Have three Black QBs ever been selected in the top ten of the NFL draft? Bryce Young and co could make history
The 2023 NFL draft is one of the deeper classes when it comes to the quarterback position and there's a chance we could see three going within the top 10.
Bryce Young of Alabama, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, and University of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson are poised to make history. It would be the second trio of black signal-callers taken in the first round.
In 1999, quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith, and Daunte Culpepper were selected in the opening round of that year's NFL draft. McNabb was taken second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith third overall to the Cincinnati Bengals, and Culpepper 11th overall to the Minnesota Vikings.
In a phone interview with Andscape, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid was high on Young, Stroud, and Richardson. Reid feels that these three are the top quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL draft:
“They’re my top three guys right now. I have it Young, Stroud and Richardson. And, yeah, if they all [are drafted in the first round], it would be something that hasn’t happened in quite a long time.”
Reid also elaborated on Young and how the Crimson Tide star checks all the boxes to become an NFL quarterback:
“There aren’t really a whole bunch of concerns with him as far as just playing the position. He was a fantastic leader and Alabama, which [last season] wasn’t what it normally is from a personnel standpoint.
"They didn’t have that first-round receiver like we’ve seen in years past, and the offensive line was inconsistent. He was really good at kind of uplifting all of those guys.”
Jordan Reid on C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson in the 2023 NFL draft
Similar to Young, Reid likes what he sees in Stroud. Reid noted that the Buckeyes star has mastered the skill of playing the quarterback position:
“You talk about somebody who’s just a natural at playing the position. The best way I can put it is when you watch him, it’s like going to a baseball game and watching the ace pitcher, the No. 1 pitcher, go to work."
While talking about Richardson, Reid commented that the Gators star is better than most people think and has terrific upside on the next level:
“There’s always a stigma with athletic Black quarterbacks, and a lot of [draft analysts] don’t go to the film to watch him. He’s much more polished than what people are saying about him. You’re going to hear that he’s a raw prospect, that he isn’t accurate and things like that.
"But I just think that’s all from inexperience. I don’t even count the 2021 season with him because he was going back and forth each series with [another] quarterback."
No matter where these three future franchise quarterbacks go, all three will be looking to make history before stepping onto the field. Fans will have to wait and see where they land in this year's NFL draft.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Andscape and H/T Sportskeeda.