NFL Draft: QB Power Rankings
2023 NFL Draft QB Power Rankings
CJ Stroud, Ohio State
CJ Stroud is the best QB in this draft class and he cemented that after his game against Georgia. Stroud has been receiving a ton of negative publicity the past couple weeks and that happens during draft season. The tape speaks for itself. Yes, he plays in a weak Big 10 conference but when he faced Georgia it was an eye opening performance for any doubters. He is so smooth the way he maneuvers in the pocket with a delicate touch on the football. You will hear plenty of scrutiny because he played with a grade A offensive line and great weapons. Let me ask you, are there any star WRs from Kentucky being drafted high? Florida? QBs elevate the talent around them. If this was not the case Stetson Bennet would be drafted #1 overall, right?
Bryce Young, Alabama
Young has great pocket presence for his size with incredible accuracy. I have no beef with Bryce Young and there is no question he can play the QB position. I am afraid of Bryce Young’s size. He can work with his height but it is his ability to withstand constant pressure and hits from men twice and three times his size. Ask Kyler Murray how much he enjoys getting the shit kicked out of him. All the tools are there except for the size, the durability is the issue.
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Hooker had an incredible season with Tennessee before blowing his ACL. He will be rehabbing the majority if not all of his rookie season but he is still an attractive QB. Yes, he played in a spread heavy pass offense but look at his accuracy! He did not throw more than 3 interceptions in two season in the SEC. This is the exact opposite of Will Levis. I agree with Hooker when he said it was not his fault his WRs were always wide open. Believe me, even when they are wide open, somebody still has to get the ball there. This is the Geno Smith type player in this draft with our #4 QB. They may not start right away but with some seasoning I expect them to get NFL snaps and contribute. Hooker has all the tools and the accuracy is crucial.
Anthony Richardson, Florida
The wild card Anthony Richardson. Yes, every single highlight reel of Richardson looks like a more athletic (if that is possible) Cam Newton. He has a cannon for an arm, looks like a million bucks but why was Florida nowhere near a top 5 team this past season? Which Anthony Richardson will show up when you draft him? The one against Utah or the one against Kentucky and South Florida? If you have the coaching staff to mold Richardson then I 100% get it but you rush him things will end poorly. With as much grief as Geno Smith received before this season he at least put up ridiculous numbers at West Virginia. Be careful with only 1 year of tape. You don’t want a Mitch Trubisky situation.
Jaren Hall, BYU
I am not knocking Hall any points for playing at BYU because he went against solid competition. Jaren Hall has great touch on his deep passes and is accurate throwing deep. If Hall was 6’3” he would be my #4 QB maybe higher. Put the tape on. He has some beautiful passes and played legit competition.
Will Levis, Kentucky
I am not a Will Levis fan at all. His accuracy is all over the place. He did not win any meaningful games at Kentucky. If he was 6’0” like the rest of the QBs on this list he would not even be on the list. I am plugging Will Levis here at #6 based on his size alone. Please, let me know what film to watch that proves he is an NFL QB. The best game I saw Levis play was against Ole Miss this past season and he played the second half injured. Too many turnovers for me. I am not buying any Will Levis stock.
Jake Haener, Fresno State
Haener has potential but his size scares me. He looks bigger than his 6’ frame, which helps. I think he will be a solid backup QB and if you have seen their check there is nothing wrong with that.
Malik Cunningham, Louisville
Malik is a phenomenal athlete. Not the same caliber as his Louisville brethren Lamar Jackson but still quite the athlete. He needs the right system. If I am the Eagles or Ravens I draft Cunningham. It will be a steal and great depth.
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
O’Connell has solid size and was a bit all over the place this past season for Purdue in clutch situations. If he came through in the clutch against Penn State, Syracuse and Wisconsin then we would definitely be having a different conversation here. The potential is there but this was the season where O’Connell needed to make those clutch drives for more recognition going into the draft. Instead, we are talking about him just being another body hoping to be another backup.
Stetson Bennett, Georgia
Stetson Bennett stands about 5’10”, balls of steel and two National Championships to his name. In this case, every inch does count. Bennett made amazing plays during his past two season at Georgia. I had absolutely zero confidence he would be able to survive two years ago but he continued to prove me wrong. I would not be surprised if he finishes his career around #5 on this list. That is just the type of QB Stetson Bennett is. I can see him playing for the Saints with their weapons indoors and not far from home. It’s kind of perfect. Book it.
