Welcome to draft season! This is the fourth of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (April 27-29). Here are my top 10 quarterbacks:
— 1. CJ Stroud (So., Ohio State, 6-foot-3, 214 pounds)
Despite dealing with several injuries at wide receiver, Stroud didn't miss a beat last season — he was second in touchdown passes (41) and QBR (88.9) in 2022 — and nearly beat the defending national champions with 348 yards and four touchdowns, while showcasing scrambling ability many believed he didn't possess. He matches the poise of a Miss America contestant with the accuracy of an atomic clock from the pocket, giving him the highest floor of any signal-caller in this draft class. How he develops as a creator when the pocket inevitably breaks down will determine his ceiling. Projected: Top 3
— 2. Bryce Young (Jr., Alabama, 5-10, 204)
The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner has showcased an elite level skill set for two straight seasons — featuring special athleticism and intangibles with a dash of improv — this last year with fewer playmakers surrounding him. I have no doubt Young is capable of being special in the NFL, but the pertinent question may be for how long? Stroud can practice against pressure. Anthony Richardson can work on his footwork. Will Levis can refine his mechanics, but Young can't grow four inches and he doesn't have the body type to get much bigger. He measured 204 pounds at the combine, but his playing weight is closer to 190 pounds. A coaching staff will have to scheme around Young's size and he will have to become more mindful of the risk he's taking once he exits the protective force field known as the NFL pocket. Projected: Top 3
— 3. Anthony Richardson (So., Florida, 6-4, 244)
Richardson's combine performance set the standard going forward for the position — but his footwork and post-snap recognition leave a lot to be desired. The good news is he made legit strides during last season and he appears to be very coachable. The team that drafts him will need a quarterback whisperer like the Bills had in Brian Daboll when they drafted Josh Allen, who had to scream "fore!" every time he passed at Wyoming. Until Richardson figures out how to properly use his rare arm talent, his explosive playmaking abilities alone may keep a team above water. He broke 39 tackles on 103 carries last season for 654 yards and nine TDs, and he's a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Projected: Round 1
— 4. Will Levis (Sr., Kentucky, 6-3, 229)
Levis' senior season was a mixed bag compared to his impressive 2021 campaign — he lost his top receiver (Wan'Dale Robinson) and offensive coordinator to the NFL while dealing with nagging injuries. The two-time team captain features the combination of arm talent, size and mobility that usually sparks the imagination of an offensive coordinator. There are serious accuracy/decision-making issues that will need to be ironed out in the NFL, but he's further along than Richardson in that regard. Projected: Round 1
— 5. Hendon Hooker (Sr., Tennessee, 6-3, 217)
Hooker was the early Heisman Trophy favorite in 2022 before suffering a torn ACL in November. His age could be an issue as well — he'll be a 25-year-old rookie — but he mixes pocket passer size with dual-threat athleticism when healthy. He played in a gimmicky offense, but finished with 68 total TDs against only five interceptions in his two seasons with the Volunteers after transferring from Virginia Tech. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 6. Jake Haener (Sr., Fresno State, 5-11, 207)
This three-star recruit transferred from Washington in 2019 and became a three-time team captain for the Bulldogs. Haener is undersized, and his accuracy wanes outside the numbers the further down the field he throws, but he's a fearless competitor who stepped it up against high-level competition. In five career starts against Pac-12 opponents, he completed 67.7% of his passes for 302 yards per game and eight total TDs. Haener was also named the 2023 Senior Bowl MVP after an impressive week of practices in Mobile. Projected: Rounds 3-5
— 7. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Sr., UCLA, 6-1, 203)
Thompson-Robinson was the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class (behind Justin Fields). He features a quick release and is elusive in the open field. He was one of only two FBS quarterbacks with 25-plus passing touchdowns and 11-plus rushing touchdowns in 2022. Thompson-Robinson was a five-year starter in Westwood, but he plays panicked at times. He'll need to address his ball security issues in the pros (39 fumbles in his collegiate career). Projected: Rounds 4-7
— 8. Tanner McKee (So., Stanford, 6-6, 231)
McKee is a pure pocket passer with prototypical size, arm talent and touch. He could be overlooked because of the Cardinal's lack of success the past two seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, Stanford's offensive line posted the eighth-lowest pass-blocking grade in the Power Five and over half of his throws 10-plus yards downfield were charted as tight window passes. So he wasn't working with a lot in Palo Alto. Projected: Rounds 5-6
— 9. Clayton Tune (Sr., Houston, 6-2, 220)
Only Heisman winner Caleb Williams and Stroud threw more TD passes (40) last season. Tune is a three-time captain and product of the Cougars' Air Raid offense, but he features good size, mobility and instincts to go with NFL-ready arm strength and accuracy. Projected: Rounds 5-7
— 10. Stetson Bennett (Sr., Georgia, 5-11, 192)
Bennett's collegiate career could have easily been produced on the Warner Bros. lot. Redshirted his first year in Athens only to be exiled to a junior college in Mississippi before being buried on the depth chart upon his return. He perseveres and leads the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles while being named MVP in all four College Football Playoff games during that stretch. He turns 26 in October. Does he have a sequel in him? Projected: Rounds 4-7
— BONUS: Aidan O'Connell (Sr., Purdue, 6-3, 213)
O'Connell was a no-star recruit who ended up a finalist for the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy (top former walk-on). He features one of the better downfield touches in this draft class, but the accuracy comes and goes. He's a quick-processor who is cool, calm and collected in or out of the pocket. O'Connell is a part of a group of QB prospects in this class who will be at least 25 years old during his rookie season. Projected: Rounds 4-5
— BONUS: Jaren Hall (Sr., BYU, 6-0, 207)
Hall was a two-year starter (captain both seasons) as well as an outfielder for the Cougars' baseball team while he served as Zach Wilson's backup. Hall is a dual-threat passer with quality mechanics and a PHD in the RPO game. There is an injury history: multiple concussions, rib, core and ankle. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— BONUS: Max Duggan (Sr., TCU, 6-1, 207)
A four-star recruit, Duggan was the No. 5 dual-threat QB in the 2019 recruiting class who became the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2022. He oozes intangibles and leadership, which is half the battle at the sport's most important position, but it's the other half that might not translate to the NFL. Plus, his medical evaluations will be important: he was born with an undiagnosed heart defect called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which has required multiple procedures to deal with after it was discovered through a COVID test in 2020. Projected: Round 7/PFA
