This class may prove to be another underwhelming one like last year. While there seems to be more top-end talent than last year, a scenario may arise where multiple teams pass on the position this year in hopes of landing one of the top prospects next year. That being said, there are still multiple quarterbacks expected to go in the first round, albeit all come with concerns. Without further adieu let us look at the 2023 NFL Quarterback class ranking

Disclaimer: Our Grades are based on a mixture of current skill and potential, there is no saying they will reach their full potential 

*Click on the Player Names to See Their Full NFL Draft Profiles

1. CJ Stroud  

6’3, 215

Round: 1st

Grade: 70% (Pro Bowl Potential)

Comp: Jameis Winston

Summary:

He has one of the cleanest motions you will see and very good arm strength. He has a lot of potential but needs to work on accuracy  on short throws and on the run, pocket presence, and progressions. It is worth noting that the player seen against Georgia in the Peach Bowl was a whole tier higher prospect wise. He was much more mobile, he used his legs to create on the ground and rolling out. These things rarely are seen on tape before this game and if it is a sign of things to come he could be much more than a pro bowl potential player.

Upd. 3/20:

Stroud had one of the best throwing combines in a long time and continues to show why he has the best combination of arm strength and accuracy in the class. He cemented himself as QB1 in our eyes.

2. Anthony Richardson

6’4, 236

Round: Late 1st

Grade: Developmental Prospect with unlimited upside

Comp: More athletic Jordan Love

Summary:

No prospect possesses the upside that Richardson has in this class. No prospect also may need as much development as Richardson. He has possibly the highest ceiling and lowest floor of any QB in this class. He has a rocket arm and is a next level athlete. Shades of Josh Allen and Cam Newton could be in his future. However, he is incredibly raw and absolutely has to sit for at least one year. In a time when people want immediate results, Richardson could pay off in massive quantities if the team is patient. He could be worth a first, but should not play anytime soon. People like to rip on the pick of Jordan Love, but if he takes over next season and is more than good, that pick would be worth it for the Packers. We can see a similar path for Richardson.

Upd. 3/20:

Richardson had the best combine ever for a quarterback and it is not particularly close. He is the most athletic prospect ever seen at the quarterback position, he showed a much improved throwing motion with incredible arm strength, and aced the interviews. He should be expected to go top three at this point, but he still needs time to develop.

3. Bryce Young 

6’0, 194

Round: 1st

Grade: 61% (Potentia Starter)

Comp: Tua Tagovailoa

Summary:

We personally do not get the hype for Bryce Young. He is listed at 6”0 194 and most people know both of those numbers are probably wrong. He has a good, but not great arm and messy lower-body mechanics. Hitting receivers in stride is an issue and his accuracy can be really good but also really bad. There is no way we would take him with the first overall pick. He reminds us of Tua. When you watch both their bases are too wide, they also have average arms, and accuracy is sporadic. Young will have to go to a team with a plethora of weapons to succeed similar to Tua finally succeeding with two pro bowl receivers. Buyer beware with Young unless you have everything in place and just need an above average game manager. We have him ranked third because he is pro ready, but his ceiling is far lower than others in this class

4. Dorian Thompson-Robinson

6’1, 205

Round: 2nd

Grade: 68% (Starter Potential)

Comp: Jalen Hurts

Summary:

Dorian Thompson-Robinson has all of the makings of a starter at the next level and should gain steam as the draft process rolls on. He has all sorts of records at UCLA and made improvements every season. He is a legitimate threat as a runner, has a good enough arm, and has an idea of what it means to be a quarterback for a football team. The comp to Jalen Hurts is about his physical skill set (arm development out of college included), but there is a bigger reason for it. Watch any UCLA game this year and you can see the leadership and passion that DTR plays with. In the USC game he handed the ball off multiple times and then sprinted ahead to make a block for his running back. We mean a real block, not the normal qb block. He talks to his teammates on the sideline constantly and seems to be someone that players will follow. Above any other skill, this is where Jalen Hurts thrives too. DTR needs to add some weight and could use a season to develop the finer points of throwing, like Hurts, but do not be surprised if he is taken higher than expected.

Upd. 3/20:

DTR had the fastest velocity at the combine for quarterbacks, which is a huge win for him. His accuracy was spotty but he also tested as a great athlete which was to be expected. He is a gem in our eyes and, if given time to develop, could be the steal of the draft at QB.

