Best Scheme Fits for the Top 4 Quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Indianapolis Colts are officially under 72 hours away from selecting their next quarterback of the future. It has been a long and exhausting draft process, but the big day is nearly here for the team.

While we do know that the Colts are going to select a quarterback in this draft, we don't know who that quarterback will be. We can feasibly assume that it will be one of the top four (C.J Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Bryce Young, and Will Levis) commonly mocked at the top of the draft.

Indianapolis Colts' Head Coach Shane Steichen is a notorious chameleon as a play-caller, and is known to adjust his scheme to fit the player that he has behind center. So today, let's dive into these top four quarterbacks and discuss which style of offense best fits each player.

*NOTE: These are not end-all-be-all systems for these prospects, these are simply a list of NFL schemes/styles that would best fit them on day one of their NFL careers.

C.J Stroud: West Coast Offense

C.J Stroud is the best rhythm passer in this draft class, so it makes all the sense in the world to stick him in an offensive scheme that revolves around the quick passing game. Stroud was simply lethal on short passing attempts at Ohio State, completing nearly 80% of his passes for 21 touchdowns and just one interception in two seasons on such passes.

Stroud's best attribute is his ball placement and precision, and this scheme accentuates that ability the best. In a West Coast Offense, Stroud can be the true distributor that he wants to be from the pocket. He would be able to dissect the certain match-up to exploit pre-snap and then place the ball exactly where it needs to go to create yards after the catch opportunities. Once the short game is clicking, then Stroud has the ability to hit the occasional vertical shot over the top.

Notable NFL Coaches with West Coast Offense Principles: Kellen Moore (LAC), Zac Taylor (CIN), Andy Reid (KC), Doug Pederson (JAX)

pic.twitter.com/aBNFnY3NcM
— Not Zach’s Burner (@NotZachsBurner1) December 6, 2022

Anthony Richardson: Air Coryell (with some Greg Roman run principles)

Anthony Richardson is the inverse of C.J Stroud in a lot of ways... Stroud is a short, rhythmic passer while Richardson's success comes in the vertical passing game. He was at his best down the field a year ago, having an adjusted completion percentage of 64.4% in the 10-19 yard passing range. He also threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four interceptions on all pass attempts over 10 yards a year ago.

Richardson has a long way to go as a passer, but the intermediate-deep game is where he excels right now. When you add in his ability to dictate numbers in the box to create more favorable situations to take those vertical shots, he is a near perfect fit for the Air Coryell system. If the team that drafts him mixes in some QB designed runs (like Greg Roman in Baltimore or Shane Steichen in Philadelphia), then you are cooking with fire.

Notable NFL Coaches with Air Coryell Principles: Bruce Arians (Fmr. TB), Shane Steichen (IND), Scott Turner (LV), Drew Petzing (ARI)

Anthony Richardson's flashes are so so good pic.twitter.com/oNvUxJX7GU
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) February 4, 2023

Bryce Young: Spread (with a Heavy Emphasis on Empty Personnel)

Bryce Young is a special processor. He sees the game at a different level than most passers, and he throws with the best anticipation in this draft class. Young was simply lethal at all areas of the field in college, completing 75.8% of his passes in the 0-9 yard range and passing for nearly 2,000 yards with 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions on throws over 10 yards. Young is a quarterback that creates natural spacing for receivers due to his anticipation and accuracy at all levels.

This style of play is perfect for a diverse spread system. Young primarily operated out of the gun a year ago and was able to dissect defenses with ease in that system. He is quick to diagnose his surroundings, and playing out of the gun helped him be the creative playmaker that he was in college. With his ability to spread the ball around and to attack at all three levels, the NFL version of the spread offense is perfect for Bryce Young.

Notable NFL Coaches with Spread Principles: Chip Kelly (Fmr. PHI), Shane Steichen (IND), Kliff Kingsbury (Fmr. ARI), Frank Reich (CAR)

1 minute and 44 seconds of @_bryce_young cooking at Bama ♨️ pic.twitter.com/K5YPxc8aqq
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2023

Will Levis: Erhardt-Perkins (with a Touch of Shanahan)

Will Levis is a talented quarterback prospect that is at his best in the quick game. He has a lightning fast release that allowed him to pick defenses apart over the middle of the field the past two seasons. He completed nearly 70% of his passes between the numbers last season, which is among the best in this entire draft class.

The Erhardt-Perkins offensive scheme (or E-P system) is a concept based system that is built around the power run game. The core philosophy of the scheme is to lean on the run game and then rip play-action pass concepts behind the crashing linebackers. With Levis' quick release, his ability on play-action, and his proficiency on a few key concepts (bang-eights and RPOs), he would be a phenomenal fit in this system.

Notable NFL Coaches with E-P Principles: Tim Kelly (TEN), Brian Daboll (NYG), Josh McDaniels (LV), Arthur Smith (ATL)

I think Will Levis could find some early success in a Frank Reich/Doug Pederson type of passing offense.

He has a fast release and his footwork issues can be mitigated on quick passes over the middle. He is a nice rhythm passer on these types of plays pic.twitter.com/RjBlDi3Ahw
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) December 27, 2022

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