I usually start these with some long-winded and extremely unnecessary preamble, just verbose enough to satisfy my ego, but no beating around the bush today. Let’s dive right in.

1. C.J. Stroud

NFL Comparison: Jared Goff

Measurements: 6’3, 214 pounds

As the #1 quarterback on my board, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud should be the first player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

By some distance, Stroud is the most well-rounded quarterback in this year’s class. Size? Check. Arm strength? Check. Accuracy? Check. Athleticism? Check. Physically, he’s as good as they come, and upstairs, it’s the same story (No, I’m not buying into his S2 test results). His pocket presence is fantastic, and his decision making is near surgical. Stroud goes through his progressions incredibly well, and has an innate ability to remain calm under fire, two traits that will take him far in the NFL. Nothing phases Stroud, end of story.

However, the biggest knock on Stroud is the “it” factor, or lack thereof. Where’s the pop, the juice, the fire? He’s accurate, sure, but what else? It’s an entirely valid concern, but also one that shouldn’t sway teams away from drafting him. He’s big, he’s tall, and he’s accurate, and his floor is noticeably higher than his fellow prospects. There’s simply too much to like about C.J. Stroud, and NFL GMs shouldn’t overthink this one. He’s about 85-90% as talented as the #2 quarterback on this list, but has the physical tools to ensure longevity in the NFL, in way that his peers don’t. In the best way possible, he’s a more athletic version of Jared Goff.

2. Bryce Young

NFL Comparison: Drew Brees

Measurements: 5’10, 204 pounds

What Alabama quarterback Bryce Young may lack in size, he more than makes up for with his accuracy, awareness, and overall touch on the football. He’s the most polished thrower in this year’s draft, and is also the most pro-ready. His “feel” for the game is remarkable, and there’s a certain sixth-sense to his passing, especially in the pocket. He reads the game incredibly well, and has a fantastic understanding of coverages and where various soft-spots may lie. Young regularly attacks all three levels of the field, and often uses his eyes to manipulate defenses, an incredibly rare trait to find in young signal callers. In terms of talent, Young is easily the most talented quarterback in this year’s class, but exhibits one major flaw: size.

Standing at a generous 5’10, 204 pounds, it’s incredibly hard to look past his small frame. People will point to the likes of Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, or even Tua Tagovailoa as an argument in defense of Young, but fail to realize the differences between those three quarterbacks. Murray and Wilson are elite at escaping pressure and rolling outside the pocket, and for all of Tagovailoa’s physical deficiencies, he’s a far stockier, thicker player than Young. In fact, at least in terms of size, Bryce Young actually compares more to a Doug Flutie.

A dome would suit Young well, and would likely prolong his NFL career, keeping him away from the elements and the harsh conditions of December and January football. Houston, anyone?

3. Anthony Richardson

NFL Comparison: Cam Newton

Measurements: 6’4, 244 pounds

Perhaps the most polarizing player in this year’s draft, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson comes in at #3 on my board. While Richardson often struggles with his footwork, has wonky mechanics, and shows a general lack of awareness in the pocket, he also possesses the best arm in this year’s draft class (by some distance), and has the ability to make throws that other quarterbacks simply can’t make. Off platform, on the run, outside the numbers, you name it. Richardson can do it all, but struggles too often with the simplicities of the game. It’s not about making a highlight-reel throw every other game, but rather the 40 throws you make before that to get your team into consistent scoring positions, week after week after week. Death by a thousand cuts, not via a missile launcher.

People often speak about “project” quarterbacks, and Richardson certainly fits that bill. His success in the NFL will ultimately depend on where he lands, as a stable organization, solid head coach, and crafty general manager behind him could see Richardson turn into one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. However, without that initial support, Richardson could end up a disaster. High ceiling, extremely low floor. There’s one every year, folks.

4. Will Levis

NFL Comparison: Ryan Tannehill

Measurements: 6’4, 229 pounds

Is he Josh Allen? Is he Ryan Leaf?

Well, he’s Will Levis. The Kentucky gunslinger boasts an impressive frame, and has the arm to go with it. He’s athletic enough to make throws outside the pocket, and can also occasionally make throws off platform.

However, he rarely throws his receivers open, and has trouble processing coverages, neither of which bode well for success in the NFL. His decision making is nothing to write home about either, as Levis regularly missed wide-open receivers at Kentucky. There’s still enough positives with Levis though, and he does receive a 1st-Round grade in my book, albeit on the lower end.

5. Hendon Hooker

NFL Comparison: Teddy Bridgewater

Measurements: 6’3, 217 pounds

The senior citizen of the bunch, 25-year-old Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker rounds out my list. Hooker’s mechanics are solid, and he has enough arm strength to push the football both down the field, as well as outside the numbers. He’s an accurate thrower of the football (69.6% in 2022), and is also athletic enough to make the occasional throw outside the pocket.

However, questions surround Hooker about his ability to translate his game to the NFL. At Tennessee, he took charge of a vertical-spread offense, a scheme that seldom works in the NFL. Receivers are spread extremely wide, and the offense relies on manufactured spacing and misdirection to gain yards. In other words, Hooker is rarely asked to go through his progressions, and doesn’t make many decisions on the fly, two traits that are absolutely crucial at the next level. When the windows get that much tighter, you’ve got to learn to make something happen, and I don’t know if Hooker has that spark in him. Consequently, his ceiling is fairly low, and he will likely provide the most value as a backup in the NFL.