The NFL offseason flies by. Free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft are behind us, and all 32 teams are in the process of completing OTAs and mandatory minicamps. At this stage we’re giving ourselves a nice little break before the players return to the team facilities for training camp.
As you’ve probably noticed by now, the NFL’s news cycle runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. One of the storylines that fans and journalists alike are keeping an eye on is how the rookies are adjusting to NFL life — especially when it comes to the quarterbacks. A total of 14 quarterbacks were selected in this year’s draft, including a record breaking 11 in the first 150 selections.
Some of these quarterbacks are expected to be franchise players while others are signalers on the lookout. Let’s take a look at the league and how some of them have fared so far.
By all accounts, the No. 1 overall pick has impressed since day one with the Panthers. Head coach Frank Reich said Young’s command was “10 out of 10” in the first practice session, and new teammate Andy Dalton said the freshman pointed to a misdesignated game or formation that first week. according to WCNC in Charlotte. Other panthers spoke out loudly in their support of Young as well as. Donte Jackson says they’re happy with the “dawg” they got, Brian Burns says the quarterback has modest confidence, and DJ Chark says Young is leading the Panthers to “some really high places,” according to ESPN can.
Everyone knew Young’s football IQ would quickly catch the eye, but there were even more concerns about his physique. During mandatory minicamp, a ball was passed to him at the line of scrimmage, and reporter Scott Fowler asked Reich if he was concerned about the potential issue.
“No, Scott,” Reich replied over Panthers Wire. “That’s really not the case because I actually thought we saw a lot more balls being hit — because we don’t go live and tell them not to hit the quarterback. So the line of defense – – They charge, then they go, and then there they stand, you know, more guys standing with their hands up. So, to be perfectly honest, I expected a lot more shots to be saved by all quarterbacks. And so, yeah, I didn’t think much about it. I thought the quarterbacks saw the holes well.
The second overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft made a strong first impression on his teammates, particularly 10-year veteran wide receiver and Houston Texan freshman Robert Woods. The Super Bowl LVI champion caught passes from both Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams, as well as Ryan Tannehill while playing for one of Houston’s AFC South rivals, the Tennessee Titans, in 2022. So far he has enjoyed working with the rookie passer.
“[He’s] competitive,” Woods said of NFL Media’s Omar Ruiz when asked about Stroud. “He’s throwing a really good ball, nice touch.” He’s a good quarterback with a good touch and knows how to get the ball rolling. Immediately he was big in the quarterback bag [and] make good decisions. I already like where he is.
Stroud has also reached out to another starting receiver on the other side of the NFL experience spectrum, 24-year-old Nico Collins. According to Sports Illustrated, the Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback and Michigan Wolverines receiver were Minicamp’s top connections when it came to generating first downs. Stroud was the guy who got first-team offensive reps at minicamp, and while he played well, head coach DeMeco Ryans valued the pro’s resilience most in his freshman year when things weren’t going well. He threw his first interception drill on day two of minicamp, but on the next drive he threw an 18-yard touchdown for new Texans tight end Dalton Schultz.
“As a quarterback, you have to have a short memory, you can’t let one bad game turn into three bad plays,” Ryans said, according to Sports Illustrated. “Leave that behind you. You’re going to make some bad plays, but as long as it doesn’t lead to more bad plays, I’m fine with that. To see him and see his determination the way he was.” I was able to come back, keep up, cut down offense and get a touchdown there at the end of practice – that was pretty cool to see.”
Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and NFL Combine quarterback record-holder in the long jump (10’9″) and vertical jump (40’5″), has experienced both the ups and downs associated with making the draft jump from college to the NFL with just 13 starts.
“God has blessed me with this and I’m grateful, but the game isn’t always physically demanding,” Richardson said on Tuesday. “As I said before, we play against professionals. These guys are also physically gifted. Everyone runs 4.4 seconds, 4.5 seconds, 4.6 seconds.” [40-yard dashes]. Just because I’m fast doesn’t mean I can just run around people, because they’re fast too. I just want to get mentally better every day and go out and play quarterback and not just be a freak athlete who knows how to throw the ball far.
“It was everything I dreamed of,” Richardson said. “It was a lot of work, and when I say a lot of work, I mean it.” a lot work. Just being here with the vets, just watching them work and just trying to find my own routine in everything and just struggling day in and day out. Everything I dreamed of, but it’s definitely a lot.”
Going from just coming face-to-face with his freshman-year teammates in rookie mini-camp to coming face-to-face with the Colts’ veteran defense was like increasing the difficulty to All-Madden for Richardson.
“It was very different from the rookie mini-camp,” he said of his first encounter against longtime Indianapolis defenders. “I only see boys flying around. I pulled the ball.” [and ran] read once on a zone, and the [defensive] The end haunted me. He was right next to me. I’m like, “Okay, that’s different.” It was definitely quick.”
Though his minicamp experience has been mixed, as he himself admits, Richardson is trying to find ways to continue growing as a top-level quarterback.
“You have to learn from mistakes,” Richardson said. “I’m constantly trying to get information and learn from my mistakes so I can do my job as well as possible for the team. I’m like, ‘okay, what is this? Coach, what does that have to do with it? What.’ “What happens when they do that?” he said. “Just collect information and absorb it. I just love it.”
His learning curve isn’t too daunting, however, as Richardson made sure to open his press conference with a comedic throwback to former NFL media darling, running back Marshawn Lynch.
Ryan Tannehill is QB1 for the Titans beginning in 2023, while Levis is QB3 behind Malik Willis for now. Many expect that to change once the regular season begins, although Willis has put together a very solid mini-camp for himself.
Levis has a special arm, but there’s a lot more to being a successful NFL quarterback. He excelled in the rookie minicamp, but there were more ups and downs in the OTAs. There was a viral clip of Levis completely missing a net during a position drill, but he made it “Hits” also on video.
Levis didn’t have a great day during the Titans’ most recent OTA session as he threw three interceptions. However, two of those picks were deflected off the line of scrimmage. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel then discussed those deflected interceptions with reporters.
“Well, I mean, I think it shows you that it takes all 11 [players] “To be able to protect and sometimes when you’re trying to throw those timing routes in 3rd and 7th you have to be in the right place and then the ball can’t tip over, that Protection has to be there,” Vrabel said. “When we throw the ball across the field, we have to make sure that the receiver – us or nobody.” So that’s another situation that will be shown tomorrow morning with these newcomers. It is your responsibility to ensure that the ball is not intercepted when we take a shot across the field.”
Not many believed Stetson Bennett could be a legitimate starting quarterback for a big program, win multiple national championships, or be an NFL draft pick. He did it all. How about being a successful NFL quarterback? On the training ground he impressed in every way.
“I was really happy with him,” McVay said via Yahoo Sports. “The only thing that stands out is that the game makes sense for Stetson when the ball is in Stetson’s hands. He has a good sense of getting through progress quickly Cover counters being seen, but he senses open areas and gets through things quickly. I love athletics, but there is still a lot to do. It stays nice and stable, doesn’t get too high or too low, and that’s fun to be around.”