The 2023 NFL Draft will begin with a quarterback decision, and by the end of the first round, an additional four QBs could very well have come off the board. There have only been four other instances in NFL history when five different signal-callers went on Day 1, but all indications are that’s a real possibility this year.
The fact that both Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud are reportedly in play for the No. 1 overall pick speaks to the strength of the position this year, at least at the top of the class. Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis have also drawn top-10 buzz, while Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker is an increasingly popular Day 1 projection, with some suggesting the latter has the makeup to become the most productive NFL quarterback of the entire crop.
In the spirit of this strong QB class, we compiled votes from our CBS Sports NFL draft experts — Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso and Josh Edwards — to “build” the perfect signal-caller using traits from this year’s prospects. Here’s the total package:
Accuracy
C.J. Stroud (Ohio State)
Efficiency is the name of the game with Stroud, who dominated as a prototypical pocket passer for the Buckeyes. In 25 games from 2021-2022, he laced throws with a 69.3 completion percentage while averaging 9.8 yards per attempt.
Arm strength
Will Levis (Kentucky)
Levis’ college numbers weren’t gaudy, but he’s got a self-proclaimed “cannon,” drawing some comparisons to the Bills‘ Josh Allen for his twitchy ability to “beat coverages on all three levels” through the air, as NFL Media put it.
Pocket presence
Bryce Young (Alabama)
Despite a noticeably smaller stature, measuring 5-foot-10 and just over 200 pounds at the combine, Young was unfazed by pocket pressure at Alabama, per CBS Sports’ scouting report, showing both patience and a sudden ability to bounce out of traffic.
Poise
Bryce Young (Alabama)
Even without prototypical size, Young made all the little things look easy as the leader of the Crimson Tide, guiding a 24-4 record in two years as a starter, with a whopping 80 touchdowns to just 12 picks, plus a fortitude “beyond his years” at age 21.
Grit
Max Duggan (TCU)
Despite lacking eye-popping size or physical tools, the fiery Duggan earned a spot on the “Mt. Rushmore of TCU legends” for guiding the Horned Frogs to a national title game with a rugged, ultra-aggressive approach both as a runner and…
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