What Matters Most to Colts QB Prospects at NFL Combine

The NFL world descends on the city of Indianapolis this week as 319 prospects partake in the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Indianapolis Colts have the advantage of the combine taking place in their backyard. The Colts will be watching all prospects intently, but there is one position, in particular, they will be paying close attention to.

With the No.4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, it is safe to say the Colts will be selecting a quarterback to be the next face of the franchise. In this draft class, four quarterbacks have separated themselves at the top: Bryce Young of Alabama, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, Will Levis of Kentucky, and Anthony Richardson of Florida. One of these four will be paired with new head coach Shane Steichen to lead the Colts back to glory.

Unlike the last two times the Colts were slated to pick a quarterback at the top of the draft, there is no Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck. Each one of these prospects has questions regarding their play or physique. They hope to answer some of those questions at the combine this week.

Here is what the Colts will be looking at with each of the top four quarterback prospects this week as they evaluate who they want to choose in April.

Bryce Young - Measurements

Young is one of the most polarizing quarterback prospects in years. He has everything you would want in terms of what he can bring on the field. Accuracy, decision-making, and the ability to create and extend plays are all areas where Young excels.

However, his size is a complete outlier when it comes to starting quarterbacks. Young was listed at a generous 6'0" and 194 pounds at Alabama. Some NFL front office personnel expect Young to measure in smaller in both categories at the combine. Since 2003, no quarterback who has weighed less than 207 pounds at the NFL combine has been selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

Because of his small frame, there are valid concerns about Young's durability in the NFL. In terms of the Colts, general manager Chris Ballard is known to have strict requirements when it comes to physical traits for the players he drafts. If Young can measure closer to or above 200 pounds at the combine, it will go a long way to calming those concerns and may cement him as QB1 on many teams' boards.

C.J. Stroud - Athleticism

Stroud is in the conversation with Young to be the first quarterback taken in this spring's draft. Stroud lit up opposing defenses with the Buckeyes the past two seasons, showing off stellar arm strength, accuracy, and elite ball placement. At 6'3" and 218 pounds, there are no concerns about his frame and how it will hold up in the NFL.

The questions surrounding Stroud revolve around his overall athleticism. He was not asked to use his legs much while at Ohio State, instead attacking defenses from the pocket. However, he showed he could create and use his legs when needed against the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Stroud had 348 yards and four touchdowns through the air with 34 yards rushing as he continually evaded the Bulldogs' pressure.

Teams want to know if Stroud can do what he did against Georgia regularly. He can help prove his athletic ability at the combine through various on-field tests. If Stroud can prove his athleticism is close to the other top quarterbacks, it would be hard for the Colts to pass him up.

Will Levis - Accuracy

Levis has all the physical traits that NFL teams look for in a franchise quarterback. At 6'3" and 232 pounds, he has the prototypical size to go along with a rocket arm that can easily make every throw. Levis also possesses a physical running style that allows him to run through defenders as he picks up yardage with his legs.

One of the biggest concerns with Levis is his accuracy. There are times when he misses wide-open receivers or makes it much harder than it needs to be for his receiver to catch the football. The margin for error in the NFL is much smaller than in college, and those throws need to be on target.

Levis will have the chance to show that he has improved his accuracy by throwing at the combine. While working with receivers he has never played with before will be a challenge, it can be an opportunity to show strides in his accuracy that could help teams believe he can improve in this area. The NFL is much higher on Levis than fans and media, and with the physical tools he possesses, an accurate showing could boost his stock.

Anthony Richardson - Footwork

Richardson is the ultimate boom-or-bust prospect in this class. He has the best physical traits of any of the quarterbacks by a mile at 6'4" and 232 pounds with a howitzer for an arm. Richardson's speed and mobility make him the ultimate dual-threat quarterback, drawing comparisons to Cam Newton.

But Richardson is still quite young in his development. With only one year of starting experience in college, Richardson has plenty of things to clean up when it comes to his mechanics. Footwork is the biggest knock on Richardson, and his accuracy struggles greatly because of it.

Scouts will be looking at Richardson's footwork as he throws at the combine to see if he has worked on this area. If there is improvement in his footwork and accuracy, it could help convince the Colts Richardson is not as raw as he may seem. However, if footwork and accuracy remain a concern, Richardson will be seen more as a project than someone who can contribute right away.

Everything these quarterbacks do over the next few months will be examined under a microscope. Ballard, Steichen, and the rest of the Colts' decision-makers will evaluate each one as they search for the answer to the most important position in football. There is an immense amount of pressure on the Colts to get the quarterback decision correct.

Get it right, and they have found their franchise quarterback for years to come. Get it wrong, and they will not be making the decision the next time the Colts take a quarterback.

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