Mel Kiper ranks Top 10 quarterbacks ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper revealed his top 10 quarterbacks ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. The list features veterans and breakout stars but a quarterback like USC’s Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy this season, is not eligible until next year. But former Heisman winner Bryce Young is on the list but actually is not the top prospect among signal callers, per Kiper.
Heck, it’s not even Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, who’s ranked behind Young in Kiper’s list. Based on the list, there could be numerous first round quarterbacks in April.
Top 10 Quarterbacks in 2023 NFL Draft, per Mel Kiper
1. Will Levis, Kentucky
2. Bryce Young, Alabama
3. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
4. Anthony Richardson, Florida
5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
6. Jaren Hall, BYU
7. Jake Haener, Fresno State
8. Jayden Daniels, LSU
9. Stetson Bennett, Georgia
10. Tanner McKee, Stanford
Just missed: Bo Nix, Oregon; Max Duggan, TCU; Tyson Bagent, Shepherd
There was a lot of conversation regarding Levis as the No. 1 overall pick last winter, prior to the 2022 season. The Kentucky quarterback finished the fall with 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 65.4% completion percentage. In his career with Penn State and Kentucky, he finished with 5,876 yards, 46 touchdowns, 25 interceptions and a 64.9% completion percentage.
Young was a candidate to win the Heisman Trophy for the second straight year but could not duplicate last year’s numbers. However, Young’s been impressive since he stepped foot onto the field for Alabama.
He finished 2022 with 3,007 yards, 27 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 64.1% completion percentage. Last year while leading the Crimson Tide to the national championship game, Young finished with 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 66.9% completion percentage.
Stroud had another great statistical season for the Buckeyes, finishing with 3,340 yards, 37 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 66.2% completion percentage. He was also a Heisman Trophy finalist this season.
Richardson, despite a smaller sample size and up and down games over the course of two seasons, declared for the draft and has a lot of raw talent. He finished his Gators career (22 games) with 3,105 yards, 24 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, a 54.7% completion percentage, 1,116 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
“I thought he made a ton of progress,” Gators coach Billy Napier said of Richardson, via Gators Online. “Most importantly I think as a person, comfort with the role, you know, the leadership aspect. And certainly, I thought he made a lot of progress when it comes to football intelligence and defensive structure, protections. And really, as a first-year starter, increased his value, right? To a point where, you know, the feedback was really positive about maybe where he’s projected.
“Those are really tough decisions on the player, the family, obviously all involved. We tried to get Anthony as much information as possible. He was an absolute pro. And it’s one of those gray area decisions and I think Anthony sees an opportunity. He’s going to work extremely hard to solidify his position in the draft, and he did a lot for the Gators, man. Certainly, proud of him as a person and the way he went about his business and represented this place.”
The NFL Draft begins April 27, 2023.