In the Market: Looking at the top QB prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class after Week 10
By Scott Rogust
Week 10 of the college football season was complete chaos. But how did the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class perform?
Well, that was certainly a college football weekend. By that, we mean: Wow what a fun chaotic mess that was!
In Week 10, college football fans saw 10 ranked teams lose to send countless College Football Playoff projections into the trash bin or through the paper shredders. Teams like the Tennessee Volunteers, Clemson Tigers, and the Alabama Crimson Tide all lost their respective games, which shook up the Top Four of the Playoff this week.
While fans still process what the hell went on this past weekend, we are here to tell you how some of the top quarterback prospects performed amid the chaos. Let’s take a look at the Week 10 edition of “In the Market.”
Previous editions of “In the Market” can be found in the links below:
How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 10: Bryce Young, Alabama
Out of all the top quarterback prospects, Bryce Young probably had the best. And he didn’t even start off Alabama’s game against LSU all that well!
The stats are, well, ugly, but Young showed what will entice NFL teams to draft him high, and potentially first overall — he’s clutch.
Alabama found themselves down 17-14 to LSU in the fourth quarter, but Young changed that with a truly incredible play. After hiking the football, Young watched as his pocket crumbled. So, he juked away from the grasps of oncoming defenders, rolled to the right, and hit a wide-open Ja’Corey Brooks for a go-ahead touchdown.
Earth to the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Indianapolis Colts — have you seen this? Young could very well be the solution to your quarterback issues if he is available when you are on the board in the NFL Draft this April
Speaking of the game, Young completed 25-of-51 pass attempts for 328 yards and one touchdown.
Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, they lost 32-31 in overtime to the Tigers.
Next Game: at Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET
How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 10: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
C.J. Stroud did not throw the football that much in Week 10. That’s because of the insane wind speeds at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois, as the Ohio State Buckeyes took on the Northwestern Wildcats.
Stroud attempted 26 passes on the day, completing just 10 of them for a total of 76 yards. In fact, the Buckeyes had only put up 118 yards of total offense against Northwestern. Yet, Ohio State leaned heavily on their running game, and Stroud played a key role in that. The quarterback picked up 79 yards on six carries.
While he didn’t put up extravagant statistics in Week 10, he didn’t turn over the football whatsoever in the game, as the Buckeyes picked up a 21-7 victory.
Next Game: vs. Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12:00 p.m. ET
How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 10: Will Levis, Kentucky
Back in Week 9, Kentucky had a no-good, awful, terrible time playing the Tennessee Volunteers. In that game, quarterback Will Levis was pressured at will, and threw for less than 100 yards against Tennessee’s defense.
Luckily for Levis and the Wildcats, they had a get-right game against the Missouri Tigers.
Levis made the most of his limited opportunities, as this was a game that head coach Mark Stoops called 41 running plays. Out of the 19 pass attempts, Levis completed 13 of them for 170 yards and three touchdowns.
One of Levis’ best throws of the game was early in the first quarter, where he was right on the money to wide receiver Barion Brown.
It was a much better game for Levis than the week prior. Sure, he didn’t have to throw the football much, but he made the most of it.
Next Game: vs. Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12:00 p.m. ET
How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 10: Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Hendon Hooker had been spectacular throughout the 2022 season, showcasing what he can do on a football field. Look at what he did against Alabama. He had the chance to have another Heisman moment in Week 10 when he faced the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
This was far from a Heisman moment for Hooker.
The Bulldogs sacked the senior quarterback six times, and pressured him at will. They limited the Volunteers offense to just 13 points, which is incredible considering that they had averaged 49.4 points per game entering Week 10. Tennessee didn’t reach the end zone until 55 minutes into the game.
Hooker threw 195 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception while completing 23-of-33 pass attempts. That, and he ran for just 17 yards on 18 carries.
With the team losing their first game of the season, they will look to bounce back. Here’s hoping Hooker has a better outing.
Next Game: vs. Missouri Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12:00 p.m. ET
How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 10: Anthony Richardson, Florida
Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson had a great game in Week 10, facing off against the Texas A&M Aggies, who have failed to live up to their expectations as CFP national title contenders. Richardson took advantage of the matchup, attacking the defense through the air and on the ground.
