothing. The fact that we have quarterbacks doing that drill is silly. That said, I do respect the athleticism that he has and I do believe it will help him be a success in the NFL.

4. Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)

The knee injury is a bit of a concern along with his age (25), but I do see a path for Hooker to be a starter in the league at some point. It just might not be right away. He reminds me a lot of Geno Smith when he came out of West Virginia and I think he could have a similar impact in the NFL that Geno had this past season with the Seahawks. 

5. Will Levis (Kentucky)

The arm talent is legit. A cannon indeed. However, that doesn't have me sold on his ability to be a face of an NFL franchise. He puts the ball in harms way too often and it reflects in his interception numbers. In his two full years as a starter, he threw 23 interceptions, many of which were forced. He gets stuck on his primary read and has a tendency to stay to one side of the field. If he goes to the right situation and can work out some of those kinks, he can certainly be a respectable starter in the league. 

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