As the regular season continues to wind down for the teams near the bottom of the standings in the NFL, attention will turn increasingly to the upcoming draft class. This year’s crop of prospects was thought at the beginning of the year to include far superior options at the quarterback position relative to 2022, but that may not be the case in the eyes of some evaluators. 
As detailed by Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, the 2023 class of passers is not viewed by some around the league in the same light as their pre- and in-season buzz would suggest. Alabama’s Bryce Young is seen as the clear-cut top signal-caller, which puts him in a good position to be drafted first overall. With the Texans looking increasingly likely to finish with the worst record in the league, they are expected to hold the No. 1 pick in the spring.
Young’s numbers are down this season compared to his Heisman-winning campaign of last year, but that has not been seen as a regression so much as a reflection of an underwhelming Crimson Tide offense around him. Nevertheless, one source expressed concern to La Canfora about the six-foot, 194-pounder’s upside at the pro level. Similar questions could be asked of C.J. Stroud, the Buckeyes passer whose stock may have taken a hit given his and Ohio State’s performances down the stretch this season. He and the team still have the CFP semifinal available to generate momentum for the spring, of course.
Other highly-regarded QBs in this class include Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson. The latter – who officially declared for the draft last week – is perceived to have perhaps the highest ceiling in the group from an athletic standpoint. Both have been named as first-round candidates, but significant holes in their games have led to doubts about their NFL readiness in 2023 in particular.
Evaluation of these and other passers comes against the backdrop of few teams near the top of the board being locks to pursue upgrades at the position during the offseason. Another factor greatly influencing the college environment is NIL money. As Jim Nagy, executive director of the Senior Bowl notes (on Twitter), the spike in players using the transfer portal in de-facto free agency has – among other things – “considerably” shrunk the list of signal-callers entering this year’s draft.
Plenty is still to be determined between now and Day 1 of the draft, including further examination of the top QBs. While a repeat of last spring – where Kenny Pickett was the only first-rounder – is still highly unlikely, though, the position may not dominate the top of the board as some predicted not long ago.
The Texans have too many holes to fill. I would trade that first pick for multiple picks and strengthen all of the surrounding positions. They’re going to be bad the following year, so I would take a chance at trying to get Caleb Williams in 2024. This gives you an extra year of quarterback control when it actually will help when the team is hopefully better.
That is not gonna happen. All those teams behind them will not mortgage the future to trade for number 1 cause theu dont need qbs
Carolina, Atlanta, Indy all need QBs. Not to mentions sleeper teams like Seattle or even Detroit (though I think they are good with Geoff).
They already have 2 first round picks and 11 total. 2023 is a good year for them to take a swing at one of the qbs.
I disagree. I don’t think Young, Stroud, Levis, or Richardson are worthy of the first overall pick. I would trade back and look for a bridge QB in free agency.
Just because the Texans have a ton of holes to fill doesn’t mean they should kick the can down the road on filling the most difficult and important hole to fill. Counting on having the top pick next year isn’t just a risky proposition–it’s a great way to get fired if you’re Nick Caserio.
If the price was too good to pass up I’d certainly trade out of # 1 overall.
I’m personally fond of Hendon Hooker who they could pick up in the late 1st / early 2nd. Might need a year to sit and learn, but they could certainly build the roster around him between 2023 and 2024.
No matter who QB is you need to do the following
Handle the Cooks situation, even if it means trading him
Finding a #1 WR to go along with Collins, Metchie, and draft/sign another WR.
Find a backup RB
Get a long term center
Find long term answers at tackle (Tunsil is a potential FA after this year certainly one after 2023). Howard is also a FA after 2023.
You left out the whole defense. But while I’m intrigued by Hooker, he’s a 25-year old with a torn ACL. If you think Young is a future star QB, you take him.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Plus we are discussing QBs.
Best way to ensure success of any QB is build the team up around them either draft or free agency.
Im not too worried about the ACL. He gets the surger now he could be ready in anywhere to 8-10 months which would be right around preseason. ACL tear isn’t the career ender it use to be.
They have two tackles and a first round guard locked into a line. They might not have another shot this good at a rookie deal franchise QB, the most valuable thing in football.
“but they could certainly build the roster around him between 2023 and 2024.”
“Find long term answers at tackle (Tunsil is a potential FA after this year certainly one after 2023). Howard is also a FA after 2023.”
Im not counting on anyone long term until they are signed long term.
So you want them to emphasize the tackle position because they only have answers through 2023 (and have more than enough cap space to extend them if they’re amenable at all) instead of emphasizing the most important position, where they have no answer and a rare opportunity to take a franchise-altering swing? They also have a second first rounder that will be in range to take one of the 3-5 first round caliber tackles in this draft.
Thank you Johnny Superscout
There is a disconcerting disconnect between Lamar Jackson and the Raven’s FO … and owner. Like his buddy Hollywood, he seems to want out. If so, would Houston trade their #1 and maybe a DE Ogbo and/or a CB Pitre for Lamar? Ravens draft Bryce Young.
Kenny Pickett has tiny hands and is nearly 30 years old, good things.
24 is nearly 30??
he’s no weeden or weinke.
Texans need to get a legit GM first. He doesn’t have a clue what ahead coach looks like. How could he find a QB?
All the draft analysts are experts until they’re exposed by Mr. Irrelevant.
Bryce Young is the second coming of Vince Young as it relates to NFL potential
They’re not even a little similar.
Bryce seems to have that intangible quality of feeling pressure in the pocket and not panicking. Vince did not.
He’s also thrown a ton more and he’s not a rushing QB.
Cowboys should be in on one of these guys cause Dak is a liability.