2023 NFL Draft Prospects: Quarterback

4/18/23: Young did not work out at the combine, but he did interview with teams, and sources said he did well in the interviews. The Alabama pro day went well for Young as well. In 2022, Young completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also picked up four touchdowns on the ground.

As a passer, Young is superb and very advanced. He has excellent instincts and feel. With impressive intelligence, Young knows where all his receivers and check-down options are, and that makes him very dangerous at working all levels of the field. He is an accurate passer who will lace some beautiful passes into tight windows to beat good coverage. With timing and precision, Young does a superb job of hitting his receivers on the run and leading them to rack up lots of yards after the catch. Many college quarterbacks lack Young’s confidence to throw into tight windows, much less his skill at doing it successfuly. He is an astute and dangerous point guard who can distribute the ball to rip up a defense.

Young’s accuracy in the short to intermediate part of the field is high, and he retains excellent ball placement when he throws deep. While Young does not have an elite cannon like a Josh Allen, he has a capable arm that can make all the throws required. Even though Young is short, he sees the field well, and his knowledge of where his receivers will be leads to him doing a good job of finding the open target.

While Young is looking to pass the ball, he is a good athlete who offers mobility and escapability. Young does a nice job of climbing the pocket, keeping his eyes downfield while getting pressured, and throws well on the run. When plays break down, Young can run for yardage to move the chains, but he wisely looks to throw while scrambling. With his mobility and feet to run around, Young is capable to make plays off script and ad lib to create big plays.

The only real knock on Young is his size. Team sources feel that if Young were 6-foot-1, he would be a no-doubt, slam dunk No. 1-overall pick. While he is short, his smaller build is more alarming, and NFL team sources have concerns about Young holding up when it comes to taking hits from pro defenders.

7/19/22: Young took over as Alabama’s starting quarterback in 2021 and created a lot of excitement in the scouting community. Some sources with college teams believed he could end up being a better college quarterback than Tua Tagovailoa or Mac Jones. Some NFL sources said Young’s skill set and style of play reminded them of Kyler Murray’s. In 2021, Young completed 67 percent of his passes for 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns and seven interceptions. While he won the popularity contest known as the Heisman Trophy, Young came up short of a National Championship with a loss to Georgia.

4/18/23: Stroud put on a superb workout at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, showing serious arm talent with great accuracy, velocity and timing. In 2022, Stroud completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. Stroud has serious passing talent with a strong arm and a polished skill set.

The most important trait for any NFL quarterback is accuracy, which Stroud has. He shows very good precision with his ball placement, leading his receivers to make receptions and hitting them on the run to produce big gains after the catch. Stroud will drop passes in some tight windows and beat defenses with his ability to thread a needle. While Stroud could stand to put more air underneath some passes, he throws a very catchable ball for his wideouts in general.

Mentally, Stroud is advanced and flashes some anticipatory throws. He has room for growth, but the potential is there. Stroud is very composed in the pocket and stands tall. He does not get rattled by the rush. With defenders bearing down on him, Stroud keeps his eyes downfield and will step into a hit to complete passes to his receiver.

Stroud has some functional mobility, and he can use his feet to buy time. While Stroud is not a statue in the pocket, he does not present a dangerous running threat. After escaping pressure, Stroud keeps his eyes downfield and looks to get rid of the ball while not showing any fear of getting hit. He is not inclined to run a lot, and in the NFL, he could help himself to be a little more aggressive on third-and-manageable to pick up first downs with his feet when nothing is open. The biggest knock on Stroud from NFL team sources is that he does not use his feet enough to make plays when he has that ability. Stroud seems to want to just operate as a pocket passer. In his final game, against Georgia, however, he made some impressive plays in terms of buying time with his feet and making big throws off schedule.

7/19/22: Stroud is a highly talented dual-threat quarterback who could end up as a first-round pick – and perhaps at the top of Round 1. He won Ohio State’s starting quarterback position for 2021, following Justin Fields’ departure to the NFL. Stroud then completed 72 percent of his passes on the year for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns and six interceptions. He was a dominant passer, showing good accuracy and the ability to push the ball vertically.

4/18/23: At the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Richardson put together an electric workout that included a fast 40 and showed off his powerful arm. He played really well to open 2022, leading the Gators to upset Utah. As good as Richardson was against the Utes, he was horrible against Kentucky, costing Florida the game with two horrible interceptions. Richardson then struggled against South Florida, with the Gators barely beating a bad Bulls team at home. Richardson rebounded by throwing for 453 yards against Tennessee, and he had a mixed outing versus LSU that featured a beautiful bomb of a touchdown pass and a highlight-reel 81-yard touchdown run, but also some painful inaccuracy. He struggled against Georgia and Florida State late in the season.

Richardson completed 54 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. On the ground, he rumbled for 629 yards and nine touchdowns. Richardson is very inaccurate as a passer and definitely should have gone back to Florida to improve rather than enter the 2023 NFL Draft. However, he probably will go high in the first round as there are a lot of teams desperate for a quarterback. Richardson is currently the consensus third-rated signal-caller, but he has the best skill set and most upside of any of these quarterbacks. Some sources say that Richardson is more physically talented than Josh Allen and other top quarterbacks in the NFL.

7/19/22: Richardson has an amazing skill set, which he has put on display in 2021, completing 38-of-64 passes for 529 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. Richardson also was a dynamic runner with three touchdowns on the ground. Emory Jones was the starter because Richardson dealt with injuries and the former Gators coaching staff had more trust in Jones.

Richardson has a cannon for an arm, speed as a runner, and the size and strength to run through defenders. From a physical standpoint, Richardson has a similar skill set to Cam Newton’s. Richardson needs to get better at making the routine throws. He also has to improve in terms of reading the field, throwing to the right receiver, and taking the short completions. With his immense physical upside, Richardson could explode in 2022.

4/18/23: Levis had solid showings at the combine and his pro day, but those environments – throwing against air – do not reflect Levis making any progress on his weaknesses. He is prone to interceptions, holds the ball way too long, takes bad sacks, and routinely makes bad decisions that hurt his team in pressure situations. Teams feel that Levis has a crippling lack of instincts as a passer. However, Levis has good traits like a powerful arm, size, athleticism and toughness. His 2022 tape was not first-round worthy, but his traits and intangibles could cause him to go in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. However of the first-round candidates, Levis might be the player who has the most potential for a long slide during the draft.

Levis completed 65 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. After the season, he announced he was skipping the bowl game to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

7/19/22: Levis has an absolute cannon for an arm and was very impressive in 2021, his debut season with Kentucky. On the year, he completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,826 yards, 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He added nine touchdowns on the ground as well.

Levis has serious arm talent, possessing the ability to pass deep downfield and throw lasers into tight windows. In 2022, Levis needs to cut down on the interceptions and get the ball out faster to avoid sacks. Levis started out his collegiate career at Penn State before transferring to Kentucky.

4/18/23: Hooker completed 70 percent of his passes during his 2022 season for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. He also recorded 430 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Hooker tore an ACL in the penultimate game of the regular season, and that injury could cost him part of, or all of, his rookie season in the NFL.

Hooker played well against Florida and LSU, leading Tennessee to some big wins. He was phenomenal versus Alabama, leading the Volunteers to a legendary victory. Hooker has quality arm talent and running ability, but he needs development with field vision, reading defenses, and being a polished pocket passer for the NFL.

7/19/22: Hooker broke out in 2021, flashing some ability while completing 68 percent of his passes for 2,945 yards, 31 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Virginia Tech transfer also ran for 620 yards and five touchdowns. If Hooker becomes a more polished pocket passer, he could be a riser for the 2023 NFL Draft.

4/18/23: While Stanford struggled in 2022, McKee impressed some NFL evaluators. He possesses excellent size to go along with a strong arm capable of firing the ball downfield, plus he shows nice loft on touch passes. In 2022, McKee completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,947 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In 2021, he completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,327 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven picks.

4/18/23: At the Senior Bowl, Cunningham was not bad, but he did not have a dominant week of practice. He also suffered an injury in the actual game. Cunningham looks like a mid-rounder who could be a Tyler Huntley-caliber backup with upside for the NFL.

Cunningham completed 62 percent of his passes in 2022 for 1,568 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. On the ground, he ran for 565 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cunningham then decided to skip the bowl game and begin preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft. Cunningham played well enough over the previous three seasons to get the attention of NFL scouts for Fall 2022. In 2021, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,941 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. That season, he also ran for 1,031 yards and 20 touchdowns. Cunningham was solid in both 2020 and 2019 as well.

4/18/23: Hall completed 66 percent of his passes in 2022 for 3,171 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also caught a touchdown pass against Baylor. Hall played well against Oregon, Wyoming, and Utah State, but he struggled against Notre Dame and was terrible against Liberty.

Hall has an average arm with mobility, athleticism, and accurate passing. However, he could stand to work on ball placement to lead his receivers for more yardage after the catch. Team sources said they were disappointed in his 2022 tape, and he did not help himself at the Senior Bowl or at the combine. They view him as a backup with some upside.

7/19/22: Hall replaced Zach Wilson as the BYU starter and had a quality debut in 2021, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,583 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Hall is not a big quarterback, but he has some running ability and mobility to go with passing talent. Hall uses his feet to big plays and is a threat to turn something out of nothing with excellent off-script ability. Hall could be a real riser for the 2023 NFL Draft.

