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New Wave of NFL Talent - A Breakdown of Rookie and Sophomore Quarterbacks of 2023
Photo: Jul 27, 2023; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) and quarterback Trey Lance (5) drop back to throw a pass during training camp at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

New Wave of NFL Talent - A Breakdown of Rookie and Sophomore Quarterbacks of 2023

Let’s face it - by this point in the NFL season, we have a much clearer picture of how the league's latest crop of young quarterbacks stack up.

Some signal callers have undeniably established themselves as the catalysts of their team's offenses now and for years to come. Others have had their shortcomings laid bare for all to see, realizing the substantial work required to prove they belong. The 2023 season, in particular, saw no shortage of first and second-year QBs taking their shot at stardom. But as the campaign drew to a close, not all had their futures looking equally bright at this stage of their development. Some of the most promising players were among them.

Brock Purdy

Purdy cemented himself as the present and future in San Francisco with a stellar sophomore campaign. Operating Shanahan's complex scheme to perfection, Purdy displayed pinpoint accuracy and elite field vision that left little doubt he is the 49ers' QB1. With over 4,200 yards and 31 touchdowns, Purdy picked up right where he left off as a rookie and proved that performance was no anomaly. Getting better with each start, Purdy's understanding of the playbook and ability to diagnose defenses matched his proven accuracy.

Brock Purdy has put the 49ers in a great position for continued success at quarterback going forward, as long as he keeps improving. His team's great performance has not only attracted sports enthusiasts but also the attention of sponsors eager to capitalize on their success. These partnerships with sought-after casinos benefit both players and their fans, enjoying an array of perks. This includes promotions like no deposit bonus, offered by specific brands throughout the season. These partnerships not only enhance the overall fan experience but also contribute to the team's financial strength, giving talents like Purdy more value for their skills and passion.

C.J. Stroud

Similаrly, C.J. Strouԁ's stellаr рlаy рroрelleԁ the Houston Texаns to аn AFC South сrown, mаking him а рotentiаl new fасe of the frаnсhise for yeаrs. Beyonԁ the fielԁ, the Texаns hаve gаrnereԁ аttention from sрonsors, leаԁing to exсiting рromotions thаt аԁԁ vаlue for fаns ԁuring gаme breаks. Whether you're following Strouԁ's journey or wаgering on the teаm, these раrtnershiрs offer аn аԁԁitionаl lаyer of exсitement for sрorts enthusiаsts.

Although he had experienced occasional struggles early in Houston, he managed to silence doubters with a single sensational rookie season. He has demonstrated strong controlled aggression and impromptu playmaking, which is evident in his 3,800+ yards worth of passes and 21 scores that have helped revive the Texans' offense. Through his versatile style, he thrives in improvisational plays as well as deep passes, making him a reliable asset in the team.

Will Levis

In his first season in Tennessee, Levis showed the potent mixture of skills that made him a first-round pick. When available, Levis demonstrated pinpoint accuracy and toughness on deep shots, escaping pressure to pick up first downs with his legs. Though injuries limited his availability, Levis still flashed an NFL-ready arm that fired lasers all over the field. With close to 1,800, Levis proved he can produce when called upon. If he can avoid the injury bug going forward, Levis seems primed for even bigger numbers in his encore season for the Titans.

Sam Howell

After torching defenses early in the season, Howell hit some predictable second-year growing pains with the Commanders. When at his best, Howell made some of the NFL's most challenging throws look routine with his next-level arm talent and fearlessness. However, playing behind a subpar line, Howell too often held the ball and took unnecessary sacks, which contributed to a late-season decline. While inconsistent, Howell's dynamic potential was on full display with nearly 4,000 yards and a strong 21:21 TD: INT ratio. With experience, Howell can regain the form from his blazing start to anchor Washington for years.

Aidan O'Connell

O'Connell stabilized the Raiders' offense after Jimmy Garoppolo's demotion, proving steady if unspectacular in his first extended NFL action. Making mostly smart decisions, O'Connell totaled over 2,200 yards and 12 scores while committing just seven turnovers. Displaying NFL-caliber accuracy and athleticism, O'Connell kept possessions alive and avoided backbreaking mistakes. While limited physically, O'Connell showed he could competently run Las Vegas' offense moving forward as a serviceable bridging option or solid backup. With more experience, O'Connell can continue progressing as a pro quarterback.

Kenny Pickett

Pickett battled through an up-and-down rookie campaign hindered by an anemic Pittsburgh attack. While careless stretches betrayed his inexperience, Pickett also wowed with perfect back-shoulder throws late in close losses. If free of stagnant schemes, Pickett may have produced much better than 2070 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. His gutsy play gives hope that with development, Pickett can improve timing, reads, and consistency—vital for success. An improved supporting cast and another offseason's study could allow Pickett's arm talent and willingness to take risks to better feature in 2024.

This table provides an overview of the 2023 season stats and grades for some of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL.

Player

Team

CMP%

YDS

TD

INT

YD/ATT

Grade

Brock Purdy

49ers

69.4

4280

31

11

9.64

B- (83.4)

C.J. Stroud

Texans

63.2

3844

21

5

8.13

A- (81.9)

Will Levis

Titans

58.4

1808

8

4

7.09

B- (80)

Sam Howell

Commanders

63.4

3946

21

21

6.45

D+ (78.6)

Aidan O'Connell

Raiders

62.1

2218

12

7

6.47

B- (76.8)

Kenny Pickett

Steelers

62.0

2070

6

4

6.39

C (75)

In summаry, the 2023 seаson, ассorԁing to the аbove tаble, reveаleԁ the рotentiаl for the uрсoming NFL quаrterbасks. Purԁy, Strouԁ, аnԁ others ԁemonstrаteԁ soliԁ skills, while Piсkett аnԁ severаl others exрerienсeԁ ԁeveloрmentаl setbасks.All these young quаrterbасks neeԁ is сonsistent рerformаnсe, teаm unity, аnԁ ԁeԁiсаteԁ stuԁy. Each has the potential to evolve into either future franchise pillars or dependable backup options, provided they fully harness this potential.