Mel Kiper ranks top 10 quarterbacks in 2023 NFL Draft

On3 imageby:On3 Staff Report02/01/23
CJ Stroud, Will Levis, Bryce Young
Images edited by On3 (Photos By: Gregory Shamus, left | Andy Lyons, middle | Emilee Chinn, right - Getty Images)

As the 2023 NFL Draft process begins, with the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., taking place and the NFL Combine not too far off, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper has put out his early position rankings. His list of the top 10 quarterbacks will draw plenty of interest.

Topping the list for Kiper is Kentucky‘s Will Levis at No. 1. Interestingly enough, Kiper also has another SEC fan favorite further down his list with Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett checking in at No. 8.

Let’s dive into Kiper’s complete top 10 quarterbacks ranking below.

Mel Kiper Top 10 Quarterbacks – 2023 NFL Draft

1. Will Levis, Kentucky: Levis helped lead Kentucky to a seven-win season and a bowl appearance. He’s a prototypical dropback passer ready-made for a pro scheme, but he’s also got some mobility. Levis went 185-of-283 passing for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns, against 10 interceptions. He also rushed for two scores.

2. Bryce Young, Alabama: If not for a shoulder injury that limited him in the middle of the season, Young might have captained Alabama to another College Football Playoff berth. Instead he finihsed 245-of-380 passing for 3,328 yards with 32 touchdowns against just five interceptions. He also added 185 yards and four touchdowns rushing.

3. CJ Stroud, Ohio State: The Ohio State quarterback answered a lot of questions with a terrific showing in the playoffs against Georgia. He finished the 2022 season 258-of-389 passing for 3,688 yards with 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

4. Anthony Richardson, Florida: Perhaps the biggest boom or bust prospect in the entire draft, Richardson had a wildly up and down 2022 season at Florida. He finished with 2,549 yards passing, throwing 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. But he also added 654 yards rushing and nine scores on the ground. He’s perphaps the best dual-threat prospect in the draft.

5. Clayton Tune, Houston: Tune posted some wild numbers with the Cougars, topping 4,000 yards passing with 40 touchdowns. He threw just 10 interceptions. He can also run, having logged 546 yards and five touchdowns on the ground as a senior in 2022.

6. Jaren Hall, BYU: Hall took a big step forward as a junior, managing to go 248-of-376 passing for 3,171 yards with 31 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He’s also a bit of a dual-threat prospect, having run for 346 yards and three touchdowns.

7. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee: Hooker might have put up the best numbers of anyone on this list if not for an injury late in the 2022 season. Even so he finished 229-of-329 passing for 3,135 yards with 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also ran for 430 yards and five touchdowns and is a strong dual-threat prospect.

8. Stetson Bennett, Georgia: Bennett’s size will be the main thing that keeps him from being drafted higher, because the tape and production in college were fantastic. He finished 2022 310-of-454 passing for 4,127 yards and 27 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also ran for 205 yards and 10 scores.

9. Jake Haener, Fresno State: Haener had a productive season for the Bulldogs, going 252-of-350 passing for 2,896 yards and 20 touchdowns, against just three interceptions. He added two rushing scores but isn’t much of a threat on the ground.

10. Tanner McKee, Stanford: McKee was one of the better quarterbacks out west, managing to compile a 264-of-426 passing line for 2,947 yards and 13 touchdowns. He did throw eight interceptions.

Just Missed the Top 10 Quarterbacks List: Max Duggan, TCU; Tyson Bagent, Shepherd; Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA; Aidan O’Connell, Purdue