Tracking the QBs Seahawks should take in 2023 NFL draft: Week 13
Seahawks 2023 QB targets: Tier 1
(Will all be taken in the 1st round, will all be viewed as franchise quarterbacks)
Number 4: Bryce Young
NFL Comp: Mix of Tyler Huntley and Tua Tagovailoa
Bryce Young dominated Auburn in what is likely his final home game in Tuscaloosa. The former Heisman winner completed 20/30 passes for 342 yards and 4 total TDs. While the Tide need a little chaos to get a shot at the playoff, their jump over Tennessee in the rankings means that the Sugar Bowl appears to be the likely destination for Young’s final collegiate game. Against an extremely underrated Kansas State defense, that could be a fascinating challenge before heading to the NFL.
Young looks the part when he throws the football, but there will always be size concerns. We’ve seen the worst from Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray recently. I’m curious if that could potentially affect his draft position going forward.
I’m a fan of Young and would be excited if he fell to the Seahawks, but there are quarterbacks that I feel more comfortable with in Seattle for the future.
Number 3: Will Levis
NFL Comp: B version of Josh Allen
Will Levis has and will continue to be the prospect darling for many in the scouting and NFL community. He has every physical tool you could ask for, he plays in the Los Angeles Rams offense at Kentucky, and he’s facing the best in college football week in and week out.
The problem? He and Kentucky haven’t looked great, which has many wondering how good he really is. The answer? He’s a beast and will be great, but he’s in a bad place at Kentucky right now. That place didn’t look so dark on Saturday when Kentucky got a huge rivalry win over number 25 Louisville 26-13. In the game, Levis threw for 118 yards on 11 for 19 passing but had two touchdowns including a beautiful fade in the endzone for the dagger touchdown.
Get healthy, kill the combine, and watch Levis potentially be the top pick in the draft.
Number 2: Anthony Richardson
NFL Comp: Prime Cam Newton
Another week, another game where AR15 shines in limited opportunities as Florida lost a wild rivalry game at Florida State. In the first half, it looked like Richardson might break some records, throwing for a quick 100+ yards and 3 touchdowns. After the barrage, Richardson was shut down for the rest of the game, only completing 9/27 passes in a 45-38 loss.
It was an ugly second half for the Gators and Richardson, but I continue to bang the drum that Anthony Richardson is the most talented player in college football. No player has the ceiling on the offensive side of the ball that he has.
Put Richardson at Tennessee, Georgia, or Ohio State, and he’s the Heisman winner and top overall pick in the draft. Instead, he’s in a very run-heavy college offense that isn’t very talented. He’s raw, but everything is there for him to be a superstar. I believe he would be a perfect one-year wait for the Seahawks. Draft him, let him sit behind Geno for a year, then go Mahomes on everyone.
Number 1: CJ Stroud
NFL Comp: Joe Burrow
C.J. Stroud has been my top quarterback all season for the Seahawks, and that doesn’t change…but we saw the warts that have some people concerned about Stroud.
In the biggest game of his career, a chance to get revenge on Michigan and get to the playoffs, Stroud turned in a masterful first half, before fading in the second half as their season came crashing down in a stunning 45-23 loss. Stroud’s numbers looked great like they have all season, but the inability to manufacture anything in the second half was concerning.
The loss likely pushes the Buckeyes out of the CFP and into the Rose Bowl. I’m curious to see how he responds to a game his team probably feels is a letdown, compared to a hungry Washington squad.
Next. 3 Seahawks that were awful in Week 12. dark
At the end of the day, I still view Stroud as the best prospect today, and the best option for Seattle to try and win in the next three seasons. If the Seahawks have a top-3 pick, it’s going to be really tough to pass on the win-now quality that C.J. Stroud would provide.