2023 Top 10 Rookie Quarterback Prospects

We have been seeing many 2023 NFL Draft mocks over the last few weeks and draft slots have been changing like crazy throughout the college football season. Some teams aren’t ready to admit their season is over, but they have to look at players to help improve their squads. Landing a true difference-maker can make an immediate impact. 

One true piece that teams look for is quarterbacks. These are subject to change as the 2023 NFL Draft slowly nears, but here are my 2023 Top 10 Rookie Quarterback Prospects. 

1. Bryce Young, Alabama

Bryce Young comes in as my top quarterback and should be the first offensive player drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s been a dominant quarterback over the last two years and also won the Heisman last year. Coming in at 6’0, 194 pounds may throw up a red flag for NFL teams as undersized. I would fret against that as his vision and scrambling ability is second to none in my mind.

Young can maneuver around the pocket to extend plays. His accuracy in throwing at a standstill or on the move gives him the ability to be a great quarterback at the next level. Young should be the first player off the board when the 2023 NFL Draft comes around and will likely be your 1.01 in Superflex and 2-Quarterback dynasty rookie drafts. 

2. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

I have a hard time ranking any Ohio State quarterbacks high, and I’m hoping C.J. Stroud can buck that trend. For this reason, he is my #2 quarterback of the class.

Just like young, Stroud has everything you want to see in these next-level quarterbacks. He may not have the arm strength of Young but his accuracy (71.6% career) is what keeps him near the top. He’s a more polished passer than Justin Fields was at Ohio State, who can also scramble and make accurate throws on the run.

3. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee 

I feel after the top two quarterbacks are off the board, it gets a little murky. One of my favorite prospects has really moved up quite a bit and that’s where I have Hendon Hooker slated. Until proven otherwise, I don’t see Hooker falling down the ranks. He’s starting to push himself into the 1st Round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The knocks on him are that this is his fifth college season and that he’ll be 25 at the NFL Draft.

Overall though, Hooker has the skills and ability to be a starting quarterback at the next level. His accuracy (71%) and lack of turnovers (2) are something to get excited over. He didn’t even turn over the ball much (7) in his two years starting at Virginia Tech. 

4. Will Levis, Kentucky

When you look at his overall stats (1,903 yards, 16 touchdowns, eight interceptions ) Will Levis doesn’t really look like an NFL-ready quarterback. The Kentucky offense is very basic, and the offensive line breaks down quickly on most plays. Recency bias will have everyone looking at his game in a 44-6 loss to Tennessee. Levis went 16/27 (59.2%) for 98 yards and three interceptions.

Lastly, Levis is not rushing like he did last season either as he’s been sacked more this season (24) than all of last season (16). The bright side of him though is his arm strength. He can throw it deep and also into tight windows. He just needs to work on his ball security and timing and he’ll climb up draft boards in this 2023 class.

5. K.J. Jefferson, Arkansas 

If you have been watching any Arkansas game, you have heard K.J. Jefferson’s name early and often. I love how isn’t afraid to run the ball on RPOs as he has that Konami code ability (117 attempts, 425 yards, six touchdowns) that we are seeing more and more in today’s NFL. His accuracy has also improved along with the mechanics of throwing the ball.

In light of all these improvements, Jefferson has an astonishing touchdown to interception ratio (17:3) that tops the SEC. What once started out as a potential 5th Round pick is moving up the boards.

6. Jaren Hall, BYU

If you haven’t heard the Russell Wilson comparisons then you haven’t been paying attention to Jaren Hall. Hall is a two-sport player at BYU and he shows his baseball abilities on the football field. With pinpoint accuracy, mobility, and athleticism he’s been stellar. He’s not afraid to throw on the run.

I watched many of Hall’s game highlights and noticed a lot in his play in the game versus Oregon. The only knock I have on him is he could lead his receivers if he could just work on that ball placement. 

7. Anthony Richardson, Florida

The 2022 season started as a roller coaster for Anthony Richardson. Over his last three games, he’s shown more consistency and overall improvement. He showed well against Texas A&M going 17/28 for 201 yards and two touchdowns along with seven rushes for another 78 yards and two more touchdowns.

He’s starting to move back up my draft rankings. Richardson has hints of Josh Allen in his game being a dual-threat quarterback. Love the talent, it’s just super raw. He will more than likely be a project quarterback for a team if he comes out next year in this 2023 class. 

8. Jayden Daniels, LSU 

Truly more people will now know who Jayden Daniels is after LSU’s overtime win over Alabama this past Saturday. Daniels has improved immensely after transferring last year from Arizona State. His completion percentage (69.8%) along with 14 passing touchdowns and one interception. Not to mention also his 619 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. On the other hand, he has been sacked 31 times. He needs to work on reading defenses better, especially when it comes to blitzes. 

9. Tanner McKee, Stanford 

All things considered, when it comes to true pocket passers, Tanner McKee is the kind of quarterback you look for. He doesn’t have any rushing upside like most quarterbacks you see in today’s games (55 attempts, -60 yards). He does though have that deep pass ability along with being able to throw into tight windows.

Since Stanford’s offense hasn’t been helping McKee out as much, the limitations show in his stat lines. Even though he’s got a plus arm, his receiving core has been injured lately in his last few games, causing his overall stats (2,208 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions) to take a hit.

10. Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Finally, it’s crazy to see how well the ex-Indiana player has transitioned to Washington’s offense. For the first eight games, Michael Penix has thrown for over 300 yards, missing Week 10 by two yards. Penix has been on fire this season leading the FBS in passing yards (3,232) and 13th (23) in passing touchdowns.

Penix Jr. shows good vision and instinct and has no problem making pass plays on the run. He also has a great deep ball that is very accurate, as he throws it with confidence. Coming in as my current QB10, that wraps up this list of top 2023 rookie quarterback prospects.

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