2023 NFL Draft: The Uneven Quarterback Class

While selecting an NFL franchise quarterback from the draft remains difficult, the process, to outsiders is a rather exciting endeavor.

With the NFL Draft still months away, fans begin to sort out the prospective draft picks. Now, this isn’t going to be the standard, cliche-laden analysis. Instead, you will read these thoughts based on extensive film study, stat analysis, and gut feeling

Most NFL Ready Quarterback (C.J. Stroud)

If you stand in the pocket against the Georgia Bulldogs’ defense, delivering four touchdowns, you look ready for Sunday. Additionally, if you look at the technical aspect of Stroud’s game, you see workable tools. Granted, he will not burst by linebackers on a run, but enough mobility exists to modify the pocket, and throwing lanes and allow for a little more time for the receivers to create separation. In like manner, NFL coaches appreciate Stroud’s patience and poise. Now, that isn’t to say he doesn’t need to occasionally test a defense. Stroud fits in an array of NFL offenses because of his ability to target at all three levels. Not to mention, his uncanny knack to repeat his throwing motion.

The First Pick

For all of Stroud’s talent, no quarterback in this draft class is better than Alabama’s Bryce Young. If you take away the dazzling athletic palette and pinpoint accuracy, based on his high-level football IQ would still make him the best passer in this draft. Young’s brain outweighs concerns about his frame. You can see it during the last year at Alabama. Cursed with a porous offensive line and middling wideout play, Young willed Bama to victories. Despite an offense filled with five-star talent, you saw a legitimate struggle. Young’s arm, legs, and mind place him ahead of the similarly-built quarterback. Without equivocation, someone will draft him first overall.

The Severely Unpolished

Florida’s Anthony Richardson brings size, arm strength, and speed better than any quarterback in this draft class. Now, where his early draft selection could get a general manager fired would be impatience. Richardson does not possess NFL-caliber accuracy or the ability to read a defense right now. Opponents will patiently await the mistake, the airmailed short pass. If a team wants Richardson to lead their franchise, two things must happen. First, sign a veteran quarterback to a two-year deal. Next, hire a strict quarterback coach, someone to give Richardson something that he desperately lacks: discipline. Stop catering and coddling. Sit him down and make drill the flaws out.

The Outsider

Few people are actively discussing Stanford QB Tanner McKee. I know the easy comparison would be Justin Herbert based on the frame. Granted, McKee boasts a cannon-like arm, nimble feet, and the ability to find wideouts. However, any comparison to an excellent NFL quarterback feels immature. One advantage McKee owns is the ability to thrive in an archaic offensive scheme that wanted to run the ball all day. As a result, McKee needed to thrive under the arduous circumstance. With a grade that appears to fall from the mid-first to mid-second round, McKee will solve an NFL team’s issues.

Veteran Rookies

Now, on balance, NFL teams love game experience in rookies. Jaren Hall and Hendon Hooker possess that trait in spades. Yet, questions arise about too much experience. Both Hooker and Hall will be twenty-five before the season starts. Provided that each can easily adapt to the rigors of the NFL sooner than later, age becomes irrelevant. Meanwhile, people ignore the obvious about both. Each quarterback owns a strong arm with enough agility to prolong plays and complete players at all three levels.