QBs taken in 2023 NFL Draft: How ‘Brock Purdy Effect’ led to record run of quarterback draft picks

Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson saw their NFL futures sorted out quickly at the draft on Thursday night. It took longer than anticipated for Will Levis and Hendon Hooker to say the same, but the second night of the draft placed both quarterbacks in new homes. 

The draft's third day saw an unprecedented run on quarterbacks. From big names like two-time national champion Stetson Bennett to under-the-radar fliers such as BYU's Jaren Hall, a slew of developmental prospects found their place on an NFL depth chart and are now in position to make an impact on Sunday at some point down the line.

If the 2022 season proved anything, that day could come sooner rather than later for some of the mid-round quarterbacks drafted this year. 

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Here's what you need to know about all of the quarterbacks taken in the 2023 NFL Draft and why so many came off the board. 

How many QBs were taken in 2023 NFL Draft?

14 quarterbacks have come off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft. That's well beyond last year's total, which was only nine quarterbacks.

There were 12 quarterbacks selected within the first five rounds, setting a draft record for most signal-callers taken in that span.

The 2023 quarterback class has long been considered better at the top than the 2022 class, but it wasn't thought to have record-setting depth. One reason for the run on quarterbacks might be the success of San Francisco's Brock Purdy and even Miami's Skylar Thompson. 

Both Purdy and Thompson were seventh-round picks last year - in fact, Purdy was the last pick of the draft - but both started crucial games for their teams and performed better than expected. Purdy didn't lose a game until the NFC championship, avoiding turnovers and playing to the strengths of Kyle Shanahan's system. 

LIVE: Grades & analysis for every pick in 2023 NFL Draft

Purdy's story may have inspired a run on quarterbacks for two reasons. For one, NFL teams may see a late-round quarterback who fits extremely well in their offensive system and take that chance. Purdy has plenty of talent, but John Lynch and Shanahan identifying him as a fit in their system was a major reason for the 49ers' success once Purdy took over. It allowed the engine to keep running for the team after major injuries. 

Perhaps more importantly, the 49ers' situation might have been a reminder to teams that emergency quarterbacks are an absolute necessity.

Purdy entered the season as San Francisco's No. 3 QB but rose to the top of the depth chart after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. A record 64 quarterbacks started games in 2022. That means teams, on average, used two different starting quarterbacks.

As long as that trend continues, and the NFL's enhanced concussion protocol means it likely will, developmental QBs such as Jake Haener, Stetson Bennett, Aidan O'Connell, and Clayton Tune may see NFL action sooner than anyone expected. 

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QBs taken in 2023 NFL Draft

Three quarterbacks came off the board within the first four picks. The Panthers took Bryce Young first overall as expected, while the Texans went with C.J. Stroud despite rumors they wouldn't draft a quarterback with their top pick.

After the Colts landed Anthony Richardson at No. 4, Will Levis was the odd man out and had to wait until the second round to hear the Titans call his name. Tennessee's Hendon Hooker was the only other Day 2 quarterback, going to the Lions. 

The third day of the draft saw a run on developmental quarterbacks, starting with Fresno State's Jake Haener and Georgia legend Stetson Bennett back-to-back. Aidan O'Connell, Clayton Tune, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson were all taken in a span of six picks, followed by Sean Clifford at No. 149 and Jaren Hall at No. 164. 

Stanford's Tanner McKee, who was considered by many the No. 6 quarterback in the draft behind Levis and Hooker, finally saw his slide end when the Eagles drafted him 188th overall. Heisman Trophy runner-up Max Duggan became the 14th quarterback selected when the Chargers took him at No. 239. 

Most QBs ever taken in one NFL Draft

The record for most quarterbacks taken in one NFL Draft is 26. That record is safe in 2023, and likely permanently. The draft spanned 480 picks in 1976, over 200 more than the current format.

14 quarterbacks is still on the high end for most modern-day drafts, though 2016 (15) and 2014 (14) are recent examples of drafts with a high number of signal-callers selected. 

Below is the number of quarterbacks selected in each of the last 10 NFL Drafts.