Top Five Quarterbacks in 2023 | Comparison of CJ Stroud & Bryce Young

 

The National Football League (NFL) draft is an annual event in which NFL teams select college football players to join their teams. One of the most important positions in football is the quarterback, and many teams prioritize selecting a quarterback early in the draft. In this analysis, we will look at five quarterback prospects who may be selected in the upcoming NFL draft of 2023.

 

This blog discusses the ranking of the top college quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL mock draft. The National Football League (NFL) draft is an annual event in which NFL teams select college football players to join their teams. One of the most important positions in football is the quarterback, and many teams prioritize selecting a quarterback early in the draft. In this analysis, we will look at five QB prospects who may be selected in the upcoming NFL draft of 2023. We will provide expert opinions on each quarterback, including their strengths, weaknesses, and potential as NFL players. The rankings are based on a combination of game video analysis and personal observations, including a side-by-side comparison of two of the top QB at an event. I believe context and team fitness will ultimately determine a quarterback's success in the NFL.

Quarterback rankings are a hotly debated topic in US football, and the 2022 season has some exciting prospects to watch. I will examine the top five quarterbacks for the upcoming season, as determined by an expert analyst. Specifically, this analysis will focus on the comparison between CJ Stroud and Bryce Young and explain why Young ultimately ranks higher despite some impressive performances by Stroud.

 Top Five Quarterbacks

The top five quarterbacks for the 2023 NFL season, according to my analyst, are as follows:

1. Bryce Young
2. CJ Stroud
3. Anthony Richardson
4. Will Levis
5. Hinden Hooker

 

Bryce Young: The Dynamic and Record-Breaking QB

 

Young is a talented QB who played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was highly recruited coming out of high school, with offers from numerous top football programs.  Young joined Alabama as a freshman in 2021 and quickly made a name for himself as a backup quarterback. He made his first start for the Crimson Tide in the 2021 Iron Bowl against Auburn, where he led his team to a thrilling comeback victory. Young's performance in that game was just a taste of what was to come.

 

In his sophomore season in 2022, Young took over as the starting QB for the Crimson Tide and led the team to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the College Football Playoff. He finished the regular season with over 4,000 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes, earning him numerous awards and honors, including the Heisman Trophy, given to the most outstanding player in college football.

 

Young is known for his quick release, accuracy, and ability to make plays both with his arm and his legs. Despite his smaller stature, he has shown the ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing. His success on the field has made him a fan favorite at Alabama and has put him in the conversation as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.

 

CJ Stroud: The Rising Star Quarterback of the NFL

 

Stroud is a young QB who currently plays for The Ohio State Buckeyes, one of the top college football teams in the United States. During his high school career, Stroud was known for his arm strength and accuracy as a passer. He was also known for his poise in the pocket and his ability to make quick decisions under pressure. Stroud's high school success and potential led to him being ranked as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country for the class of 2021.

 

After enrolling at Ohio State, Stroud had to compete for the starting quarterback job with several other highly-touted quarterbacks. Eventually, Stroud emerged as the starter and had a solid freshman season, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021. He also showed the ability to make plays with his legs, rushing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. He is still considered to be one of the top young quarterbacks in the country. With his size, arm talent, and athleticism, he has the potential to become a star at the college level and potentially even at the professional level in the future.

 

CJ Stroud VS Bryce Young 

It is noted that CJ Stroud and Bryce Young were both impressive quarterbacks, but ultimately, if we compare both Young ranked higher on the list. The rankings were not based solely on a game but also on a unique experience that the analyst had: watching both players throw side by side at the Elite 11 in the summer of 2022. 

Despite these limitations, the analyst concluded that Bryce Young was the better QB of the two. This determination was based on Young's instincts, accuracy, anticipation, playmaking ability, and ability to extend plays - all in a smaller package than Stroud. While Stroud can spin the ball, the analyst stated that he would have liked to see more of Stroud's athleticism before placing him above Young. The analyst also noted that the game of football has changed and become more spread out, making height less of an issue than it was in the past. Young's smaller stature is not as much of a concern as it may have been 15 or 20 years ago be analyzed.

 Also read: Who is in the top 10 NFL QBs of all time?

Anthony Richardson: A Fascinating Skill Set 

At number three, Anthony Richardson is a talented quarterback with a fascinating skill set. He is a big, strong, and athletic player who throws the ball fluidly and naturally. His arm motion is effortless, and he can throw different types of passes with varying velocities and touch. Richardson's instincts for pocket movement are impressive and have a unique twitch, explosiveness, and change of direction that is hard to teach. 

Richardson's potential is evident, but he would benefit from further development and polish. While he is ready to start in some situations, it would be better for him to go to a team where he can continue to grow and improve. He needs to work on consistency within the pocket, and his arm angles need refinement. Richardson's unique movement skills make him a valuable asset for any team willing to develop his talents.

Will Levis: A NFL Skill Set with Toughness 

Will Levis is a quarterback with a great NFL skill set. He has shown the ability to play through multiple injuries in the toughest conference in college football, which highlights his toughness and availability. Levis has a reputation for being a tough player, and his game showcases that element. He is a quarterback who values protecting the ball and wants to improve his trajectory of improvement. However, I have noted a dip in his progress, which raises questions about the context and circumstances that contributed to this regression.  

Levis's skills make him a valuable player, but the issues with his progress and consistency within his team make his evaluation more complex. It is essential to peel back the layers and understand why there was a dip in his trajectory. This information will provide valuable insights into his development and future potential in the NFL.

 

Hendon Hooker: Polished Quarterback 

Hendon Hooker is a polished quarterback with excellent footwork, rhythm, and timing. He plays with a smooth base and has impressive eyes and footwork. Hooker's skills make him a valuable player ready to start in the NFL. However, injuries have raised questions about his availability and durability.

If Hooker were not injured, he would be ahead of Will Levis in this evaluation. He is a quarterback with potential, and his polished skills are ready for the NFL. However, injuries have prevented him from showcasing his full potential. If he can stay healthy, Hooker has the potential to become an asset to any team.