Suffice it to say, the dynasty prospects of the 2023 NFL Draft quarterback class are mixed. Each of the top prospects has notable flaws. Some are more worrisome than others. On the other hand, there are five passers who possess elite upside and could change the fortune of many fantasy football teams.
With that in mind, let’s explore the dynasty prospects of the 2023 NFL Draft quarterback class. One thing to note, this is less about whom you should take and more about what you should expect from each player.
Related: A brief guide on drafting fantasy football quarterbacks
Dynasty prospects of the 2023 NFL Draft quarterback class
C.J. Stroud
Ceiling: Joe Burrow
Floor: Dwayne Haskins
C.J. Stroud is the presumed top pick in the draft, although that is by no means a given. As a player, he offers the smallest rushing upside. That could change in the NFL given his athleticism. Joe Burrow didn’t need to do much on the ground at LSU but used his scrambling ability much more at the next level.
In the pocket, Stroud boasts outstanding accuracy along with a solid arm. In many ways, he is like a more consistent version of Dwayne Haskins. Both were Ohio State products who benefited from great supporting casts. The consistency is a byproduct of Stroud having more starting experience during college.
Fantasy outlook: Should Stroud hit his ceiling, he would be a top-10 quarterback. It’s hard to see a path to top-5 relevance unless he finds himself in the right offense.
Bryce Young
Ceiling: Drew Brees
Floor: Tua Tagovailoa
There is chatter out there about how Bryce Young is similar to Kyler Murray but that is primarily due to height and weight similarities. I don’t quite buy into that comparison. In many ways, the former Alabama passer is a lot like a more mobile Drew Brees. You see a lot of this in terms of how both operate in the pocket.
However, Young has some injury concerns, much like Tua Tagovailoa. Although different in terms of measurements, both Alabama quarterbacks struggled with various ailments during college. It is easy to see Young having similar problems as the man he followed in Tuscaloosa.
Fantasy outlook: Given all his tools and intangibles, Young could be in the mix for top-3 quarterback finishes. That is assuming he stays healthy and is a willing rusher.
Anthony Richardson
Ceiling: Josh Allen
Floor: Mitch Trubisky
Anthony Richardson has all the tools to be a great quarterback. And by all reports, he’s a good dude. We have all heard multiple draft experts compare him to Josh Allen as both were tools-y prospects that had major issues coming into the league.
There are also some notable similarities to Mitch Trubisky as a passer who didn’t get much experience as a college starter and was then thrust into a bad situation. The range of outcomes for Richardson is all over the map.
Fantasy outlook: An occasional streamer who posts big numbers in random spots. Chances are Richardson finds himself in that Daniel Jones role of a guy whom you hate to play but can be talked into starting when desperate.
Will Levis
Ceiling: Good Ryan Fitzpatrick
Floor: Bad Ryan Fitzpatrick
Will Levis shows many traits that allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick to be a starter and also saw him benched on multiple occasions. The Kentucky product believes he can make any play at any time and that causes him to be borderline reckless in terms of decision making. He’s not afraid to run directly at linebackers or throw balls into double coverage because he thinks it will work out.
That is awesome and a lot of fun to watch. It also drives coaches crazy and can be frustrating for fantasy football managers. And while some draft experts have talked about coaching that out of Levis’ game, it’s easier said than done. It can also have a negative impact on the player.
Fantasy outlook: May have a season or two posting big numbers on a bad team but probably not a viable long-term starter.
Hendon Hooker
Ceiling: Dak Prescott
Floor: Backup
Hendon Hooker has all the tools to start in the NFL. He’s mobile, accurate, has an above-average arm and is intelligent. On the downside, he is 25 and coming off an ACL tear. Despite this, there is reason to believe Hooker just might find himself in the right situation to succeed much like Prescott or Russell Wilson.
Fantasy outlook: An excellent dynasty dart throw. Maybe he hits and even if Hooker doesn’t, the draft capital involved won’t be much.
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