In the Market: Looking at the top QB prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class after bowl games
By Scott Rogust
Let’s take a look at how the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class performed in their respective bowl games.
“In the Market” is back after a bit of a break, as the college football season took some time off between conference championship games and the start of bowl season. Now, the 2022 college football season has officially reached its conclusion, which means that it is NFL Draft season.
When it comes to the draft, the one position that gets the most attention are the quarterbacks. We have been following the top quarterback prospects throughout the season to provide updates on how they performed on a week-by-week basis. Now with the season over, we are going to look at what they did in bowl season.
There were only two top quarterback prospects who played in bowl games this week — Bryce Young of Alabama and C.J. Stroud of Ohio State. Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson both declared for the draft, but they sat out of their team’s respective bowl games. As for Hendon Hooker, he is currently recovering from a torn ACL, but did declare for the draft.
So, we’re going to take a look at how both Young and Stroud played in their respective games. Then, we will head into some mock drafts, since it is that time of year.
Previous editions of “In the Market” can be viewed at the links below:
Taking Stock: How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in bowl games
Bryce Young, Alabama
Young and the Crimson Tide didn’t make the College Football Playoff, but participated in one of the New Year’s Six games. They took on the Kansas State Wildcats in the Sugar Bowl, and it was quite the showing for the team and the potential No. 1 pick in the draft in Young.
In the Sugar Bowl, Young had just 21 pass attempts. He completed 15 of those for 321 yards and five touchdown passes. He simply took control of the entire game.
One of Young’s more impressive throws came near the start of the third quarter, where he threw a pass to the back-right corner of the end zone. Wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks was able to haul it in bounds and secure the 32-yard reception and extend Alabama’s lead to 28-10.
Granted, Young had all of the time in the world at points. Take a look at his touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond in the first quarter. He had five seconds before he was able to find his wide receiver in the back of the end zone to cut the team’s deficit to 10-7.
Young officially brought an end to his collegiate career by winning the MVP award for the Sugar Bowl, and then he officially declared for the NFL Draft.
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
C.J. Stroud didn’t end his regular season in the best of ways, losing big to the Michigan Wolverines. Yet, they were able to make it into the College Football Playoff, helped by the fact that the USC Trojans lost in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Stroud had one more chance to keep Ohio State’s season alive, and to raise his draft stock. It wasn’t going to be easy, as he had to face off against the vaunted defense of the Georgia Bulldogs in the Peach Bowl.
And he had perhaps his best game.
Stroud and the Buckeyes had the Bulldogs on the ropes, and appeared to be on the verge of pulling off an upset (seeding-wise). That, obviously, didn’t happen due in part to some questionable play-calling at the end of the game from Ryan Day and Noah Ruggles missing a game-winning field goal. End result aside, Stroud really showed that he will be just fine in the NFL.
His best play happened in the second quarter, Stroud saw the pocket collapse and seemingly on the verge of getting sacked by defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse. But then, Stroud escaped the pocket, ran to the outside and made an impressive throw to wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the end zone for a touchdown to extend Ohio State’s lead to 21-7.
Stroud finished the game completing 23-of-34 pass attempts for 348 yards and four touchdowns.
Now, the football world waits to see if Stroud officially declares. He has yet to do so, and has until Monday, Jan. 16 to make a decision.
Who’s Buying in the NFL?
With the NFL regular-season in the books, and the playoffs beginning, the first 18 positions in the NFL Draft have been revealed:
- Chicago Bears (3-14)
- Houston Texans (3-13-1)
- Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
- Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1)
- Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos (5-12))
- Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams (5-12))
- Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)
- Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
- Carolina Panthers (7-10)
- Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints (7-10))
- Tennessee Titans (7-10)
- Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns (7-10))
- New York Jets (7-10)
- New England Patriots (8-9)
- Green Bay Packers (8-9)
- Washington Commanders (8-8-1)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
- Detroit Lions (9-8)
The teams that we can put in the “we desperately need a quarterback right now” category are the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers.
