Post by Purple Pain on Jan 23, 2023 8:23:23 GMT -6
The Draft Scout - 2023 NFL Draft: Stacking the Quarterbacks
1. Bryce Young, Alabama
The top quarterback in the 2023 class, if Young were bigger than his 6’0” and 195 pound frame we’d be talking about a truly special prospect. Young, if he were 6’2”, is a lot closer to Joe Burrow than people realize. His poise, accuracy, field vision and ability to escape muddy pockets makes him perfect for today’s NFL. And despite his size, he’s got an arm that can stretch the field.
2. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
“Scout the player, not the helmet” is what a smart man once told me. That’s the case with Stroud, who will have to answer questions about what the Ohio State coaches put in front of him and the talent around him. He can’t control that, though. What he can control is the best accuracy in the class to all levels of the field and an arm good enough to compete in the pros.
3. Will Levis, Kentucky
The comparisons to Josh Allen miss the mark, like a lot of Levis’ passes, but he does have intriguing arm talent, mobility and size. Levis just throws too many interceptions. Can that be coached out? If so, he has high-end Matthew Stafford ability. But there’s a lot more Carson Wentz than Stafford or Allen here.
4. Anthony Richardson, Florida
Like Levis, Richardson is loaded with high-end traits that make you think that with some seasoning he could become the filet mignon of the draft class. Richardson is an elite athlete at the position with a huge arm and legit running ability. His accuracy needs a lot of work, but he’s started just over one season of football and has tons of room for growth. The key is that he’s not ready in 2023. He needs to marinate.
5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
A late-season ACL injury hurt Hooker’s draft stock after a fantastic start to his senior season. The former Virginia Tech quarterback was awesome once he settled in at Tennessee and has the best deep ball in the group. He’s already 24, though, and this season could be a redshirt year. That’ll push him down the board.
6. Tanner McKee, Stanford
Some people (i.e. twitter scouts) love McKee, but I don’t see it. He’s an average passer and has almost no pocket mobility. In a deeper quarterback class we’d be talking about how bad his decision to leave Stanford early was. McKee has a solid arm but the lack of mobility gives Mike Glennon vibes.
7. Jaren Hall, BYU
Hall is an older prospect but one who has good mobility and a live arm. He’ll get a chance at the Senior Bowl to wow scouts, as he’s our top-ranked passer attending in Mobile with Will Levis mum on his intentions. Hall can scoot and he can throw on the run. Watch to see if he jumps up the board.
8. Jake Haener, Fresno State
If graded on toughness alone, Haener would be the top-ranked quarterback in the class. He’s a gritty passer with nice touch accuracy but he lacks high-end arm talent and athleticism. If that sounds like Gardner Minshew to you, you’re pretty close to what Haener looked like at Fresno.
9. Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
The top quarterback committed to the Shrine Game, O’Connell was productive at Purdue with a good group of receivers around him. The former walk on throws with good accuracy and touch and sets his guys up for YAC in a big way. He’s a discount Bailey Zappe-like guy.
10. Tyson Bagent, Shepherd
A Senior Bowl invite, Bagent had tons of production at Shepherd and was a record-setting passer. He’ll have a chance against the big boys in Mobile to prove he belongs. Scouts we’ve talked to say he is a draftable quarterback and future backup.
The top quarterback in the 2023 class, if Young were bigger than his 6’0” and 195 pound frame we’d be talking about a truly special prospect. Young, if he were 6’2”, is a lot closer to Joe Burrow than people realize. His poise, accuracy, field vision and ability to escape muddy pockets makes him perfect for today’s NFL. And despite his size, he’s got an arm that can stretch the field.
2. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
“Scout the player, not the helmet” is what a smart man once told me. That’s the case with Stroud, who will have to answer questions about what the Ohio State coaches put in front of him and the talent around him. He can’t control that, though. What he can control is the best accuracy in the class to all levels of the field and an arm good enough to compete in the pros.
3. Will Levis, Kentucky
The comparisons to Josh Allen miss the mark, like a lot of Levis’ passes, but he does have intriguing arm talent, mobility and size. Levis just throws too many interceptions. Can that be coached out? If so, he has high-end Matthew Stafford ability. But there’s a lot more Carson Wentz than Stafford or Allen here.
4. Anthony Richardson, Florida
Like Levis, Richardson is loaded with high-end traits that make you think that with some seasoning he could become the filet mignon of the draft class. Richardson is an elite athlete at the position with a huge arm and legit running ability. His accuracy needs a lot of work, but he’s started just over one season of football and has tons of room for growth. The key is that he’s not ready in 2023. He needs to marinate.
5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
A late-season ACL injury hurt Hooker’s draft stock after a fantastic start to his senior season. The former Virginia Tech quarterback was awesome once he settled in at Tennessee and has the best deep ball in the group. He’s already 24, though, and this season could be a redshirt year. That’ll push him down the board.
6. Tanner McKee, Stanford
Some people (i.e. twitter scouts) love McKee, but I don’t see it. He’s an average passer and has almost no pocket mobility. In a deeper quarterback class we’d be talking about how bad his decision to leave Stanford early was. McKee has a solid arm but the lack of mobility gives Mike Glennon vibes.
7. Jaren Hall, BYU
Hall is an older prospect but one who has good mobility and a live arm. He’ll get a chance at the Senior Bowl to wow scouts, as he’s our top-ranked passer attending in Mobile with Will Levis mum on his intentions. Hall can scoot and he can throw on the run. Watch to see if he jumps up the board.
8. Jake Haener, Fresno State
If graded on toughness alone, Haener would be the top-ranked quarterback in the class. He’s a gritty passer with nice touch accuracy but he lacks high-end arm talent and athleticism. If that sounds like Gardner Minshew to you, you’re pretty close to what Haener looked like at Fresno.
9. Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
The top quarterback committed to the Shrine Game, O’Connell was productive at Purdue with a good group of receivers around him. The former walk on throws with good accuracy and touch and sets his guys up for YAC in a big way. He’s a discount Bailey Zappe-like guy.
10. Tyson Bagent, Shepherd
A Senior Bowl invite, Bagent had tons of production at Shepherd and was a record-setting passer. He’ll have a chance against the big boys in Mobile to prove he belongs. Scouts we’ve talked to say he is a draftable quarterback and future backup.
... and neither is this Chris guy.