Before heading to the NFL Draft in April, these quarterbacks will look to impress coaches and teams at the NFL combine.
The 2023 NFL Draft class is loaded with some quality quarterback talent and NFL coaches, general managers, and team personnel will get an up close and personal look at the incoming prospects at the NFL Combine. 15 quarterbacks have been invited to the event in Indianapolis and will take center stage for their on-field drills on Saturday, March 4th. Though Bryce Young has elected not to throw, some of the other big-name passers like CJ Stroud and Will Levis are scheduled to participate.
Here’s a look at the top five quarterbacks we all get to know before our fantasy football drafts. For a deeper look, be sure to check out Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 Big Board 1.0.
2023 Rookie Quarterback Rankings: Pre-Draft
1. Bryce Young, Alabama: Young is slight of frame at a “generous” six feet tall and 194 pounds, but he’s the best playmaking quarterback in the class. He threw for 3,328 yards and 32 touchdowns with just five interceptions in his final year at Alabama, adding another 185 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He’ll likely be picked by the Houston Texans or Indianapolis Colts within the top four choices.
John David Mercer/USA Today network
2. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State: Stroud improved his NFL draft stock with a sensational performance against Georgia in the College Football Playoff. He finished the 2022 campaign with nearly 3,700 passing yards, 41 touchdown passes and six picks. He isn’t much of a runner (136 combined yards in 26 collegiate games), but Stroud is an accurate passer who could be a top-four overall pick behind Young in the draft.
3. Will Levis, Kentucky: Levis saw some statistical regression last season when we compare it to 2021, but there’s still plenty to like about him. He’s got good size at 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, and he can run with the ball when needed. In 2021, he rushed for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans could have some interest in the top 12.
George Walker IV/USA Today Sports
4. Anthony Richardson, Florida: Richardson might have benefitted from another year in college, but he has a boatload of potential at the next level and in fantasy football. While he needs work as a passer, Richardson is uber athletic and can make plenty of plays with his feet. In fact, he rushed for 654 yards and nine TDs in his 12 games for the Gators last season. The Panthers and Titans would be good fits.
5. Tanner McKee, Stanford: McKee is a big prospect at 6-foot-6 and 228 pounds, making him more of the prototypical NFL passer. He’s not going to do anything on the ground from a fantasy perspective and will need some “seasoning” at the next level, but McKee is a prospect to watch if he lands with the right NFL franchise.
