There were three quarterbacks who went in the top four of the 2023 NFL Draft. Let’s make some bold predictions for each in 2023. Two of them ended up in the AFC South. CJ Stroud was drafted by the Houston Texans, and Anthony Richardson was taken by the Indianapolis Colts.
Bryce Young perhaps got the best possible deal, as he was taken first overall by the Carolina Panthers. I do think we end up seeing each QB play significantly in their rookie campaigns, with some maybe even starting from week one.
In this much-anticipated class, let’s make some bold predictions for each one in 2023.
2023 NFL Season: Bold predictions for rookie quarterbacks
Bryce Young plays in the playoffs as a rookie
I am predicting that the Carolina Panthers win the NFC South in 2023 and earn a top-four seed in the NFC. They’ll do so with elite defensive play and efficient offense, led by Bryce Young, who isn’t going to be a prolific passer quite yet, but will take care of the football.
He’ll beat out Andy Dalton for the starting job and won’t look back. Young will surely be in that game manager tier during his rookie season, but it’ll be enough to earn a spot in the playoffs.
Anthony Richardson throws more interceptions than touchdowns in 2023
I’m not sure if this is a bold prediction or not, but we’ll go with it. I think Richardson can have a kind of welcome to the NFC arc that Josh Allen did. Allen was a dumpster fire as a rookie, but was still flashy and occasionally provided us with some insane plays.
Richardson compares similarly to Allen, and I think he’s very similar as a passer like Allen was as a rookie. It’s not going to be pretty for Richardson in 2023. He’ll throw more interceptions than touchdowns but will still provide us with some NFL Network-headlining plays each week.
CJ Stroud throws for 25 touchdowns, wins ORoY award
The biggest threat to win the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award is very clearly Bijan Robinson, but that won’t be the case in 2023. CJ Stroud is entering into what I believe to be an underrated situation in Houston.
DeMeco Ryans is the latest Kyle Shanahan disciple to have a head coaching gig in the NFL. Stroud will be playing in a Shanahan-style offensive system, which has historically been QB-friendly. Stroud is an incredibly accurate and tempo passer, which is perfect for this offense.
He’ll throw for at least 25 touchdown passes in 2023 and win the ORoY award, narrowly beating out Young and Robinson