Quarterbacks Drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft

Which quarterbacks were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft? Which teams drafted those QBs, and how does the 2023 class compare to previous years?

Which Quarterbacks Were Drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft?

Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Bryce Young, Alabama | Carolina Panthers

Round 1, Pick 1

Long considered the favorite to go No. 1 overall, the Carolina Panthers did just that, selecting Alabama QB Bryce Young. His collegiate career included 13,250 passing yards, 152 passing touchdowns, and only 21 interceptions on a near-70% completion rate. He also ran for 1,084 yards and 26 rushing scores.

The hype around Young was considerable, but the play did not quite match up. Young’s performance contributed to the Panthers earning the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which they had traded to the Chicago Bears to acquire Young initially.

Young completed 59.8% of his passes, throwing for 2,877 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 16 games. The Panthers went 2-14.

Given the lack of a supporting cast, it’s a bit premature to call Young a bust. However, he will have to take a massive step forward as a sophomore or the Panthers may very well be looking for his replacement as early as 2025.

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State | Houston Texans

Round 1, Pick 2

The Houston Texans reportedly tried to trade up to No. 1 before the Bears worked out a deal with Carolina. In all likelihood, they would have taken Young. Suffice it to say they are happy with the result.

Whereas Young was unable to propel a subpar roster into a competitive team, C.J. Stroud almost single-handedly turned the Texans from a weekly walkover into a Super Bowl contender.

Stroud completed 63.9% of his passes as a rookie. He threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in 15 starts. Stroud had, by many metrics, the greatest season by a rookie QB of all time. He ran away with Rookie of the Year honors.

One year is obviously quite the small sample size, but it’s safe to say the Texans smashed with the Stroud pick. He is already one of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL and is poised to have the Texans contending for a championship for the next decade.

Anthony Richardson, Florida | Indianapolis Colts

Round 1, Pick 4

When Andrew Luck suddenly retired in Aug. 2019, the Indianapolis Colts were forced to roll with their backup, Jacoby Brissett. The next three years, this franchise rolled through three more veteran quarterbacks — all of them past their prime to varying degrees.

With the No. 4 overall pick, they selected the young man they believe will be their starting quarterback for the next decade.

Anthony Richardson was far from a polished prospect but flashed considerable upside as a rookie. Unfortunately, an early season concussion combined with a Week 5 shoulder injury limited him to just four games played.

Richardson has massive potential, but with just 84 NFL pass attempts to his name, the jury is very much still out on the athletic quarterback. He will need to prove he can not only stay healthy but perform at the level necessary to lead the Colts into the next era of their organization.

Will Levis, Kentucky | Tennessee Titans

Round 2, Pick 33

One of the biggest stories of the draft’s opening night was the fall of Will Levis. The Tennessee Titans made sure he didn’t linger for long on Day 2, engineering a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to move up eight spots, in which they essentially gave up an extra 2024 third-round pick.

To no one’s surprise, Levis did not sit on the bench his entire rookie season. He took over for Ryan Tannehill in Week 8, making a total of nine starts.

KEEP READING: How Many Players Are Drafted in the NFL Each Year?

Levis was mostly unimpressive, throwing for just 200.9 yards per game. He threw for eight touchdowns against four interceptions but showcased enough upside for the Titans to give him a full audition in the 2024 season.

While the Titans certainly would like Levis to be the answer, they did not invest first-round draft capital in him. As a result, if Levis doesn’t perform up to par, the Titans will undoubtedly look to upgrade the position ahead of the 2025 season.

Round 3-7

5) Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
R3-P68 | Lions

6) Jake Haener, Fresno State
R4-P127 | Saints

7) Stetson Bennett, Georgia
R4-P128 | Rams

8) Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
R4-P135 | Raiders

9) Clayton Tune, Houston
R5-P139 | Cardinals

10) Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
R4-P140 | Browns

11) Sean Clifford, Penn State
R5-P149 | Packers

12) Jaren Hall, BYU
R5-P164 | Vikings

13) Tanner McKee, Stanford
R6-P188 | Eagles

14) Max Duggan, TCU
R7-P239 | Chargers

How Many Quarterbacks Were Drafted in 2023?

A total of 14 QBs were taken in 2023, which ties for the second-highest total since 2013, and only one off the decade-long high of 15. Additionally, the three QBs taken in the first four picks in 2023 were outside the norm based on recent history. An average of 1.9 QBs were taken in each of the previous 10 drafts.

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