by The quarterback position is the most important on a football field. When a team has a quarterback who is unable to lead a team to their ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl, correcting him becomes a priority. When a team’s first pick in the NFL draft falls off the board, desperation can cause them to choose a prospect who isn’t their ideal match.
In this article, CBSSports examines ideal fits mixed with a touch of reality.
It should come as no surprise that Haener was one of the top performers at Reese’s Senior Bowl. Haener doesn’t have a prototypical height or arm strength, but he is intelligent and competitive; the kind of players who can be expected to step off the plane and give a team a chance to win. Miami could have capitalized on that this season with multiple quarterbacks and concerns about Tua Tagovailoa’s long-term health.
Miami are said to be tied to Tagovailoa but need a player capable of filling in at short notice. Haener is that player. Haener is a bit undersized, so a team won’t ask him to be a traditional back-in-the-pocket passer. According to TruMedia, the Dolphins used play action on 24.1% of plays last season, which was the most in the NFL. Taking Haener into space would allow him to create his own fast lanes.
Hooker is yet to return to football after tearing his cruciate ligament during the season. In an ideal world, Denver would be able to bring in someone to push Russell Wilson forward while still giving Hooker time to fully recover. The Broncos may not be willing to use a Day 2 draft pick for the quarterback since they already have an empty war chest as a draft Outcome of Sean Payton and Wilson’s trades.
Detroit and New Orleans could also be possible matches as teams look to add competition for veterans. Minnesota needs reinforcements and may also be interested in Hooker.
Indianapolis hasn’t hired a head coach, which will obviously impact the franchise’s vision. Currently, General Manager Chris Ballard is the key figure in this organization. Since Ballard arrived, the Colts have turned to a very specific body type at quarterback: Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and now Matt Ryan.
Levis stands 6-foot-4, 230 pounds and has great arm strength. He now has more mobility than any of those quarterbacks during their respective careers with the AFC South franchises.
For more detailed design content, please see our latest prospect rankings And mock designs, as well as our new weekly podcast, “With the First Choice” with Rick Spielman, the former general manager of the Vikings.
Seattle and veteran quarterback Geno Smith are working on a contract extensionbut do not rule out the possibility of the team drafting a quarterback. With two picks in the first round, including No. 5 overall, the Seahawks would be wise to prepare for life after the reigning 32-year-old starter. Richardson is the naturally most talented quarterback in the draft, but he’s barely more than a year of starting experience. He’s incredibly raw. The opportunity to sit behind him and learn from Smith would be beneficial to Richardson.
The Gainesville native has been averaging 8.6 carries per game this season. To maximize his abilities, a team would develop opportunities for his massive physique to be in space against a smaller defender. Seattle played action in 15.9% of games last season.
Levis also makes sense in Seattle as Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen worked with Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in Los Angeles.
Stroud spent 84.8% of offensive plays on the shotgun last season. The Panthers’ new head coach, Frank Reich, is from Indianapolis, where he didn’t have much mobility at the quarterback position. The Colts were in shotgun formation for 75.5% of offensive games last season. Stroud showed rushing potential in the college football playoff semifinals against Georgia, but he doesn’t want to play like that. He’s a pass-first quarterback who prefers to sit back in the pocket and hand the football around.
According to TruMedia, the sixth-lowest in the NFL, Indianapolis had action in just 11.7% of games. The metrics suggest Carolina would allow Stroud to play how he wants and he possesses the physical physique often associated with Reich.
Levis could also make sense for Carolina. General manager Scott Fitterer was a pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization, so it stands to reason he might prefer a quarterback with a background in sports. Levis played high school baseball for two years as a shortstop and third baseman.
Houston has yet to hire an offensive coordinator, but based on requested interviews it appears the hire will come from the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay trees, which is to be expected. One could imagine new head coach DeMeco Ryans prefers the large zone blocking system that he has seen in practice for the past seven years.
Houston will have second, if not first, quarterback picks. Young is short, but also the purest quarterback in the draft. The Texans would have a consummate leader in the organization. A wide-zone blocking scheme would get the defense moving organically and create passing windows for Young. San Francisco has had their seventh fewest game action on offense this season, so it would be interesting to see if that changes with a player like Young.
Young would make sense in most places, including Carolina and Seattle. Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer was in Seattle when the team drafted Russell Wilson, and so was Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. Atlanta has the distinction of hosting the second most game action in the NFL last season, which would be another solid choice for the Crimson Tide signal caller.
The 2023 NFL Draft will take place April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.
