With the NFL Draft approaching for the Indianapolis Colts, let’s predict how each of the top five quarterbacks would fare with the current roster.
The Indianapolis Colts have been the subject of hundreds of quarterback predictions, mock drafts, and analyses. There have been five quarterbacks that continue to be anticipated as a possibility to lead the Colts.
Those names are Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker.
Those respective players will be the subject of this prediction piece. With the current roster the Colts have assembled, let’s predict how each of these five quarterbacks would fare, as far as a win-loss record is concerned, when starting all 17 games.
Bryce Young Record Prediction: 10-7
As the most pro-ready quarterback, it’s not hard to think Young could hit the ground running with Shane Steichen as his NFL mentor. Pair that with weapons like tight end Jelani Woods, receivers Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman Jr., and Isaiah McKenzie, and running back Jonathan Taylor, and you have a case for Young to lead the Colts to win the AFC South title in 2023.
Stroud has the most accurate arm entering the NFL draft. This is something that Steichen holds dear, as well as Colts general manager Chris Ballard.
However, Stroud may struggle with the speed of an NFL pass rush. Yes, he showed glimpses of mobility in college. But, those weren’t NFL defensive players running after the “ball placement specialist.”
Georgia was a hardcore test, indeed. But, in his rookie season with a young Colts team, Stroud will show glimpses of what he’ll become. However, he’d barely miss snagging a winning record to kick off his career in Indy.
Will Levis Record Prediction: 8-9
The Kentucky quarterback tends to be put in the backroom of QB rankings. But, with the raw athleticism and toughness Levis possesses, he could hit the ground running at a nice pace in Steichen’s new offense. With the aforementioned deep threats like Pierce and a safety blanket like Woods, Levis could see some wins in his rookie season.
However, he’s raw and will struggle at times to adjust to such a quick pace that is the NFL. As is the case with Stroud, he’ll show glimpses and promise, but ultimately fall short of a winning record.
Anthony Richardson Record Prediction: 6-11
There isn’t a more athletically gifted quarterback in the draft than Richardson out of Gator Country. With all of the tools that a vertical-thinker like Steichen wants in a quarterback, the Colts don’t pass up the chance and select Richardson in the 2023 draft. As was mentioned with Levis, Pierce and Woods would be crucial in Richardson’s development with the quarterback being so inexperienced.
Not to forget, Taylor may be the most important piece to help an athletic quarterback like Richardson. A combination of Taylor and the mobile Richardson is a deadly duo on the ground. Despite this, the NFL is a league where passing is king.
Richardson will likely be a star, but his rookie season will have some rough outings while he adjusts his throwing mechanics on the fly. This will ultimately lead to six wins on the season.
Hendon Hooker Record Prediction: 3-14
Look, Hooker has a case to be successful, that’s not a question. But, another fact that isn’t in question is his readiness for NFL offenses.
At Tennessee, Hooker dominated in a simpler, deep-passing offense using high-end threats like Jaylin Hyatt to take the tops off of defenses. Add this to injury concerns, age, and NFL defenses being so quick to take advantage, and there is a case that the Colts would plummet.
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