It’s that time. At this time when NFL teams are starting to get knocked out of the playoffs while in the college ranks, prospects announce plans to declare for the draft while also deciding to sit out bowl games in preparation. .
These concurrent developments indicate that a growing number of NFL organizations are turning their attention to the NFL Draft, and quarterbacks are still a hot topic.
Let’s identify the best fits for the consensus best quarterback prospects in the 2023 class.
Best fits: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Young walked onto the Alabama campus and was an immediate star — even before he threw a pass to the Crimson Tide. Young, a five-star recruit in the Class of 2020, earned “ungodly numbers” which were close to a million dollars, by Nick Saban, in the NIL market as he sat behind Mac Jones as a true freshman.
The hype for Young was monstrous, and all he did when he took over the starting gig in Alabama in 2021 was cruise to the Heisman Trophy and lead Saban’s club to the title game. national. Although the Tide lost two regular season competitions in 2022 and did not qualify for the college football playoffs with Young in the shotgun, his rapid rise to big man status on campus and the way he ‘handled exquisitely are important to consider when choosing the best landing spot for him in the NFL.
Young is used to the high expectations of the jump. If he becomes No. 1 overall, that tag, of course, comes with huge expectations. Football is king in Texas, and if the Texans sign him, Young’s super poised demeanor on and off the field is an ideal match for a Houston team that was a permanent playoff contender early in Deshaun’s career. Watson then exploded from the inside, leaving only rubble. Now, Young hasn’t been tasked with rebuilding Alabama’s program, but he feels like a quarterback who would calmly welcome being the face of the next chapter of the Texans franchise.
The Colts would also be reasonable, more from a schematic point of view. The offensive line is good and there’s quality running play there — offensive bases that Young is familiar with.
Best fits: Detroit Lions, Houston Texans
I’m not committed to that comparison yet, but looking at Stroud over the past two seasons at Ohio State, it’s hard to strongly disagree with a Jared Goff lineup for the young passer. They’re very similar stylistically: powerful but not overwhelmingly strong arms, pocket-handling skills, quality ball placement across the board, and athleticism that hovers between average and functional.
Because of this, Stroud learning from Goff on an upstart Lions team makes perfect sense. With the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and one of the strongest offensive lines in the league, Stroud’s best fit was at Motor City, absorbing knowledge from Goff early in his professional career. Stroud will enter the NFL at age 21, just like Goff did.
The Texans aren’t bad either, as Stroud entered the Ohio State quarterback gig with no fear and amassed huge numbers in his two seasons as a starter. Houston is a club that needs a confident and very talented passer who is not easily shaken. Stroud ticks all of those boxes.
Best Fits: Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders
Levis will be 24 at the start of his rookie season. This fact will be hammered into your brain during draft season. For good reason. Levis’ age must be considered by all teams in the 2023 draft quarterback market.
Because of that, it’s not ideal to sit behind a veteran for a year. If you draft him, you expect him to start on day one in the NFL. This is precisely what the Panthers need. Legitimate and logical direction at quarterback with a draft pick. What’s also good about the adjustment is that no one expects the Panthers to be NFC contenders in 2023, and they’ll likely pair a new head coach and offensive coordinator in Levis. Additionally, in 2021, Levis appeared brightly on the draft radar in an offense centered around one receiver — Wan’Dale Robinson. In Carolina, DJ Moore is the clear No. 1 who can handle 10+ targets per game.
Levis at Commanders would also fit right in, especially with Taylor Heinicke as the impending unrestricted free agent. Washington’s defense is already in the top 10 units, according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA, and boasts plenty of young talent. Yes, the offensive line needs more reinforcement, but the skill set of underrated star Terry McLaurin, first-round pick Jahan Dotson and explosive complementary piece Curtis Samuel would help guide Levis early in his professional career.
Best games: New York Giants, Detroit Lions
Giants head coach Brian Daboll served as Josh Allen’s offensive coordinator for the first four seasons of the NFL Superstars’ career. Do I still need to write? Along with Allen’s dedication to improving mechanically, Daboll and Co. — including Giants general manager Joe Schoen — were integral in shaping the offense around Allen’s raw but immense skill set during his early days. seasons with the Bills.
You better believe they would like to follow their own pattern with a quarterback of comparable talent with the Giants. Richardson is tall, ultra-athletic and has a gut. If there’s one organization — beyond the Bills — that understands the steps needed to accentuate the advantage a quarterback needs to develop after entering the league, it’s the Daboll and Schoen-led Giants.
Simply because of the redshirt opportunity he would likely be presented with with the Lions behind Goff, Detroit would also represent a comfortable landing spot for Richardson. The vision of him firing rockets at Jameson Williams deep in the field is extremely alluring.
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Best fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders
Believe it or not, Hooker is even older than Levis, having rightfully taken full advantage of eligibility waivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He’s flourished in Tennessee for the past two seasons and had a worthy Heisman nominee — he absolutely should have been invited to the ceremony — campaign this season. Averaging a considerable 9.6 yards per attempt, Hooker has completed more than 68% of his throws with 58 touchdowns for five tiny interceptions on the Volunteers’ wide-opening vertical passing offense in 2021 and 2022 combined.
It’s the type of offense I’d like to see him play in once he’s in the NFL. This will shorten his learning curve. Now this year, Tom Brady is back in his normal average depth of target territory (7.6 yards), but in his first two seasons with the Buccaneers he operated one of the most aggressive passing offenses ever. of the league. In the 2020 Super Bowl victory, his 9.8 aDOT was second in football among qualified quarterbacks, and at 8.2 last year, Brady was still in the top half of the league in that stat.
With Hooker, Tampa Bay could return to its vertical lanes.
The Commanders are another team with quality pieces on offense, a solid defense and no distinct future at quarterback. In theory, Hooker could be the club’s starter for Week 1 and make Washington a wild-card contender in 2023.