5 quarterbacks Seahawks should wait to take in the 2023 NFL draft

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

The top two quarterbacks likely to be available in the 2023 NFL draft are far and away better than the 2022 prospects. No offense to Malik Willis and others, but C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young would be the top quarterbacks taken this if they could be chosen. In fact, Stroud and Young could go with the first two picks next year.

Stroud is bigger than Young as Stroud is 6’3″ and 215 pounds and the likelihood he will get to 225 pounds. But even then Stroud is unlikely to lose any of his immense athletic ability. He can move around in the pocket easily, run when needed, and already appears to have great footwork.

In his first season playing in college, Stroud threw 441 times in 2021 and completed 71.9 percent of his throws for 44 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. Stroud had seven games where he didn’t throw any interceptions last year and after throwing one in each of his first three games threw just three the rest of the way. Against rival Michigan State, he was 32 of 35 for 432 yards, 6 touchdowns and no interceptions.

There is no throw Stroud can’t make and will be well-coached at Ohio State. While there have been several OSU quarterbacks who did well in college but maybe not that well in the NFL, Stroud seems different. He is more of a pure passer than a system quarterback.