Within the Market: Grading the touchdown spots of the highest QB prospects within the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft has concluded, and the highest quarterback prospects have came upon what groups they are going to play on. Let’s grade every touchdown spot.

Now we have lastly reached the top of the 2023 prospect cycle. Final Thursday, eyes had been set on Kansas Metropolis because the NFL Draft happened. This 12 months’s version of the draft as normal, was dominated by speak in regards to the quarterback prospects. Contemplating the groups with a necessity for a brand new sign caller, there was intrigue as to the place the highest prospects would land.

All of it started with the Carolina Panthers on the clock first-overall, and within the worst stored secret, they chose Alabama’s Bryce Younger. The draft actually started with the second-overall decide held by the Houston Texans, who shocked the world by taking Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, proving that every one the speak surrounding who they might decide was all smokescreen.

Anthony Richardson, the quarterback with the very best ceiling, was picked fourth-overall by the Indianapolis Colts. Will Levis was the story of the primary night time of the draft, as he fell fully out of the primary spherical, to the shock of many. However, he heard his identify referred to as second on the second day, because the Tennessee Titans traded as much as choose him.

Lastly, Hendon Hooker, the Tennessee quarterback recovering from a torn ACL, wen 68th general by the Detroit Lions.

Now that we all know the place these quarterbacks will probably be enjoying to begin their NFL careers in 2023, are they the precise suits? We’re going to grade all 5 spots.

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Taking Inventory: Grading the touchdown spots for the highest QB prospects within the 2023 NFL Draft

Bryce Younger, No. 1 general, Carolina Panthers

Once more, Younger to the Panthers was not a shocker. This was anticipated to occur within the month previous to the NFL Draft. Carolina traded up a number of draft picks and vast receiver D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears, they usually wanted to get the very best quarterback obtainable to steer their franchise. Positive sufficient, they land the very best sign caller in your complete class in Younger.

Whereas Younger doesn’t have the prototypical construct of an NFL quarterback, he could make the throws and might stand within the pocket confidently to make mentioned passes downfield. He did do fairly properly within the SEC, and has a Heisman Trophy to his credit score.

Younger will be a part of a staff with a training workers consisting of Frank Reich as head coach, Thomas Brown as offensive coordinator, Josh McCown as quarterbacks coach and Jim Caldwell as a senior assistant. To not point out he may have tight finish Hayden Hurts, and vast receivers Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark and rookie Jonathan Mingo to focus on downfield. Oh, and he may have a beginning operating again to lean upon in Miles Sanders.

It is a nice situation for Younger, as he has the items to assist make a direct impression in his rookie 12 months, and doubtlessly assist the Panthers contend for an NFC South title.

Grade: A+

C.J. Stroud, No. 2 general, Houston Texans

Stroud going to Houston was a little bit of a shock, contemplating the entire buzz forward of the NFL Draft. There have been the excessive odds that Levis can be the second-overall decide, the Texans doubtlessly buying and selling out of that spot, to the staff taking Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson over Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. Credit score to the Texans, as a result of they threw everybody off guard and taking the second-best quarterback within the class in Stroud, who possesses essentially the most correct arm of the entire sign callers.

The Texans merely couldn’t run it again with Davis Mills as their QB1 for 2023. Stroud is an instantaneous improve for the staff. Whereas the roster is much from excellent and might be within the operating to be one of many worst coming into the upcoming season, Stroud is the sort of participant who can elevate these round him. Positive, the staff traded away vast receiver Brandin Cooks, however they’ve Robert Woods, John Metchie III, Nico Collins and third-round decide Tank Dell to focus on. It’s fairly a reliable group, alongside tight finish Dalton Schultz.

Make no mistake about it, the Texans completely made the precise decide with Stroud.

Grade: A

Anthony Richardson, No. 4 general, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts had been anticipating to face this example — having Younger and Stroud off the board. However heading into the primary night time of the draft, there was a lot buzz that the Colts most popular Levis over Richardson, even receiving a thumbs up of approval for Levis from former quarterback Peyton Manning. However, the Colts picked the sign caller with the very best upside in Richardson out of Florida.

Richardson didn’t have a lot beginning expertise enjoying for the Gators, and it confirmed at factors all through this previous season. Nevertheless, there have been flashes of greatness from Richardson, whether or not that was his throws downfield or his capability to increase performs together with his legs. To not point out that Richardson’s vast receivers at Florida didn’t essentially assist him out a lot with drops. However with the precise teaching on the NFL degree, he may very properly change into the most effective quarterbacks within the league.

He joins a Colts staff that has Shane Steichen as head coach. Steichen made a reputation for himself for his work as Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, the place he helped develop Jalen Hurts. This previous season, Hurts was almost unattainable for opposing defenses to cease, whether or not it was by the air or on the bottom. Colts followers are salivating what Steichen can scheme up for Richardson, who may have operating again Jonathan Taylor and vast receivers Michael Pittman and Josh Downs to lean upon.

Now, we wait to see if Richardson will really begin early within the 2023 season. Sure, the upside is unreal, however there may be work to be executed to develop him.

Grade: B+

Will Levis, No. 33 general, Tennessee Titans

Levis was anticipated to be chosen within the first spherical, which was why he attended the occasion in Kansas Metropolis. After that wasn’t the case, he flew again house to Connecticut together with his household. He didn’t wait too lengthy for his identify to be referred to as, because the Titans moved as much as the No. 33 decide to take Levis.

With regards to Levis, he was a polarizing prospect. He has the peak and weight that groups like of their quarterbacks, and expertise in a pro-style offense. However, he had an underwhelming season in 2022, highlighted by accidents. But, it felt like a on condition that Levis can be taken within the first 31 choices, which might give him a four-year contract with a fifth-year choice.

With regards to the touchdown spot, it’s not precisely superb. Final 12 months, the staff traded away A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles, and their passing offense took a success. Normal supervisor Ran Carthon is retooling the roster, particularly throughout the offensive line. However, the staff’s vast receiving corps seems fairly weak, with Treylon Burks being the plain WR1 on the depth chart.

There’s a plus to this, and it’s that Levis gained’t be thrown to the wolves straight away. He can study the playbook and sit behind Ryan Tannehill. In fact, that might change if the staff decides to commerce Tannehill earlier than turning into a free agent subsequent offseason.

Grade: B-

Hendon Hooker, No. 68, Detroit Lions

Hooker acquired a bump in draft inventory because the occasion obtained nearer. The week of, his physician despatched a letter to all groups that he’s on observe to be cleared by the primary weekend of the 2023 season after struggling a torn ACL final November. But, that didn’t end in a first-round choice like many had anticipated, particularly with that additional 12 months of management. It didn’t even result in the Tennessee quarterback being taken within the second spherical.

However the third spherical was one other story. With the 68th general decide, the Lions chosen Hooker, and it could have been one among his absolute best touchdown spots.

The Lions are able the place they’re set to contend for a playoff spot, and Jared Goff is main the way in which. Goff was trending in direction of “bust” territory, however he rebounded since his commerce to Detroit, particularly final season. So, this can enable Hooker to get acclimated to the staff’s offense. There gained’t be a rush to throw him onto the sphere.

If Hooker does get a shot to minimize the street and he performs like he did final season with the Volunteers, the Lions will probably be in fine condition. However as of proper now, the Lions are going to be pushing with a playoff spot in 2023 with Goff because the starter underneath middle.

Grade: B