2023 NFL Draft sets quarterbacks record
Sep 17, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) prior to the game against Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks have never been more valuable in the NFL as they are now, and the results of the 2023 NFL Draft reflect that.
Partway through the first five rounds of the NFL Draft, a record had been set as 12 quarterbacks were selected. That was the most of the common draft era (1967-present).
12 QBs in the first 5 rounds: 2023 sets a new record for the common draft era (1967-present) 🤯
Bryce Young
C.J. Stroud
Anthony Richardson
Will Levis
Hendon Hooker
Jake Haener
Stetson Bennett
Aidan O'Connell
Clayton Tune
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Sean Clifford
Jaren Hall pic.twitter.com/fUClSJe0Ut— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 29, 2023
Bryce Young was the first quarterback taken (No. 1 overall), followed by CJ Stroud (No. 2) and Anthony Richardson (No. 4). Then there was a drop to the second round, where Will Levis went (No. 33). After that, the next quarterback didn’t go until the third round when the Lions took Hendon Hooker (No. 68).
Here are the 12 quarterbacks drafted in the first five rounds in 2023.
1 (1) Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers
1 (2) C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
1 (4) Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
2 (33) Will Levis – Tennessee Titans
3 (68) Hendon Hooker – Detroit Lions
4 (127) Jake Haener – New Orleans Saints
4 (128) Stetson Bennett – Los Angeles Rams
4 (135) Aidan O’Connell – Las Vegas Raiders
5 (139) Clayton Tune – Arizona Cardinals
5 (140) Dorian Thompson-Robinson – Cleveland Browns
5 (149) Sean Clifford – Green Bay Packers
5 (164) Jaren Hall – Minnesota Vikings
The quarterbacks range from ones teams are banking will be their franchise QB like Young, Stroud and Richardson, to guys who will be fighting for possible second and third-string jobs.
Not only were there a great deal of quarterbacks taken in total during the first five rounds, but the three QBs in the first five picks also tied a record.
3 QBs in the Top 5 tied an NFL Draft record.
1971: 1 Jim Plunkett, 2 Archie Manning, 3 Dan Pastorini
1999: 1 Tim Couch, 2 Donovan McNabb, 3 Akili Smith
2021: 1 Trevor Lawrence, 2 Zach Wilson, 3 Trey Lance
2023: 1 Bryce Young, 2 C.J. Stroud, 4 Anthony Richardson @NFLResearch
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 28, 2023
Now comes the fun part of waiting to see who will develop and become stars or busts.