The “Triple Take” team returns for 2023 and starts out with a breakdown of the quarterbacks. In the first installment of this draft prospect preview by position, the Steelers Radio Network trio of Matt Williamson, Dale Lolley, and Mike Prisuta give their takes on the top prospects at the quarterback position, and they will examine each of the other positions as well.
The opinions of these Steelers Radio Network personalities do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
QUARTERBACKS
DALE’S TAKE…
A year ago, this position would have been considered one of the strongest in this draft. Now, perhaps not so much. The top remains the top. But the depth at quarterback might not be all that great. That doesn’t mean, however, there won’t perhaps be some starters to come out of the group. But we could see as many as four quarterbacks selected at the top of the first round because of the dearth of players at the position across the league.
No. 5 - Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (6-3, 217) - After throwing 31 touch-down passes and just three interceptions in his first season at Tennessee in 2021, the former Virginia Tech starter was having perhaps an even better season with a career-high 3,135 yards to go along with 27 touch-downs and just two interceptions in 11 games and was a Heisman Trophy candidate. But then he tore his ACL in November. Hooker also turns 25 in September, so he’s slightly overaged. But for a quarterback with good mobility – he had just over 2,000 career rushing yards – who had 80 career touchdown passes against just 12 interceptions, there’s enough there to work with.
No. 4 - Will Levis, Kentucky (6-4, 229) - Levis began his career at Penn State, where he made two starts in two seasons, before transferring to Kentucky. In two seasons with the Wildcats, he threw for 43 touchdown passes with 23 interceptions in 24 games. His 2021 season was better than his final year, but he had more talent around him that season. But Levis has arm talent and classic size for the position. Levis can be inconsistent with his throws, but some of that can be attributed to him getting beaten up a little bit in 2022.
No. 3 - Anthony Richardson, Florida (6-4, 244) - With just 13 career starts under his belt, Richardson is raw. But he’s got arm talent and running ability. Richardson averaged 14.5 yards per completion in 2022, which led all Power-5 quarterbacks. He also rushed for 654 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He might take some time to develop, but Richardson’s athletic upside is intriguing. The 21-year-old is big, strong and fast as his NFL Scouting Combine numbers suggest.
No. 2 - CJ Stroud, Ohio State (6-3, 214) - Stroud had 85 touchdown passes and threw 12 interceptions the past two seasons as Ohio State’s starter, taking over for Justin Fields. Isn’t a dynamic runner like Fields, but he can escape pressure. Stroud led the FBS with seven games in 2022 with four or more touchdown passes. Set a school record in 2021 with a 73.5 percent completion percentage when he was throwing to the likes of Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Garrett Wilson.
No. 1 - Bryce Young, Alabama (5-10, 204) -Young can make all the throws, but his size is an issue. However, as he said at the NFL Scouting Combine, he’s been the same size all his life and played at a high level. Young can make all the throws. He has some escapability. Had 80 touchdown passes in 36 career games, 27 of them starts after Mac Jones went to the NFL. Young won the Heisman Trophy in his first full season as a starter in 2021 when he threw 47 touchdown passes with just seven interceptions. Overall, he threw just 12 interceptions in 934 career college pass attempts. If he were bigger, he would be more of a slam dunk, but he’s built more like a point guard than he is someone who can withstand big hits in the NFL. But he does a good job of protecting himself.
MIKE’S TAKE…
No. 5 - Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (6-3, 217)
No. 4 - Will Levis, Kentucky (6-4, 229)
No. 3 - CJ Stroud, Ohio State (6-3, 214)
No. 2 - Bryce Young, Alabama (5-10, 204)
No. 1 - Anthony Richardson, Florida (6-4, 244)
MATT’S TAKE…
No. 5 - Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (6-3, 217)
No. 4 - Will Levis, Kentucky (6-4, 229)
No. 3 - Anthony Richardson, Florida (6-4, 244)
No. 2 - CJ Stroud, Ohio State (6-3, 214)
No. 1 - Bryce