4/18/23: In 2022, Duggan completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,698 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also picked up 423 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Duggan did not help himself at the Senior Bowl.

Team sources say Duggan is exceptionally smart and tough. He has a better arm than people credit him for, advanced processing speed, quality athleticism and surprising speed as a runner. Duggan, as scouts expected, ran a sub-4.6 40 at the combine, which is a fast time for a quarterback. In the red zone, Duggan is very dangerous with his legs. However, sources note they feel Duggan does not have an elite trait as a thrower or runner beyond his toughness. Some sources believe Duggan could develop into a starter in the NFL, but other team evaluators think he is a backup quarterback with a skill set and playing style similar to that of Sam Ehlinger or Tim Tebow.

4/18/23: O’Connell completed 64 percent of his passes in 2022 for 3,490 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He missed the contest against Florida Atlantic with an undisclosed injury. O’Connell decided to skip Purdue’s bowl game to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

O’Connell has a nice arm, but team sources see a lot of problems with him for the NFL. They note that his accuracy is all over the place and say he throws into coverage constantly. O’Connell also is not a good athlete or gifted runner. Hence, he might be more of a third-day prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft.

7/19/22: O’Connell was one of the Big Ten’s better quarterbacks in 2021, completing 72 percent of his passes for 3,712 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. O’Connell is a nice college quarterback, but he faces physical limitations for the NFL.

4/18/23: Thompson-Robinson played well for UCLA in 2022, completing 70 percent of his passes for 3,154 yards, 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also did damage on the ground with 12 touchdowns. In 2021, Thompson-Robinson completed 62 percent of his throws for 2,409 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has backup potential, but he will need to improve as a pocket passer. Thompson-Robinson had a strong showing at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine that included an impressive session throwing the ball.

4/18/23: Haener completed 72 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,896 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. He missed most of October because of an injury. Haener had a solid week at Senior Bowl and showed backup potential for the NFL.

7/19/22: Haener put some big numbers for the Bulldogs in 2021, completing 68 percent of his passes for 4,096 yards, 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In the shortened 2020 season, he had a respectable debut, hitting on 65 percent of his passes for 2,021 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. Haener lacks size, but he shows enough passing ability to have earned a spot on NFL teams’ preseason watch list.

4/18/23: Bennett guided the Bulldogs to back-to-back National Championships and was a very good college game-manager. With a dominant defense and reliable running game, Bennett did not have to carry Georgia to wins. In 2022, he completed 68 percent of his passes for 4,127 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He connected on 65 percent of his throws for 2,862 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven picks in 2021.

Bennett lacks NFL size, but he could be a backup candidate. Team sources have said character concerns will cause Bennett to slide late into the 2023 NFL Draft.

4/18/23: Tune enjoyed an excellent senior year, racking up a lot of production and putting up a lot of points for the Cougars. In 2022, he completed 67 percent of his passes for 4,061 yards, 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has enough size and will enter the next level with a lot of starting experience because he broke into the starting lineup during the 2019 season. Tune played well in 2021 too, completing 68 percent of his passes for 3,546 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Some team sources have said they are not high on Tune. He did not impress at the Senior Bowl.

4/18/23: Martinez is a running quarterback who flashed some passing ability from time to time. He had a solid debut for Nebraska in 2018, completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,617 yards with 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Martinez, however, never built on that performance as a passer, although he managed to flash some in limited time with Kansas State during 2022. Martinez could be a late-round or undrafted sleeper with backup potential.

4/18/23: Clifford was a capable college quarterback, but hr looks like a third-string caliber quarterback for the NFL. Clifford had quality receiving talent at Penn State, but he never developed as a pocket passer. His accuracy in 2021 was especially bad and really held back the production of Jahan Dotson. That season, Clifford completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,107 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He showed some improvement in 2022, connecting on 64 percent of his passes for 2,822 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

4/18/23: McCall completed 70 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,700 yards, 24 touchdowns and two interceptions.

7/19/22: McCall played well for the Chanticleers in 2021, completing 73 percent of his passes for 2,873 yards, 27 touchdowns and three interceptions. He had a good season in 2020 as well, connecting on 69 percent of his passes for 2,488 yards, 26 touchdowns and three interceptions.

4/18/23: Bonner was superb in 2021, completing 61 percent of his passes for 3,628 yards, 36 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was injured for a lot of 2022, but he has sufficient arm talent to be a late-round sleeper in the 2023 NFL Draft.

4/18/23: Bagent earned a spot at the Senior Bowl, which was a big accomplishment for a small-school passer. However, he struggled with his accuracy and mechanics in Mobile. In 2022, Bagent totaled 4,580 yards, 41 touchdowns and eight interceptions, dominating his weaker competition.