Categories: Sport

2023 NFL Draft: Quarterbacks galore and defensive stars are among top potential prospects

Bryce Young (left) and CJ Stroud (right) speak to the media during the NFL Combine on March 3.

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CNN
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Like spring, the NFL Draft signals a season of hope and joy renewed.

This season’s edition is no different, with the teams at the top of the order hoping their selections will breathe fresh life into their organization.

The Carolina Panthers showed their ambition by trading up to acquire the first overall pick, exchanging draft picks and star wide receiver DJ Moore to hold the ability to choose the prospect they want.

With some highly-regarded quarterbacks in this year’s draft, it is no wonder why.

Let’s have a look at everything you need to know ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday.

How to watch

The NFL Draft is being held this year in Kansas City, Missouri, which is the home of the reigning champion – the Kansas City Chiefs.

The first round is held on Thursday, April 27, with the second and third rounds on Friday and the final four rounds on Saturday.

Here’s where to tune in to watch all the picks.

Australia: Seven

Brazil: ESPN

Germany: RTL, DAZN

Mexico: FOX, ESPN

South Africa: ESPN

UK: Sky Sports, NFL Game Pass

US: NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes

Click here for a full list of where to watch coverage.

Richardson looks for a receiver during the game between the Florida Gators and the South Carolina Gamecocks.

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire/AP

Quarterback talent

Sometimes, draft classes can be lacking in top level quarterback prospects – but this is not one of those years.

Atop many people’s draft boards is Bryce Young, the signal caller from Alabama.

The California native was graded as the NFL’s fourth-highest player overall and the highest quarterback, earning himself comparisons to future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein describes Young as a “full-field reader whose confident demeanor on the field oozes off the tape but never becomes unbridled cockiness.”

The only knock against him entering the draft is his build – measuring five-feet-10-inches and weighing just 204 pounds – which raises concerns about his ability to absorb contact and sustain injuries.

However, his talent is likely to see him go first overall to the Panthers, who have been in dire need of a quarterback ever since Cam Newton’s decline and departure.

Ranked just a fraction behind Young is CJ Stroud, who enters the draft after two successful years at Ohio State.

The 21-year-old’s “accuracy stands out on tape,” according to Zierlein. “He’s able to lead receivers with good placement and make on-frame throws to targets on all areas of the field.”

With Young going No. 1 as many predict, there are plenty of quarterback-needy teams below in the order ready to snap up Stroud.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 12: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators gestures during the 1st quarter of a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

James Gilbert/Getty Images

Anthony Richardson: this year's most tantalizing NFL Draft prospect who says he is 'not from Earth'

The Houston Texans at number two and the Indianapolis Colts at four both stand out as teams lacking that franchise quarterback so could select Stroud to fill that void.

The next two quarterbacks in the NFL’s ranking – Will Levis and Anthony Richardson – have produced wildly different conclusions from analysts.

Some see Richardson from Florida as the quarterback with the highest upside in the class, while others say the obvious flaws in his game make him a selection gamble.

Levis on the other hand has been viewed as having a higher floor than Richardson without having the star ceiling despite having plenty of suitors.

With eight of the top 10 picks arguably all needing quarterbacks, it proves to be a fascinating opening round.

Levis of the Kentucky Wildcats against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Kroger Field on November 12, 2022.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Defensive stars

Outside of the quarterback talent, there are plenty of highly-valued prospects on the defensive side of the ball to get teams excited.

The headline player is former University of Georgia standout Jalen Carter who enters the draft as the highest ranked overall player.

“Based upon talent, traits and projection, Carter appears ready to step into the NFL and become a productive three-down talent with Pro Bowl potential,” says Zierlein of the six-foot-three-inch defensive tackle:

However, Carter’s draft stock has fallen after he was sentenced to 12 months of probation in March for his role in the January crash that killed his teammate and a team staffer.

Carter’s teammate Devin Willock and football team staff member Chandler LeCroy were killed in the January 15 crash, which happened hours after the team participated in a parade through campus to celebrate its second consecutive national title.

Carter turned himself in at the Athens-Clarke County Jail in early March on charges of reckless driving and racing.

LeCroy was driving a Ford SUV near campus with Willock and two other members of the football program also in the vehicle, police said.

The SUV was traveling “about 104 miles per hour” before it veered off the road and slammed into two power poles and several trees, Athens-Clarke County police said.

Authorities said Carter was driving a separate vehicle and he and LeCroy appeared to be racing.

He entered no contest pleas to the charges on March 16 and was sentenced to serve 12 months of probation, pay a $1,000 fine, perform 80 hours of community service and complete a state-approved defensive driving course.

Carter’s on-field performances have impressed but his behavior away from the gridiron is one for teams to evaluate and decide if he is right for them.

Carter waves to the crowd before the NCAA national championship between Georgia and TCU.

Ashley Landis/AP

The second highest ranked prospect is edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama who is slated to be a top-10 overall pick.

Anderson’s combination of speed and strength makes him an attractive prospect to coaches, possessing the ability to transform a defensive line and provide constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

In the defensive backfield, there are also plenty of options; Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, Alabama’s Brian Branch, Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon and Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. are all slated to go in the first round.

Stay until the end for ‘Mr. Irrelevant’

After the success of one particular player last season, fans will be wary to watch right until the end of the draft.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 15: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the locker room for halftime against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 15, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Brock Purdy: Bringing 'respect' to the 'Mr. Irrelevant' title

Brock Purdy, who was chosen with the 262nd overall – and final – pick of the 2022 draft by the San Francisco 49ers, was given the opportunity to start for a team with Super Bowl aspirations midway through the season and he never looked overawed, going 7-0 in his first season before eventually falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs.

And although he suffered a serious elbow injury in that defeat to the Eagles, Purdy is under serious consideration to be the team’s starter this upcoming season; a dramatic rise from ‘Mr Irrelevant’ – the moniker given to the final pick of the draft.

Although Purdy is an outlier rather than the rule – there have been very few successful ‘Mr. Irrelevants’ – it is worth keeping an eye on who the Houston Texans select with the 259th pick to keep tabs on their journey from the fringes to NFL life.

Purdy during an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP