Which teams should be in play for CJ Stroud and Bryce Young?
As of now, CJ Stroud and Bryce Young appear to be the top two quarterbacks in college football. Which teams should be in play for them in 2023? The presumed top two players will likely join some other very talented quarterbacks coming out in 2023, which appears to be a much more refreshing and different pace than the 2022 class.
Stroud seems to be the early favorite to be the number one overall pick, or simply the first quarterback taken. In looking at the league after week two, which teams could be drafting high enough to take one of the top two players?
Teams who could be in play for CJ Stroud and Bryce Young?
Carolina Panthers
Even though I am very high on the Panthers’ roster outside of quarterback, it’s clear that they might be headed towards a very high selection in 2023, which may actually benefit them. I like the players they have on defense– I think it’s a complete unit with talent at all three levels.
I also like their weapons on offense and they did make genuine strides to improve their offensive line. To me, they seriously could be missing a piece or two, and a quarterback. If the Panthers keep losing, they’ll likely fire Matt Rhule, which could then lead to a top three selection in next April’s draft.
Houston Texans
I also am a fan of the Texans; I think their roster is a bit underrated. I like their coach and some of their players, but it’s very obvious that they are still a few years away in this rebuild. Even though I find Davis Mills to be solid, the Texans might be close enough to pass up taking a Will Anderson for a Stroud or Young. Both of their respective ceilings might be too high to pass up.
Davis Mills appears to be building himself a career as a high quality backup, at the very least, and I am rooting for him to prove to the front office that he could be the guy, but he may not have a time of time to prove that.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks won their Super Bowl in week one, taking down the Denver Broncos who are led by their former Pro Bowl quarterback, Russell Wilson. Now, they have Geno Smith, a career backup, and Drew Lock, who looks to also be a career backup. They are kidding themselves if they genuinely think that Smith or Lock would all of a sudden figure it out and become a franchise player.
Seattle likely won’t win many more games this year, and even if they do somehow rattle off 5, 6, or even 7 wins, they do have plenty capital to trade up and to try and select Bryce Young or CJ Stroud.
Other teams may pop up as candidates to take one of the presumed top quarterbacks in the nation as the 2022 NFL season rolls on. However, as of now, I think these are the three teams that could be the most obvious fits and have the most urgent need at the position.