5. Clayton Tune

6”3, 220

Round: 2

Grade:62%

Comp: Geno Smith

Summary: 

Clayton Tune is what people think Will Levis is. He is an unfinished product with high level athleticism and a live arm. There are a lot of areas he needs to develop, especially his deep accuracy to match arm strength, but he is a project that could pay off big as a mid round pick if he gets the proper time to develop. There is a large gap between his floor and ceiling, but luckily he should come at the price of a second at most so it is a lot less risky

6.Will Levis

6’3, 232

Round: 2nd

Grade: 63% (Starter Potential)

Comp: Baker Mayfield

Summary:

We have gone from not getting the hype on Levis, to seeing it, to not getting it again in the span of a year. He regressed hard this year in our opinion. Levis has the arm to be an NFL talent, but there are issues that are serious. He is a turnover machine right now both throwing and running. His accuracy seems like it took a step back as did his anticipation and ability to get through progressions. His mobility is greatly over exaggerated as he is not going to be a special runner at the next level. He is tough and has a decent sense of the pocket, but there is a lot of work to be done. Now he is not helped by an awful offensive system that calls for a lot of quick screens and runs on 1st/2nd down. But, it does not change the fact that Levis did not step up in big games like Tennessee. Is someone going to take him in round one? Probably. Would we? No

7. Hendon Hooker

6”4, 218

Round: 2nd Round

Grade: 49/80; 61% ( Starter Potential) *Age and Injury are a factor to consider here

Comp: Mitch Trubisky

Summary:

Hooker has the makings of a starting caliber player. His arm is good enough but could be better if his mechanics are cleaned up. He is decently mobile, and does a little bit of everything while not being overly elite in any area either. His torn acl complicates an already old age entering the NFL season which is not included in our grade but is a factor to consider. He could go in the third if a team loves him or day three.

8. Stetson Bennett

5”11, 190

Round: 3rd Round

Grade: 53/80; 66% (Starter Potential but age can be a negative factor)

Comp: Doug Flutie

Summary:

We are not really sure why Bennett is not being taken more seriously as a prospect. Is he old? Yes but that did not affect Hendon Hooker when he was having the season he had. Is he undersized? Yes but that does not get brought up as much with Young ( and Stetson may even be bigger if you look at pictures of them standing together). We know it gets brought up for Bryce young yet it feels like it really is used to negate Bennett. It would not be surprising if a team takes a shot in the third on him, or he falls and yet ends up playing well anyways. Our comp was hard to come up with as there is no perfect match. He has elements of Tyrod, Heinecke, and others but he ultimately went with Doug Flutie. It also works because we could see Bennett lighting up the USFL or XFL like Flutie did in the CFL.

8. Holton Ahlers

6″4, 230

Round: 5

Comp: Sam Ehlinger

Summary:

All Ahlers done has produce through the air and on the ground. He is a strong armed quarterback with good mobility, but played at a small school and will need to prove he can translate his skills at the next level. Plus, he is a lefty so that is always fun.

9. Max Duggan

6’2, 210

Round: 6

Grade: 41/80; 51% (High End Backup)

Comp: Taylor Heinicke

Summary:

He has some intangibles to like, but accuracy and pocket presence are necessary in the NFL and he struggles at both. He can still be a high end backup in the league that a team can rally behind due to his heart and leadership. Like Taylor Heinicke in Washington.

10. Jarren Hall

6”1, 205

Round: 7th Round/UDFA

Grade: 48% (Potential Backup)

Comp: Skylar Thompson

Summary:

Hall is a decent athlete that can make things happen with his legs. However he seems to play mostly within a script and when he is required to go off script he loses something. His arm is below average overall although he can wind up on the intermediate throws if needed but too many passes flutter. He is routinely short on deep throws and struggles to feel pressure. He can stick as a backup due to his athleticism but do not expect anything special.

11. Tanner McKee

6”6, 230

Round: 7th/UDFA

Grade: 46% (Potential Backup)

Comp: Jacob Eason

Summary:

While he has a good arm and can hit the deep ball, that is where his positives end. He falls apart under pressure and is one of the worst at sensing the pressure you will see. For a guy who got no favors from his offensive line it is shocking he did not learn to better feel the rush. He can stick on a roster as a strong armed backup but he also could be on the practice squad just as easy.

12. Aidan O’Connell

Round: 7/UDFA

Grade: 51%

Comp: Brian Hoyer

Summary:

We expect he is able to stick around as a lifelong backup in the NFL, but no trait of his stands out and his accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.

13. Jake Haener

Round: 7/UDFA

Grade: 51%

Comp: Jake Luton

Summary:

Looks okay when not pressured, but as soon as the blitz comes he falls apart and forgets everything he knows about playing quarterback. We do not see this is being very correctible