The 2023 NFL Draft is going to boast four quarterbacks taken near the top. It’s even possible that each of the top four picks are QBs if the Arizona Cardinals trade out of the No. 3 slot. That leaves the Indianapolis Colts in a potentially difficult scenario where they’re settling for someone they may not love.
Which players are Colts’ mock drafters selecting most often for in Round 1? How does each of the top players fit a need or the Colts’ scheme?
Indianapolis Colts Mock Drafts
The Colts missed out on the chance to trade up from fourth overall to the top pick when the Chicago Bears instead landed a massive package from the Carolina Panthers. Colts general manager Chris Ballard had previously said, “I don’t agree” with the notion the team had to move up at all for a quarterback, noting, “there’s gotta be a guy worthy of it.”
Considering there’s no consensus about who is the No. 1 QB for most evaluators, Ballard may be able to stay at No. 4 and still get his favorite target.
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Things could also change in a hurry as the Colts are considering trading for Lamar Jackson, who Ballard called “a special player.” Acquiring Jackson from the Ravens would cost two first-round picks if Baltimore declines to match an offer sheet. It’s possible Indianapolis waits until after the 2023 NFL Draft in order to make a move on the star.
This draft is about more than just quarterback, though.
Another receiver wouldn’t hurt, and the Colts have lacked a star pass rusher since Dwight Freeney. A star cornerback to replace Stephon Gilmore would be nice, and bolstering the offensive line might be wise after a down year for the unit.
Currently, mockers draft these positions most often for the Colts in Round 1:
QB – 77%
OT – 6%
EDGE – 5.3%
WR – 3.3%
CB – 2.8%
The most-mocked players to Indianapolis in Round 1 are as followed:
QB Anthony Richardson – 35.2%
QB Will Levis – 21%
QB C.J. Stroud – 11.3%
QB Bryce Young – 8.1%
EDGE Will Anderson Jr. – 2.5%
Florida QB Anthony Richardson
Florida’s Anthony Richardson is the highest variance prospect in the class. Blessed with immense physical traits that can allow him to become a top-five quarterback in the NFL, Richardson’s list of weaknesses is concerning enough to cast doubt as to if he can ever reach that ceiling. He started only one season in college and completed a measly 54.7% of passes.
A review of Richardson’s tape alleviates some accuracy concerns. He was working in an offense with limited receiving talent and a scheme that only offered two receiving options on a significant number of dropbacks. He didn’t see the same bloated numbers of his peers in a spread scheme.
MORE: Anthony Richardson Falls to the Colts in Latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft
However, Richardson’s passing mechanics need tightening so he reduces the number of missed throws. If he can become more consistent with his motion, Richardson has the blend of pocket awareness, arm talent, and playmaking that can make him truly special.
The Colts could strike absolute gold if Richardson falls to them, and they have the patience and infrastructure to develop him.
Kentucky QB Will Levis
The goal of drafting a quarterback in the first round isn’t to find a mediocre stopgap but rather someone who can be part of the reason why the team wins. Kentucky’s Will Levis is high risk with potentially high reward. Levis has good mobility and a strong arm, plus experience in a traditional scheme that requires the quarterback to reset his eyes off play-action from under center.
There are times when Levis looks the part of a very good NFL quarterback, but he’s also capable of making head-scratching decisions. It’s not an accident he totaled 23 interceptions across his two seasons at Kentucky. He’s prone to forcing passes or throwing late, putting the ball at risk of a turnover.
He’s also not pinpoint accurate. That can be overcome if Levis can create enough big plays like Matthew Stafford learned to. Finding that balance will be critical for Levis’ future.
It’s possible that Levis is the last quarterback on the board when Indianapolis selects, but the Colts could do worse. He’s better than recent early picks who had similar scouting reports, including Drew Lock and Daniel Jones. Yet, he’s far from a guaranteed quality starter.
Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
There’s a reason why Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud has vaulted to the betting favorite to go No. 1 to Carolina. As Fox Sports Analyst Joel Klatt explained, Stroud is “hyper-accurate” to all levels, boasting a throwback skill set as a pocket passer. The question around Stroud is how much of a playmaker can he be outside of structure and whether he’ll rise in big games.
If he answers those questions with a resounding yes, Stroud can be an absolute star. I don’t see him getting past the Texans at No. 2, making it tougher to predict Stroud being on the board for the Colts. If he’s there, Indianapolis should have a relatively easy decision unless it’s Richardson against Stroud.
Head coach Shane Steichen would have to build around each player’s unique skill set. That is a major variable considering how different each of the top four passers is from the other.
Alabama QB Bryce Young
It seemed impossible only a few months ago that Alabama’s Bryce Young could be on the board when the No. 4 pick rolls around. However, Young’s case as a prospect was always strongest when he was on the field. His lack of size at 5’10” and 204 pounds, a relatively average arm, and improvising style can be significant turnoffs for coaches.
Young was a great player at Alabama. He completed 65.8% of his passes for 8,356 yards and 80 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions. In 2021, Young won a national championship and the Heisman Trophy because he’s such a playmaker when it matters most.
MORE: Should Bryce Young Be the No. 1 Overall Pick in 2023?
However, Young was also more of a point guard at Alabama than someone who easily projects as a game-breaker in the NFL. He’s accurate but not always capable of driving the ball into tight windows. His durability and ability to play within structure are also considerable concerns.
The Colts could do much worse than taking Young, but Steichen would need to find the balance between maximizing his natural inclinations, protecting his body, and mitigating his arm strength. I see Young as a high-floor, medium-ceiling prospect, so taking him fourth is more about filling a hole than answering a huge question long term.
Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr.
The Colts have devoted a ton of resources over the last six offseasons to their defensive front, but more work is needed. DeForest Buckner is a star, and both Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam are intriguing pass rushers. However, the unit would get a massive boost by adding Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr.
Anderson accomplished almost everything possible over his three-year career. He totaled 34.5 sacks and 58.5 tackles for loss, finishing fifth in the Heisman voting in 2021. His film is filled with impressive examples of great twitch, powerful hands, and fleet feet.
Anderson is not as dynamic of an athlete as Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt, which hurts his projection a little bit. That All-Pro upside may not be there, but it’s hard to imagine Anderson not being an excellent contributor anyways. He’d be well worth taking instead of settling for the third or fourth-best QB in this draft class.