Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michael Chen

Where Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud lands on Chris Simms top draft quarterbacks

The NFL Draft is almost here and plenty of analysts are trying to decide where Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young and the rest of the quarterbacks are expected to get selected.

Former Texas star quarterback Chris Simms has put his top six out there and he also rated them by tiers. Although his NFL career wasn’t as successful as his collegiate one, Simms still knows what a high level quarterback should look like.

Buy Buckeyes Tickets

Find out below where Simms ranks each of his top six quarterbacks along with what tier they are in prior to being selected in the NFL Draft.

Tier 4 - UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Breakdown

It’s a bit surprising to see DTR here, as not many believe that he is inside the top group. He played in a pro-style system at UCLA and has the size and skill set that will intrigue NFL teams but I just don’t see him among the top prospects in this draft.

Tier 4 - Kentucky’s Will Levis

Breakdown

Can’t argue with putting Levis here. He shouldn’t be viewed as a top selection just because he has a strong arm. His stats tell a story about a quarterback who couldn’t beat out Trace McSorley at Penn State and after transferring, didn’t dominate in the SEC. Tier 4 is exactly where he should be.

Tier 3 - Florida’s Anthony Richardson

Breakdown

One could argue that Richardson deserves to be a tier above this, but football isn’t played in shorts and a t-shirt with no rush. He did wow everyone with impressive combine testing numbers, but again, his production doesn’t match the current hype.

Tier 2 - Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker

Breakdown

If it wasn’t for an ACL injury, Hooker should very well be in this tier, but NFL teams will be put off by having to wait until he is fully healthy and that he’s a bit older than the other prospects at 25. Hendon’s worth a gamble but not until the second round at the earliest.

Tier 2 - Alabama’s Bryce Young

Breakdown

If it wasn’t for his smaller stature, Young probably is the top quarterback on this list. Quarterbacks his size have had plenty of success in the NFL, but it’s a risk due to potential injury concerns and the ability to see over the line. Aside from that, Young has a lot of upside to his game.

Tier 1 - Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud

Breakdown

Hard to argue this analysis from Simms. Stroud has the size, arm, and body of work that puts him above the rest of the competition. Many believe he is the favorite to be selected by Carolina with the top overall pick. Even if he isn’t, Stroud should have a very impressive NFL career.

Simm’s full list

Breakdown

The top two are exactly where they should be and then it gets a bit murky. Just looking at the tape, this probably makes sense, but there is much more than just that when it comes to NFL teams making their selection on draft day.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.