Mel Kiper Jr. says quarterbacks will define 2023 NFL Draft

NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay recently spoke with Field Yates about the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. This years draft class is loaded with talent, especially at the quarterback position, as Kiper was asked about what will define this year’s draft.

“It’s the quarterbacks, I mean there’s no other way to go,” Kiper said. “Bryce Young from Alabama, the great processor, so much accuracy throwing the football, that magical way he goes about his business as that true point guard drawing comparisons to Steph Curry with the way he goes about his business.”

Young’s production and success are hard to deny if you look at his career with the Crimson Tide, and he definitely passes the eye test. He’s made a multitude of impressive plays throughout his career, and finished it on a high note with a five-touchdown performance in the last game of his college career versus Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl. But the biggest question heading into his draft evaluation will be his size.

“But the size, and we talk about outliers and we talked about Russell Wilson and what he did as a third-round pick, or say a Kyler Murray, went number one overall with the height not being a factor any longer. Well we’re not worrying about 5’11, we’re worrying about with Bryce Young is that 180-185 (pounds), that size, that stature or lack of, can he hold up physically in the NFL? So I think that’s gonna be something we’ll debate through the process,” Kiper said.

Many have Young ranked as the top quarterback prospect heading into this year’s draft, but Kiper personally is more bullish on Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, who definitely checks the box of the size that Young doesn’t, standing at 6-foot-3, 223 pounds.

“Will Levis was banged up all year at Kentucky, just about all year, with foot, ankle, shoulder, all those issues. An offense line that was horrific, a running back that wasn’t there the first four games, a receiving core that lost Wan’dale Robinson to the NFL,” Kiper explained. “Will Levis to me, I think this is what’s gonna happen Todd, kind of the old guard is gonna be, which I’m part of Todd, is will Levis. And I’ve said that from back in September, I’m Will Levis. The analytics, the young guys and all that are gonna be on Bryce Young.”

Each quarterback brings different traits to the table that any NFL franchise would want, and adding other prospects like CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson will make it even harder for teams in the market for a passer. Thankfully, there is plenty of time until the draft for teams and evaluators alike to break down who they believe is the top quarterback prospect.

“And I’m gonna wait, I’m waiting this out Todd, there’s no rush to judgement here for me. Pro Days I’ve always said are a waste of time, I think Bryce Young’s Pro Day’s gonna be important just to see what he looks like on that field throwing that football to say you’re short, you’re not small. Bryce Young is 5’11, he’s only about 180-185, that’s gonna be something that everyone’s gonna have to factor in because we’ve never had that for the NFL Draft. A quarterback this size being talked about maybe as the number one pick overall,” Kiper said.