Updated: Top quarterbacks for 2023 NFL Draft

1. C.J. Stroud* (6-3, 215, 4.65) Ohio State
Stroud really looks the part. He has shown a quick release and fine arm strength. Stroud can throw well deep but also put good touch on his passes when needed. He is very mobile, able sidestep the blitz and throw on the move. An accurate passer, Stroud still does need some technique improvement in his footwork. He does tend to stare down his receiver too often.

2. Bryce Young* (6-0, 195, 4.75) Alabama
The Tide quarterback is an above average athlete with NFL arm strength. He can drive the ball to every part of the field. With a very quick release, he puts zip on his throws. Young also reads defenses well and makes plays with his legs. A leader on his team as well, Young does lack ideal size. He won’t get taller but he may need to get stronger for the next level.

3. Will Levis (6-3, 230, 4.70) Kentucky
Levis has a cannon for an arm and passed well deep downfield. The Penn State transfer is now a team captain at Kentucky. He has nice size and a quick release. Athletic with good speed for the position, Levis does need to throw with more anticipation. He tends to wait too long for a receiver to get open. This season with a limited Wildcats offense has not helped his stock.

4. Hendon Hooker (6-4, 200, 4.68) Tennessee
Hooker has a quick release and a live arm. He also shows good touch on medium-range passes. Hooker throws with accuracy and well on the move. He has nice height for the position. He is an agile, impressive runner. An intelligent and good character person, Hooker is a natural leader. He needs to add more weight and get stronger for the NFL. His footwork could also improve some. Scouts will ding him for his age (25).

5. Jaren Hall (6-1, 215, 4.80) BYU
An athletic prospect, Hall was a former baseball player. He shows quick feet in the pocket. Very agile, Hall is also a threat as a runner. His overall accuracy when he sets his feet is solid. He has a strong enough arm to make all the throws needed for the NFL. Patient in the pocket, Hall doesn’t take off and run too quickly. He does lack ideal height and size. Hall is also overaged (25 on draft day).

6. Tyler Van Dyke** (6-3, 220, 4.82) Miami
An athlete who can make plays leaving the pocket, he also can read defenses quickly. Van Dyke has NFL arm strength and puts good zip no his throws. Confident passer with accuracy, he has nice size and a solid build. Van Dyke has made some bad decisions in games at times, and his deeper sideline passes need more work. Still raw with good upside potential, Van Dyke is a work in progress as a third-year sophomore who could benefit from more seasoning.

7. Devin Leary* (6-1, 212, 4.80) North Carolina State
A dual-threat quarterback who will leave the pocket and make plays with his legs, Leary gets the ball out quickly with good zip. He reads defenses well and sees the field very well. Good short-range accuracy and understanding of coverages are pluses. Leary does need to learn to put more touch on his passes and tends to force the ball into tight coverages too often.

8. K. J. Jefferson (6-3, 245, 4.65) Arkansas
A dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his arm and legs, he has outstanding speed and size for the position. Jefferson has a high completion percentage and a good touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has enough arm strength and makes good decisions. Big and strong, Jefferson needs to read defenses better for the pro game.

9. Michael Penix (6-2, 220, 4.78) Washington
He transferred to Washington from Indiana and has played well as a senior. He has a strong arm and athleticism to also make plays with his feet. Penix does have problems when under pressure and needs to feel the pass rush better; he will lose accuracy when pressured. Penix holds the ball too long but has the tools to be a good NFL quarterback, He must become more consistent.

10. Jayden Daniels* (6-2, 185, 4.75) LSU
Daniels has shown a quick release and the ability to make plays with his feet. A decisive runner, he will make tacklers miss. He has enough arm strength to go downfield on deep throws. An athletic prospect who has improved since transferring to LSU from Arizona State, Daniels needs some technique work but has a lot of upside.

NOTES: With the Saints moving on from Jameis Winston to start Andy Dalton, it means the team will be looking for a quarterback after the season. Dalton has played fairly well but he is a 34-year old backup.

Without a first round pick in 2023, that could change if Sean Payton gets a coaching job. The Saints need that first round pick as compensation.

A quarterback on the rise is Hooker. He could go late in first round or the top of round two. It is still early but the quarterback of the Saints future is still a work in progress.