With the 2023 NFL Combine just a few weeks away, it’s time for us here at NFL Draft Lounge to start releasing our position rankings. First up, is one of the more popular positions in the NFL – quarterbacks.
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1. CJ Stroud – Ohio State
Heading into the 2023 NFL Combine, I have the former Buckeye at the top of my quarterback rankings. Stroud burst onto the scene last year, taking over starting duties from Justin Fields. He had a tremendous season that saw him throw for over 4,400 yards and a completion percentage of 71.9.
This season, CJ Stroud took a bit of a step back, although he still finished with a 41-6 TD-Interception ratio, as well as 3,600 passing yards.
On my 2023 NFL Draft Big Board Top 200 Prospect Rankings, I have three quarterbacks with a first-round grade. However, there are two prospects in the top tier, and CJ Stroud has held firm at the top of that tier for me.
2. Bryce Young – Alabama
While the 2022 college football season wasn’t one that contained many highs for the University of Alabama, it was a very good one for Bryce Young. The Crimson Tide quarterback finished with a 32-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. There are some concerns about what his size will be at the NFL Combine in March. However, I have both CJ Stroud and Bryce Young as 1A and 1B in this draft class.
The most likely outcome for these two, in my opinion, is that a team will trade with the Chicago Bears to select a quarterback. Meanwhile, the other is likely to be selected by the Houston Texans.
3. Will Levis – Kentucky
Quite frankly, Kentucky’s Will Levis is an interesting prospect. He has the tools and skillsets that warrant a top five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Furthermore, I think that alone is why he’s so high in our 2023 NFL Draft quarterback position rankings.
When it comes to game film, it’s less than stellar for Levis. I wanted to see an increase in production, as well as growth, from Levis in 2022. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. He had a less-than-creative offensive coordinator last season, which can be attributed to some of his woes. However, at the end of the day, it falls on the quarterback.
Regardless, Will Levis is going to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft based on who he will become, not who he has been on film. I have doubts about his abilities to be pro-ready on day one in the NFL. Despite this, I still have him listed as our third overall quarterback.
4. Anthony Richardson – Florida
Of all the quarterbacks on this list, Anthony Richardson has the least amount of experience as a starting quarterback. However, he’s also the best pure-athlete at the top tier of these 2023 NFL Draft quarterback rankings.
I believe that there’s an outside shot that Richardson could come off the draft board as a first-round selection. He has a high ceiling as a quarterback in the NFL. The combination of speed, as well as accurate throws, are enough to keep him as high as he is.
As we gear up for the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, I have Anthony Richardson pegged as one of the prospects that will turn heads. His athleticism should be on full display, especially if he fully participates. That alone, by the way, could be enough to solidify his draft stock as a day one selection.
5. Hendon Hooker – Tennessee
The 2022 college football season ended prematurely for Hendon Hooker following a knee injury against South Carolina. Due to the injury, Hooker won’t be a participant in on-field drills at the 2023 NFL Combine. However, the biggest test for him that week will be the medical evaluation process.
If there isn’t anything found during the process, he’s likely to be a day two NFL Draft selection. If that’s the case, he could end up in a very stable situation for his development. A team like Washington, with new assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, would make a lot of sense.
6. Tanner McKee – Stanford
Through two years at Stanford, Tanner McKee had a very solid collegiate career. The stats don’t jump off the screen, but the film is solid. In my opinion, McKee might be the safest option of those outside the first-round on our 2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings list.
My guess for Tanner McKee is that he is a backup early in his career. However, he has the abilities to develop into an eventual NFL starter. He’s been in a pro-style of offense at Stanford, which will also aid in his development.
7. Jake Haener – Fresno State
Coming into the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl, Executive Director of the Senior Bowl Jim Nagy addressed the quarterback position.
“The cool thing about this group is that they’re all bunched in that 4th, 5th round range,” he said. Of the group of quarterbacks that the Senior Bowl had, Jake Haener was the best looking one. In fact, Haener was named the Reese’s Senior Bowl MVP.
Prior to the start of the 2022 college football season, Haener entered the transfer portal as he considered his options. It ended with the quarterback apologizing for entering the portal, along with the announcement that he would return to Fresno State. I thought the transfer portal was a good move for Jake Haener, although it remains unclear what his options were.
8. Aidan O’Connell – Purdue
One of the more underrated quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class is Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell. In fact, many in the NFL have a third-round grade on O’Connell, with the belief that he can raise his stock at the NFL Combine. I’m not sure if that’s necessarily the case, but I do believe that there are some traits and abilities woven into his game that NFL coaches will love.
Per PFF, O’Connell has a 2.45 career release time, which is quite impressive. When paired with his poise in the pocket, as well as his confidence and experience, it’s easy to put him on this list of 2023 NFL Draft quarterback prospect rankings.
9. Max Duggan – TCU
Entering the 2022 college football season, Max Duggan wasn’t the guaranteed to be the starter for the Horned Frogs. However, he came into camp and was able to win the job for new head coach Sonny Dykes.
Duggan’s 2022 season was the best of his career, throwing for nearly 3,700 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Additionally, Duggan was able to lead TCU into the College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia.
He had a solid week at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl leading the American Team. However, despite the success at TCU, Duggan wasn’t able to set himself apart from the rest of the group. As a result, I have him ranked ninth in our rankings.
10. Tyson Bagent – Shepherd
Of all the quarterbacks on this list, we have the least amount of film on Tyson Bagent. Despite this, Bagent came into the Senior Bowl week and looked to be in command of the offense.
During the media breakfast in Mobile, Bagent spoke about how important it is to have command on the offense and being fluent and efficient in verbiage. I heard from many that the former Shepherd QB nailed this aspect all week long.
I think he’s likely to be a late-round draft selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, if he can get into a training camp and showcase his throwing skills, he could find his way onto a 53-man roster or practice squad.
11. Clayton Tune – Houston
During his five seasons at the University of Houston, Clayton Tune amassed nearly 12,000 passing yards and 104 touchdowns. Of the Senior Bowl quarterbacks on this list, I thought Tune had the worst week of them all. He missed on some throws and failed to pull the trigger on others.
I have an undrafted grade on Clayton Tune. However, he could rebound at the NFL Combine to improve his draft stock.
12. Stetson Bennett IV – Georgia
Over the last two seasons, there hasn’t been a more successful quarterback than Georgia’s Stetson Bennett. He’s led the Bulldogs to repeat National Championships in the College Football Playoff.
However, there are a lot of concerns about Stetson Bennett in the NFL. First off, is his size. He’s likely to measure in at the NFL Combine with a height less than 5’11. Similarly to Alabama’s Bryce Young, his playing weight should become a concern as well.
Last month, Bennett was arrested on a public intoxication charge in Dallas, where he’s currently training for the NFL Combine. Given that he opted out of participating in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, only to be arrested a few days later, it was a bad look in the eyes of NFL decision makers. Given that, I have an undrafted grade on him in this 2023 NFL Draft quarterback rankings list.
