The quarterback position is usually the most talked about during any draft cycle, and with Caleb Williams dominating the headlines ahead of the 2024 draft, CBS Sports is ranking the five most recent QB classes — including this year’s group.
Florida fans only care about the two Gators quarterbacks drafted over the past five years — Anthony Richardson and Kyle Trask — so we’ll cut to the chase. Richardson is ranked No. 13 by writer Chris Trapasso and Trask didn’t make the list as a depth player in Tampa.
Richardson might have more talent than his ranking on this list suggests, but Trapasso notes that he’s hurt by playing in just three games before getting injured as a rookie.
“Richardson probably gets an artificial boost because he hasn’t played, and sometimes not playing is better than playing for the reputation of NFL quarterbacks,” Trapasso wrote. “But this was my QB1 in the 2023 draft, ever-so-slightly ahead of C.J. Stroud. We saw Richardson for 2.5 games, and, after his season-ending shoulder injury, his head coach Shane Steichen nearly got a Gardner Minshew-led Colts club to the playoffs.”
There is plenty of optimism surrounding Richardson, but a weak receiver corps makes for a tough comeback from injury. Trapasso suggests addressing that concern in the draft, but the Colts could go in a different direction.
QBs drafted better than Richardson
Joe Burrow (Bengals), Jordan Love (Packers) and C.J. Stroud (Texans) make for a strong top three, but there’s a surprise in North Carolina’s Drake Maye at No. 4. Caleb Williams will go first overall in this upcoming draft, but Maye might have more talent. Trapasso seems to think so. Rounding out the top five is Justin Herbert of the Chargers.
The rest of the list can be found here.
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