Richardson’s dual-threat ability is what has caused him to be considered a top quarterback prospect in the 2023 class. He showed just that when he ran for a 60-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give the Gators a 17-14 lead.
The quarterback also showed off his presence standing in the pocket, avoiding two Aggies defenders, causing them to collide with one another. Then, he completed a touchdown pass to Caleb Douglas.
Richardson completed 17-of-28 pass attempts for 201 yards and two touchdowns while running for 78 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.
Next Game: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 4:00 p.m. ET
How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 10: Tyler Van Dyke, Miami
Tyler Van Dyke made his return for the Miami Hurricanes in Week 10 after suffering a shoulder injury against the Duke Blue Devils two weeks ago. Sadly, he did not last long in the team’s game against the Florida State Seminoles.
Van Dyke played the entirety of the first quarter but departed early in the second after throwing a pass and immediately clutching his right shoulder. He was replaced by Jacurri Brown.
In his limited playing time in Week 10, Van Dyke completed four-of-eight pass attempts for 24 yards. Miami was blown out 45-3 by Florida State.
Van Dyke’s playing status will be worth monitoring entering Week 11.
Next Game: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET
One 2023 NFL Draft QB sleeper who turned heads in Week 10
How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 10: Jayden Daniels, LSU
The sleeper quarterback of Week 10 is LSU senior Jayden Daniels.
The Tigers signal-caller has been on quite a roll recently, as prior to Week 10, he helped the team hand the Ole Miss Rebels their very first loss of the season. This week, he helped defeat a top-10 ranked opponent for the second week in a row in the Alabama Crimson Tide.
In overtime, the Tigers trailed the Crimson Tide 31-24. On just one play, Daniels ran to the outside and essentially jogged into the end zone for a quick 25-yard touchdown. Then, LSU head coach Brian Kelly called for a two-point conversion, which was successful after hitting Mason Taylor in the end zone for a two-yard completion to get the win.
Daniels completed 22-of-32 pass attempts for 182 yards and two touchdowns while running for 95 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
This game highlighted how much of a difference Daniels can make. He has the chance to potentially lead the Tigers to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019.
One 2023 NFL Draft QB who needs to show teams more after Week 10
How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 10: Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
The doubts will linger for Hendon Hooker, considering that this was the first time this season that he didn’t score a touchdown in a game. However, it must be noted that Georgia’s defense gave him no time in the pocket. But let’s be real, putting up huge numbers against Georgia’s defense is impossible, so cut him some slack.
Tennessee has a rather easy schedule to end the season, so there is time for Hooker to have a better game. By doing so, he will silence the critics for his performance against Georgia.
Who are buyers in the NFL?
Here is what the top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft would look like if the season ended today, courtesy of Tankathon.
- Houston Texans (1-6-1)
- Carolina Panthers (2-7)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)
- Detroit Lions (2-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints (2-6))
- Arizona Cardinals (3-6)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6)
- Chicago Bears (3-6)
- Green Bay Packers (3-6)
The Houston Texans are now at the front of the race for the No. 1 pick, thanks in part to the Detroit Lions pulling off an upset win over the Green Bay Packers. Considering the Texans still have to play the likes of the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and Kansas City Chiefs, they could very well clinch the top spot in the NFL Draft.
After a brief moment of hope in Week 7 following their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers have fallen back down to earth. They lost last week in heartbreaking fashion to the Atlanta Falcons. This past weekend, the Panthers were run over by Joe Mixon, who scored five total touchdowns. The offense was limited to 32 yards in the first half against the Bengals.
Other than the Texans, Panthers and Lions, there are no real teams in the running for a quarterback in the rest of the top 10. That is, unless, the Steelers are not sold on Kenny Pickett, and if the Packers want to draft Aaron Rodgers’ heir apparent (over Jordan Love).
The Colts will be a team to keep an eye on. They fired head coach Frank Reich after putting up 120 yards of offense against the New England Patriots, and replaced him with former center Jeff Saturday, who has no NFL head coaching experience. The rest of the season will be interesting for the Colts.
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