NFL News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Nov 26, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) holds up the Governor s Cup trophy after winning the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Kroger Field. Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Three potential QB options for Raiders in 2023 NFL Draft

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 12/29/22

On Wednesday, Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels announced the benching of Derek Carr for the remainder of the season. According to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez, Carr and the team mutually agreed he would leave the team for the remainder of the season.

With Carr's return to the Raiders unlikely in 2023 and no viable starting quarterback on the roster, Las Vegas may pick a QB early in the 2023 NFL Draft. Per Tankathon, the Raiders currently have the ninth pick, within range to select a future franchise QB.

Here are potential options in the draft:

Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

The Raiders may have interest in Richardson. ESPN's Pete Thamel spotted Las Vegas general manager Dave Ziegler scouting him at the Florida-Tennessee game in September.

Richardson is intriguing, but he's the classic boom-or-bust prospect. In 12 starts this season, he threw for only 17 touchdowns and completed 53.8 percent of his pass attempts. However, a team might be willing to risk selecting him because he has elite physical gifts.

Florida QB Anthony Richardson runs it in for a 45 yard rushing touchdown @GatorsOnline

Gators lead 14-13 over Utah pic.twitter.com/ZxK2bktzWk
— On3 (@On3sports) September 4, 2022

"Richardson's physical traits are excellent too, including elite mobility, great size (6-foot-4 and 232 pounds) and a rocket arm," ESPN draft expert Todd McShay wrote.

Bills QB Josh Allen had a low completion percentage at Wyoming (56.2 percent), but he has become a star. Perhaps Richardson will, too.

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Levis is the prototype for a modern NFL QB -- big (231 pounds) and tall (6-foot-3) with a strong arm.

WILL LEVIS AIRED IT OUT TO GIVE KENTUCKY SIX ✈️ pic.twitter.com/ARstsewT5Q
— ESPN (@espn) September 11, 2022

"Levis is a pure tools projection. He possesses the best combination of size and arm strength in this year's draft class," Pro Football Focus' Mike Renner wrote.

Levis had solid numbers, too, posting the fourth-highest passer rating in the SEC. However, Renner said Levis must improve his, "accuracy." Because Levis plays in a pro-style offense, he may be able to quickly pick up an NFL offense.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Stroud was a statistical marvel at Ohio State, posting the highest passer rating (176.2) in the nation in 2022. In two seasons as a starter, he threw for 81 touchdowns and made two trips to New York as a Heisman finalist.

CJ Stroud with a DIME to Marvin Harrison Jr pic.twitter.com/WdcPk1QBA5
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 26, 2022

Stroud led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl title last season and a College Football Playoff appearance this year. Raiders fans should watch how he plays against an excellent Georgia defense in the CFP semifinals.

"He is quite simply a fantastic passer. He can be a little too rigid in the pocket. Still, I see Stroud as a rookie starter," wrote Kiper Jr.

More must-reads: