Texans Not Sold On Non-Bryce Young QBs?
As the Panthers-Bryce Young connection intensifies, the focus could soon shift to the Texans’ decision at No. 2 overall. Thanks to a fourth-and-20 Davis Mills-to-Jordan Akins touchdown heave in Week 18, Houston may have a difficult call to make.
The Texans attempted to acquire the Bears’ No. 1 pick in early March but backed out of the talks late, leaving the door open for the Panthers’ eight-spot jump. That leaves the Texans faced with the prospect of drafting the second-best quarterback available. C.J. Stroud has also been linked to Carolina at 1, but Matt Miller of ESPN.com notes a belief in league circles suggests Houston is not sold on any of the non-Young QBs on the board.
Stroud, Young, Will Levis and Hendon Hooker have visited the Texans during the pre-draft stretch, giving GM Nick Caserio plenty of intel ahead of his third draft in charge. But the team has also hosted Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Houston making the surprise move of drafting Anderson should not be completely ruled out, with Miller adding the team is very high on the two-time Bronko Nagurski award winner. The Texans have Anderson as the highest-ranked player on their board, per Miller.
It is not uncommon for teams with quarterback needs to have non-QBs ranked higher on their draft boards. The Panthers admitted this last year when they faced a quarterback-or-left tackle decision at No. 6 overall. Carolina went with Ikem Ekwonu over ex-Matt Rhule recruit Kenny Pickett. The Texans face a slightly higher-stakes choice at 2, given their draft slot and the team not addressing its QB need since Deshaun Watson‘s off-field trouble surfaced.
Texans ownership is believed to be more involved this year; that could certainly complicate a potential plan to take Anderson over Stroud. But smoke continues to emerge on the team shocking the draft world by passing on the Ohio State product. If the Panthers take Stroud, it would seem the Texans will have an uncomplicated start to the draft. But Young going to Carolina may bring considerable intrigue to the second draft slot. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Houston taking Stroud at No. 2. A trade-down maneuver may also be in play, and if the Texans do make a non-QB pick at 2, the Cardinals figure to field more interesting offers — with Stroud viewed as a safer bet than Levis or Anthony Richardson — at No. 3.
In a scenario in which Stroud remains on the board at No. 3, two of the Texans’ AFC South rivals — the Colts and Titans — would figure to be involved in trade-up talks with the Cards. The Colts’ Stroud visit is set for Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Panthers Not Receiving Calls On No. 1 Pick; Team Down To Two QBs?
It would be unusual for a team to acquire the No. 1 overall pick and then trade out of that slot, but the Panthers did obtain this draft pick several weeks ago. And the team was believed to be comfortable with multiple options in this year’s draft.
But nothing is pointing to Carolina moving back again. The Panthers have not received calls on the No. 1 pick, per David Newton of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Sticking at No. 1 will affect the team’s quarterback search, which still may be a Bryce Young-or-C.J. Stroud call.
Anthony Richardson was on Carolina’s “30” visit schedule, and the Florida product’s athletic profile has generated extensive buzz during the pre-draft process. A report earlier Thursday indicated Richardson remains in the mix for the Panthers at 1. But a Richardson-at-1 plan does not appear to be universally viewed as realistic. The Panthers would likely only consider Richardson if they traded down, per Newton. Given the boom-or-bust strings attached to Richardson — a one-year Florida starter who completed less than 54% of his throws during that slate — it would be a massive risk to bet on the athletic prospect’s upside at No. 1.
Stroud is still scheduled to visit the Panthers on Tuesday, and ESPN’s Matt Miller said he joins Young in having “serious support” in Carolina’s building. But Young has overtaken the two-year Ohio State starter as the favorite. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. swapped the QBs on his most recent mock draft, sliding Stroud down to Houston at No. 2. The growing Panthers-Young connection should still be viewed as an indicator of where this process will end up, Newton adds (on Twitter).
Still, NFL execs, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, view Stroud as the clear-cut second-best QB in this year’s draft who brings prototypical size (6-foot-3) compared to the 5-10 Young. The two-year Crimson Tide starter graded as the polled execs’ most pro-ready passer available. Richardson and Will Levis, who will visit Carolina along with Stroud but is not believed to be in consideration for the Panthers, reside a tier below Young and Stroud here.
The Texans were deep in discussions about moving into the No. 1 slot, and the Bears were interested in a trade that would have seen them drop from 1 to 2 to 9. Houston backed out, but the Panthers and Texans’ involvement in those talks point to the NFC South team being open to multiple QBs and the AFC South franchise clearly preferring one. How the Texans proceed at No. 2 will become more interesting after the Panthers make their choice. It should be expected Carolina is closing in on a consensus, but with the NFL preferring to keep fans in suspense, the pick’s identity may not emerge until Roger Goodell reads the card.
Houston holds intriguing draft capital to move up, having two first- and third-round picks this year and two firsts in 2024, and Carolina did part with a lot to acquire this year’s top pick. Still, dealing such a package — one that included D.J. Moore — and then being fine with the second-best QB in this year’s draft would invite unnecessary risk into the retooled team’s draft. For teams interested in moving up, the Texans may entertain trade offers. The Cardinals are already doing so, with at least six teams having spoken with Arizona about the No. 3 choice.
Panthers To Host C.J. Stroud; Anthony Richardson Still In Mix At No. 1?
The Panthers will conclude their pre-draft quarterback visits next week. After meeting with Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, the team will bring in C.J. Stroud, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Stroud’s visit will overlap with Will Levis‘ previously reported meeting; both QBs are coming to Charlotte on Tuesday. While Stroud is believed to have lost ground to Young to be the top pick, the Ohio State-developed passer is still believed to be in the mix. Richardson might be as well. The former Florida QB remains in consideration for Carolina at No. 1, Joseph Person of The Athletic adds (subscription required).
Richardson, who has consistently been mocked as a top-10 pick, only started one season for the Gators. But the 6-foot-4, 244-pound QB presents a Cam Newton-like athletic profile. Although Richardson completed just 53.8% of his passes last season, his potential ceiling has continued to intrigue teams. While some doubt about teams’ interest in Richardson as a top-three pick has emerged, the Panthers may not have closed the door on what would be a surprising choice at No. 1.
Young emerged last week as the likely Carolina choice at 1, with several Panthers staffers believed to be high on the former Heisman winner. The Panthers taking Richardson over Young or Stroud would qualify as one of the bigger upsets atop the draft in recent history. Then again, the Jaguars made a similar move last year by going with Travon Walker‘s potential over the safer pick in Aidan Hutchinson. Of course, the stakes are a bit higher when this decision involves quarterbacks.
Richardson’s 4.43-second 40-yard dash topped QBs at this year’s Combine, though some of the passers did not partake in the sprint, and his 40.5-inch vertical jump was far and away the best mark at the position. It would still be an upset for the Panthers to take Richardson over Young or Stroud, but the Gainesville native has submitted an interesting case — even if it teems with boom-or-bust potential. Young scored highest on the S2 test, measuring athletes’ information-processing capabilities and decision-making, among this year’s crop, Person adds, noting Panthers owner David Tepper views the test in high regard. Richardson also scored well.
In addition to this upcoming Charlotte trek, Stroud’s pre-draft itinerary has included meetings with the Texans, Colts, Lions and Raiders. Ohio State is soon set to see its past three starting QBs taken in the first round, with Stroud following Justin Fields and the late Dwayne Haskins. Stroud will almost definitely be picked well before either Fields (No. 11) or Haskins (No. 15) were in their respective drafts. While still in play to be the No. 1 pick, Stroud may not fall past the Texans at 2 — should the Panthers go with Young or Richardson at 1.
Stroud carried considerable momentum to be Carolina’s pick coming into last week, but even as the Young buzz has swayed the odds, the ex-Buckeye would be a safer bet compared to Richardson. Stroud finished his two-year run as a Big Ten starter with an 85-to-12 TD-INT ratio. His 6-3 frame would offer the Panthers a more conventional option compared to Young, whose 5-10 stature has created questions that have undercut the Alabama alum’s otherwise sterling profile. Neither Stroud nor Young provided much production on the ground in college, but each presents a decent athletic profile — though, neither is on the level of Richardson in this area.
Lions To Host QB C.J. Stroud
When the Lions acquired Jared Goff as a throw-in piece in 2021’s Matthew Stafford trade, they picked up an extra first-round pick for taking the then-downward-trending quarterback’s contract. Lions brass, however, continued to insist Goff was not viewed internally as a bridge QB. His 2022 play opened the door to a longer-term partnership.
Goff remains attached to his Rams-constructed extension, which runs through 2024, and the Lions passed on opportunities to select a quarterback in 2021 and ’22. While the organization remains committed to Goff, finding a potential successor is not exactly off the radar. Dan Campbell confirmed as much recently, and the team has Hendon Hooker on its pre-draft visit list.
A bigger name has emerged on that list. C.J. Stroud will visit the Lions this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Stroud is widely expected to be drafted before the Lions go on the clock (No. 6 overall, via the Rams), but Detroit will still do some additional work on the latest Ohio State-developed passer set to become a first-round pick. The Lions have used one first-round pick on a passer over the past two decades, with their Stafford choice starting the 2009 draft.
Stroud remains in consideration, along with Bryce Young, to go first overall to the Panthers. If Carolina goes with Young’s upside and leaves the 6-foot-3 Stroud on the board, QB-needy teams will certainly be monitoring the Texans at No. 2.
Rumblings on Houston not being committed to drafting a QB at 2 continue to surface, and the team’s talks with Chicago on trading up for No. 1 suggest the Nick Caserio-led franchise believes a value gap exists between Young and Stroud or vice versa. Should the Texans pass (for Will Anderson Jr. or a trade-down maneuver), the Cardinals should see interest in their No. 3 pick intensify. Arizona has heard from at least six teams about that pick. A pre-draft trade is unlikely, as teams will surely want to see how the board looks after two picks.
Lions GM Brad Holmes was with the Rams when they traded up for Goff. The Lions would certainly be a dark-horse candidate to move up, given Goff’s 2022 resurgence and manageable contract ($33MM per year). The Colts, Raiders and Titans have been linked to trade-up maneuvers, with the Seahawks and others lurking. Should a third quarterback go off the board before the Lions go on the clock at 6, at least one more high-end non-QB prospect will be there for Campbell’s team, who can bolster its roster with the two first-round picks it carries.
Stroud’s draft stock has soared higher than Buckeye predecessors Justin Fields or Dwayne Haskins‘, with his dominant showing against eventual champion Georgia nearly moving Ohio State into the national championship game. Stroud combined for 85 touchdown passes and just 12 interceptions during his two starter seasons, finishing in the top four in each of the past two Heisman votes.
But the Lions, who also hold the No. 18 overall pick, will continue to conduct QB research before the draft. They will gather some more info on Stroud, joining other teams here. Stroud’s Colts meeting, which comes after his California-based workout with the AFC South team, is set for this week as well. Most of the teams picking in the top eight will go through meetings with Stroud during the pre-draft interview process. Stroud’s all-important Panthers meeting has also yet to transpire.
Draft Rumors: Young, Panthers, Stroud, Texans, Colts, Smith, Lions, WRs, Cardinals, Titans, Falcons, Johnston, Jaguars, Vikings
The Panthers have not locked onto Bryce Young just yet, but the pendulum continues to swing toward the Alabama prospect over C.J. Stroud. David and Nicole Tepper spent extensive time with Young’s parents at Alabama’s pro day last month, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, and Michael Lombardi said during his GM Shuffle podcast the Carolina owner met with Nick Saban in the Crimson Tide HC’s office during the pro day. This comes after reports last week began to stray from the Stroud-to-Charlotte narrative, one that formed largely because Young stands 5-foot-10 and plays under 200 pounds (despite his 204-pound Combine weight).
Carolina will meet with Young on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, with Breer adding Young has already impressed Frank Reich in previous settings. It will be interesting to see if more smoke emerges here, as the Panthers do not exactly have to keep this a secret given their updated draft position, or if Stroud remains in the mix. Many scouts and execs polled by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Stroud’s 6-3, 214-pound frame make him safer and will help him become Carolina’s choice, though that poll still produced a slim advantage for Young to go No. 1 overall. Despite the Panthers meeting with Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, it certainly looks like Young or Stroud will be the pick.
Here is the latest from the draft scene:
- The Colts discussed the No. 1 pick with the Bears before the Panthers won out, but Breer adds Indianapolis was not ready to do a deal before free agency. The team was still in the process of evaluating the QB prospects and was not prepared to part with significant capital to move up from No. 4 to No. 1. Houston also backed out, having been farther down the road in trade talks with Chicago. Bears GM Ryan Poles spoke of his team trading down twice — moving from 1 to 2 to 9, allowing the Texans and Panthers to climb up for QBs — but Breer notes Nick Caserio‘s team became uncomfortable with the deal later in the process.
- Texans ownership is more involved in this year’s draft process, per Breer, who is less bullish on Houston selecting a quarterback compared to how this situation looked ahead of the Combine. The Texans’ negotiations with the Bears unmasked them as being willing to trade up for one particular quarterback, potentially pointing to the team being high on either Stroud or Young but not as sold on the other. Since the Panthers obtained the pick, the Texans have been connected to possibly punting on their QB need and taking Will Anderson Jr.. A trade-down scenario, per Breer, should also not be discounted.
- Nolan Smith is gaining steam during the pre-draft process, with Fowler noting some scouts are pegging the edge rusher as a top-10 pick. The Lions (Nos. 6, 18) have done homework on the Georgia outside linebacker, per Fowler, and the Patriots (No. 14), Buccaneers (No. 19), Ravens (No. 22) and Jaguars (No. 24) have met with Smith. Scouts view the 238-pound defender as a better fit for a team in a 3-4 scheme, and the Steelers (No. 17) — long users of that base alignment — have emerged as a potential Smith floor.
- More teams are bringing in TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Following a report that indicated the Ravens, Cowboys and Chiefs were hosting Johnston, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the 6-foot-3 pass catcher will meet with the Cardinals, Falcons (No. 8), Vikings (No. 23) and Jaguars. Most of these visits will occur this week, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who adds the Titans (No. 11) huddled up with the ex-Horned Frog on Monday (Twitter link). Barring a fall into Round 2 or the Cards moving down considerably from No. 3 overall, Johnston would not seem in their range. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Vikings selecting Johnston. This receiver class has generated mixed reviews, with NBC Sports’ Peter King adding teams have the higher-end wideouts in varying orders on their respective boards, but Johnston has consistently been mocked as a first-rounder.
Panthers Leaning Toward Bryce Young?
In what looks to be signaling a shift, Bryce Young is looking like a strong candidate to go No. 1 overall now. Although C.J. Stroud continues to be the leadoff man in the major mock drafts, Young-Panthers links are multiplying.
Even as Panthers-Stroud connections persist, Frank Reich-driven height concerns re: Young might be overblown. Carolina’s trade-up may have been Young-centered all along, with ESPN’s Chris Mortensen indicating during a recent TV appearance (h/t Panthers On Tap) the Alabama prospect will likely be the No. 1 overall pick.
A report from longtime NFL insider Peter King revealed Young has plenty of support in Carolina’s building, and Mortensen confirms the Panthers are big fans of the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner. While Young’s 5-foot-10 stature and slender frame has injected uncertainty into an otherwise standout prospect’s viability, he displayed high-level accuracy and pocket movement during a dominant two-year run as the Crimson Tide’s starter.
Young is set to become the third straight Alabama starting quarterback to be a first-round pick, and he will undoubtedly be selected higher than Tua Tagovailoa (No. 5) and Mac Jones (15) were in their respective drafts. Mortensen also likened this Panthers situation to the 49ers’ 2021 process, doubling down on the notion San Francisco indeed had Jones in mind when it traded up nine spots to No. 3 that year. The 49ers’ course change to Trey Lance is close to being viewed as one of the bigger draft missteps — considering what the team gave up to obtain that pick — in recent draft history, and Mortensen said the Panthers should be expected to stick with their initial preference (Young) instead of going through with a size-based Stroud pivot.