The Texans may very well have ruined a chance of getting their top choice, as the Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 pick. That could open the door for the Colts to leap into the No. 1 spot to get the quarterback of their choosing. They need a quarterback badly after the Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan experiments failed spectacularly. Maybe the Panthers move up to select the most ready to start quarterback in the class.
Those we can place in “we need a quarterback, but not start right away” are the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, and Washington Commanders.
The Raiders are moving on from Derek Carr, and could very well go for a big name in free agency or the trade market. It wouldn’t hurt for them to select a quarterback in the first-round to sit for a year or so. The Jets look to have missed badly on Zach Wilson in the 2021 draft, and are looking for a veteran to bring their playoff-ready roster into the postseason. The Commanders have had the quarterback position hold them back. They may have something in Sam Howell, but they could be a sneaky team to move up and select one of the top prospects.
As for the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, they both had great seasons with Geno Smith and Jared Goff starting. It’s unknown if either can replicate their success from 2022 into next season. It wouldn’t hurt for either of them to select a prospect to sit behind them for a year or more.
2023 NFL Mock Draft with best QB fits
With mock drafts, we are going to split this into two sections. For the first mock draft, let’s look at the best fit for each quarterback prospect. When it comes to the most ideal landing spots for the top quarterback prospects, these teams make the most sense:
- Bryce Young: Indianapolis Colts
- C.J. Stroud: Houston Texans
- Will Levis: Detroit Lions
- Anthony Richardson: Las Vegas Raiders
- Hendon Hooker: Seattle Seahawks
The Colts need a quarterback in the worst way. They have failed on the trade market and in free agency. Indianapolis needs to make a move up to the No. 1 pick and select Young, who is probably one of the most pro-ready quarterbacks in the class.
Houston is in a similar position as Indianapolis, but they will have a painful couple of months waiting to see which quarterback-needy team will move ahead of them in the first-round, if at all. Even if the Colts take Young, they can pivot to Stroud, who really shined in the Peach Bowl to show that he can play in big moments.
Levis has the traits that scouts will gawk over. Is he ready to start right away? Probably not. The Lions would be an ideal destination for him, as he can sit behind Goff and learn in Detroit’s high-powered offense.
Much like Levis, Richardson has the skills to be a dangerous quarterback. The issue is, he never put it all together. Richardson could benefit from sitting his rookie year on a team like the Raiders.
As for Hooker, he could have very well been a late first-round pick with how well he played in the 2022 season. But, he’s currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered late in the season. Not to mention that he’s 25-years-old. The Seahawks will undoubtedly re-sign Geno Smith. They could use one of their Day 2 picks to select Hooker to sit behind Smith, and eventually move into the starter’s position down the line.
2023 NFL Mock Draft with best QB predictions
- Bryce Young: Indianapolis Colts
- C.J. Stroud: Las Vegas Raiders
- Will Levis: Houston Texans
- Anthony Richardson: Carolina Panthers
- Hendon Hooker: New Orleans Saints
One way or another, Young seems like he will go to the Colts.
The Texans could very well be enamored by Levis’ skillset and traits, especially during the Scouting Combine. Would it be a shock if Levis is the first quarterback selected in the 2023 NFL Draft? No.
Imagine if the Raiders have Stroud fall right to them at the No. 7 spot? They should run their card up to the podium for commissioner Roger Goodell to read. Whether they get a veteran like Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo or not, selecting Stroud would be a huge win for them.
One team could very well fall in love with Richardson’s abilities throughout the pre-draft process. The Panthers need a quarterback. They can definitely make the pick of Richardson with the No. 9 selection.
The Saints don’t have a first-round selection by way of their weird trade with the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of last year’s NFL Draft. They could use one of their Day 2 picks on Hooker, who showed he could be a great quarterback this past season with Tennessee.
For more College Football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.