Young would obviously bring a considerably different type of QB into the building compared to the last time Carolina selected a passer at No. 1. At 6-3 and 214 pounds, Stroud is also not especially close to Cam Newton here (6-5, 245). Reich has been mentioned as preferring big-frame QBs, but this will be his first significant draft choice at the position as a head coach. Though, he was the Eagles’ OC when they traded up for the 6-5 Carson Wentz in 2016. Panthers GM Scott Fitterer was with the Seahawks when they drafted Russell Wilson. While drafting a quarterback 75th overall is rather different than a No. 1 pick, Fitterer has obviously seen a short quarterback enjoy tremendous success up close.
Reich and Fitterer have brought several Panthers staffers into this process, and the new HC is not viewed as likely to overturn a consensus. The Panthers taking this route would leave Stroud on the board for the Texans, who have been more connected to Young during the pre-draft process. Stroud met with the Texans on Wednesday.
Raiders To Host C.J. Stroud, Hendon Hooker
It can be safely assumed the Raiders are giving strong consideration to drafting a quarterback in either the first or second round. The AFC West team will have met with each of the top five prospects at the position before the pre-draft process wraps.
The Raiders have scheduled visits with C.J. Stroud and Hendon Hooker, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer (on Twitter). Will Levis has already met with the Silver and Black, while Anthony Richardson‘s first visit will send him to Las Vegas. Bryce Young is heading to Nevada on Thursday. Hooker and Stroud will be Vegas-bound next week.
Stroud is widely considered to be out of the Raiders’ range. The latest Ohio State-developed QB standout has been frequently connected to the Panthers at No. 1 overall. Were Carolina to pass and go with Young, Houston would undoubtedly be interested at No. 2. Though, the Texans may not be fully committed to going quarterback at 2. While Josh McDaniels and Nick Caserio worked together for much of their careers, it would surprise if the Raiders were able to pull off a trade with the Texans to move up five spots. But a climb to No. 3 (the Cardinals’ slot) has been rumored.
The Raiders, who have not taken a first-round quarterback since their disastrous JaMarcus Russell choice in 2007, have built an onramp for a potential QB choice. They have Jimmy Garoppolo on a three-year deal that features barely $33MM guaranteed, and the team agreed to terms with Brian Hoyer earlier this week. The team has other needs to address with early-round draft picks, and its 2022 Davante Adams trade prevented McDaniels and Co. from making first- or second-round picks last year. But McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler were regulars at QB pro days; the team will now devote a sixth of its 30 allotted pre-draft visits to the game’s premier position.
Following ex-Buckeyes Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields, Stroud will be taken early in the first round — most likely within the top two picks. Stroud quarterbacked Ohio State into the College Football Playoff last season and led the Big Ten power in a semifinal shootout against eventual champion Georgia, throwing four touchdown passes against a dominant Bulldogs defense. Stroud threw at least 40 touchdown passes in each of his two starter seasons, though he targeted nothing but first-round wideouts (Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave), first-round prospects (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) or potential future Round 1-level talents (Marvin Harrison, Emeka Egbuka).
Las Vegas also holds this draft’s No. 38 overall pick. That could be relevant regarding Hooker, who is coming off a November ACL tear. The Tennessee prospect visited the Saints this week and will meet with the Commanders as well. New Orleans holds the Nos. 29 and 40 overall picks; Washington has picks 16 and 47. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah grades Hooker as this year’s 44th-best prospect. He is the only QB in that range and represents an interesting option for teams unable to land one of the draft’s higher-regarded arms.
Hooker finished fifth in last year’s Heisman voting, despite missing two games due to the severe injury, but laid the groundwork for Ohio State’s CFP bid by leading an upset over Alabama. Hooker is 25, which has given some teams pause, but the former Virginia Tech recruit finished his SEC career with a 58-to-5 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio. He led the Volunteers to five wins over ranked teams as a senior. Putting Hooker behind an injury-prone Garoppolo would be an interesting strategy for the Raiders, but Garoppolo staying relatively healthy would also allow for an extended Hooker developmental period.
Colts Working Out QBs Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis
APRIL 4: Indianapolis brass will go through an important week. In addition to the Stroud and Young meetings, the Colts plan to work out Levis on Thursday in Lexington, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. The Colts are also working out Richardson.
These meetings will carry significant weight. Despite the league knowing the Colts need a quarterback, the AFC South club did not have a representative at Levis’ pro day. Area scout Mike Lacy was the Colts’ only rep at Ohio State’s pro day, and Breer adds chief personnel executive Morocco Brown served as the Indy presence at Alabama’s. These are rather light contingents compared to most teams’ groups, but the Colts will clearly place more stock in their one-on-one sessions. Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock has the Colts selecting Levis; Todd McShay’s has them trading up to No. 3 for Richardson.
APRIL 3: The team perhaps mentioned most frequently with respect to quarterback speculation this offseason has been the Colts. Set to draft fourth overall, they will have the chance to add a long-term signal-caller, though their options are expected to be limited to a degree. In spite of that, the team is committed to doing their homework on the top prospects at the position. 
Indianapolis is set to hold workouts today with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, reports Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link). Those two are widely regarded as the top passers in the 2023 class, leading to the expectation that they will be taken first and second overall (in one order or the other) by the Panthers and Texans.
Presuming that happens, the Colts will need to turn to either Anthony Richardson or Will Levis if they wish to select a quarterback; a number of options at other positions will be available as well, of course. Breer notes that Indianapolis elected to not send a large contingent of coaches, scouts and executives to last week’s quarterback Pro Days, preferring to hold private workouts with potential draftees instead.
Young is seen by many as the top QB available, after his highly productive tenure with Alabama. The 2021 Heisman winner took a step back in terms of production this past season, but still showcased his abilities as a passer and, occasionally, a rusher. His frame has led to notable concerns about his ability to translate his success to the pro game, though the strengths of the other elements of his game and his pre-draft process to date have alleviated some of them.
Stroud likewise delivered on high expectations at Ohio State while serving as their QB1. Putting up two campaigns with substantial production, he projects as the most traditional NFL passer given his combination of size and accuracy. Those factors have led many to believe he is the favorite to be taken first overall, with an apparent floor of the No. 2 spot owned by the Texans.
The Colts are taking an expansive view of all (potential) options under center, as they look to make this the final offseason for many years in which they search for a new quarterback atop the depth chart. They signed Gardner Minshew during free agency, and have been loosely connected to pursuing Lamar Jackson, though an addition of the latter remains unlikely at this point. The team has remained steadfast in their preference for a rookie to take on the starting role relatively soon, and for the long-term future. Young and Stroud most closely fit the bill in that regard, and Indianapolis will be well-informed should either slide down the board to them.
Texans, Lions, Bears Host Will Anderson Jr.; Houston Not Locked Into QB At No. 2?
Pre-draft visit season is in full swing, and the Texans are once again in possession of a top-three pick. The rebuilding team has long been expected to go with a quarterback at No. 2 overall, but GM Nick Caserio has not yet rushed into choosing a potential long-term Deshaun Watson replacement.
The Texans have met with Will Anderson Jr., Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Houston joins Chicago and Detroit in having met with the sought-after edge rusher. The Bears and Lions have made their plans known at quarterback, committing to Justin Fields and Jared Goff for 2023. The Texans’ meeting obviously proves more interesting.
Houston has been linked to Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. Young and Will Levis have met with the Texans on pre-draft visits, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds Stroud will do so Wednesday (Twitter link). Expected to be the second team to take a quarterback in this draft, the Texans are not a lock to do so. Were Caserio not to love a quarterback who will be available at 2, NBC Sports’ Peter King hears some chatter the Texans could draft Anderson, who is considered a safer bet. The team has not scheduled a meeting with Florida’s Anthony Richardson.
In this scenario, King notes the Texans could use their No. 12 overall pick to trade back into position for one of the top quarterbacks. But taking Anderson at 2 and sacrificing future draft capital for perhaps the draft’s third- or fourth-best QB may not be the best plan from a value standpoint, but if the Texans like Anderson that much, it is a potential blueprint to monitor. The Texans do not have much in the way of edge talent, having lost Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to the Browns in free agency. DeMeco Ryans built his head coaching candidacy on the strength of strong defensive lines. The Texans have signed Sheldon Rankins and still have Maliek Collins under contract, but they are light on edge-rushing presences.
This should still be considered the less likely route for Houston, and King expects Caserio to indeed commit to a quarterback at 2. This marks the GM’s second draft with Watson in the rearview mirror, and after making his first two HC hires (David Culley, Lovie Smith) one-and-dones, Caserio has likely moved closer to the hot seat. Passing on a quarterback — potentially a former Heisman winner in Young, as the Panthers have been more closely linked to Stroud as of late — in this spot will inject more risk into Caserio’s situation.
Anderson has recorded 27.5 sacks over the past two seasons; ESPN’s Scouts Inc. grades the two-time Bronko Nagurski trophy recipient as the second-best prospect in this year’s draft. Anderson sits between Young and Stroud on that list, further illustrating the risk the Texans would take by going with the acclaimed edge rusher. Both Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay’s most recent mock drafts have Houston taking Young at 2.
Holding the No. 6 pick, the Lions may be sitting a bit low for Anderson, who would obviously make for an intriguing pass rusher on an Aidan Hutchinson-anchored defensive line. Three quarterbacks are expected to be taken in the top five, though Richardson and Levis’ statuses are more difficult to peg compared to Stroud and Young’s. Anderson’s availability could depend on where the Cardinals end up — should they trade out of No. 3 overall — and how the Seahawks proceed at 5. Even if all four top QBs go in the top five, it would still leave one slot available for Anderson, whom both McShay and Kiper have as the first non-passer off the board. The Bears are eyeing pass-rushing help, but Anderson will probably be out of their reach at No. 9.
Breakdown Of Top 2023 QB Draft Prospects
After last year’s draft, which saw only one quarterback taken in the first two rounds, this year’s draft class boasts a bit more top talent at the NFL’s signature position. The group’s superior personnel has already created a small amount of chaos atop the draft order with Carolina trading into the No. 1 overall pick. With three of the teams drafting at the top of the first round expected to have a need for a new quarterback, and several others having the option to trade up for one, there is a consensus that four quarterbacks should hear their names called on the night of April 27.
Teams interested in a new passer will have their choice between whoever is left of Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and Kentucky’s Will Levis. Below, we’ll explore the benefits offered by each young quarterback and provide some reasoning as to why they may or may not hear their names called first.
Bryce Young
Not only was Young the best recruit in his state or at his position coming out of high school, the young athlete out of Mater Dei (California) was rated as the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in 2020, according to 247sports.com. He committed to nearby USC with two years left of high school play but flipped his commitment to Alabama at the beginning of his senior year.
Young played sparingly as a freshman in Tuscaloosa, backing up junior starter Mac Jones. With Jones having departed for the NFL, Young took over the Crimson Tide offense as a sophomore. He took the college football world by storm in 2021, completing 66.91% of his passes for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions. He took Alabama to the title game, falling to Georgia but stoking early perceptions of himself as a future No. 1 overall draft pick. In 2022, Young continued to impress despite the loss of several top receivers, two to the first two rounds of the previous year’s draft. He completed 64.47% of his passes for 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Young came into college as the nation’s top dual-threat passer but never developed as much of a rusher at Alabama. Instead, he utilized his versatility to be an effective passer on the run. Young’s eyes and mind work fast through progressions and help him to anticipate throwing lanes at an elite level. He’s adapted to his smaller size in terms of vision, but he requires his lower body to make strong throws. Teams don’t seem to worry about his lack of size as much as his durability. In a league that’s already seen success from a smaller quarterback in Kyler Murray, Young is expected to become a starting quarterback at the NFL level before long.
C.J. Stroud
Not far from Young in the southern California area, Stroud came out of the same class out of Rancho Cucamonga (California). Not quite as touted as Young, Stroud still boasted five stars as the nation’s second-best pro-style quarterback, according to 247. He made his decision late in the process but enrolled early shortly after committing to Ohio State.
Stroud also sat his true freshman season, redshirting behind starter Justin Fields. He was easily as productive as Young in their first years starting. In 2021, Stroud completed 71.88% of his passes for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns while only tossing six interceptions. Last year, Stroud, too, saw a bit of a drop-off in production, losing two receivers in the first round, but still impressed while completing 66.32% of his passes for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Stroud seems to be the most prototypical of the four options. His size, strength, and athleticism all signify a routine pro quarterback. His size gives him an ideally strong platform from which to throw and allows him to layer balls into short and intermediate levels over lineman and backers. The size does limit his agility, making him slow out of breaks and inaccurate when throwing on the run. His biggest strength, though, is his pure passing ability. He throws a strong, tight ball in a smooth motion, resulting in passes that receivers love to catch. His traditional quarterback makeup could be what makes him so attractive to a team like the Panthers at No. 1.
Anthony Richardson
Richardson is far and away the wild card of this group. A consensus four-star, dual-threat quarterback out of Eastside (Florida), Richardson stayed home in Gainesville for college after some back-and-forth on his commitment to the Gators.
Richardson is the least experienced of the four top options at quarterback. Richardson redshirted behind Kyle Trask as a freshman and sat behind Emory Jones as a sophomore. It wasn’t until last year that Richardson found himself starting behind center. Unlike the unquestionable success of Young and Stroud, Richardson’s results were hardly as impressive. Last season, Richardson completed 53.82% of his passes for 2,529 yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing nine interceptions. He did display a stronger rushing ability than the above two, racking up 654 yards on 103 rushing attempts and tacking on nine scores with his legs. As a starter for the Gators, Richardson ended college with a 6-7 record.
Despite the seemingly mediocre production, Richardson has skyrocketed up draft boards as pundits have fallen in love with his potential. Richardson has a large frame, similar to Stroud, but boasts an athleticism that makes it much more dangerous. His size and burst make him reminiscent of a young Cam Newton with the ball in his hands. Richardson has a rocket for an arm, completing easy throws with only a flick of the wrist. The physical frame and abilities are there in a raw form, but much molding is necessary. He’s extremely inconsistent in his decision-making and accuracy, resulting in dangerous passes into a crowd and misses that never stand a chance of hitting their targets.
This is a common high-risk, high-reward situation with drafting quarterbacks. Richardson could develop into an All-Pro or flame out, unable to make the most of his abilities.
Will Levis
Levis is another curious prospect whose production doesn’t quite match his hype as a top draft pick. A three-star prospect leaving Xavier (Connecticut), Levis committed to Penn State as part of the 2018 recruiting class. After redshirting as a freshman, Levis sat for two years behind Sean Clifford before transferring to Kentucky.
Levis took over as an immediate starter in Lexington and won 10 games for the Wildcats in 2021, completing 66.01% of his passes for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns while tossing 13 interceptions. Levis also displayed an ability to run the ball that year, producing 376 yards and nine touchdowns. When Wan’Dale Robinson and Josh Ali departed for the NFL, Levis’s production suffered as a result. In 2022, injuries and the loss of his top targets led to a down year in which he completed 65.37% of his passes for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, all without displaying the rushing ability of prior years.
Like Richardson, Levis boasts the size, arm strength, and athleticism that make him an extremely attractive prospect on paper. There are latent abilities available within Levis, but a lack of sound technique and procedure hold Levis back from his full potential. He can throw strong balls through tight windows but also struggles with consistent accuracy. He is physical and tough but needs that toughness when standing too long in the pocket. There are strong tools to utilize at the NFL level, but it will likely take time and a good coach preaching strong technique in order for Levis to become a strong starter at the next level. Teams want him to be the next Josh Allen, but he has a way to go in order to get there.
There we have it: two strong options who seem ready to start in Week 1 and two developmental projects who could turn into stars in the right system. Which team needs which quarterback the most? Tell us in the comments who you’d want your team to take a chance on.