The quarterback class for the 2023 NFL Draft is highly regarded, but Stetson Bennett isn’t considered to be in the upper echelon of prospects like Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. However, that’s not to say he isn’t regarded at all in NFL circles; after all, his story is one of the most remarkable in college football.
The Georgia signal caller has gone from former walk-on to National Champion and Heisman Trophy finalist. Bennett has the Dawgs primed to repeat as champions for the first time in more than a decade when Nick Saban’s Alabama went back-to-back. He’s undoubtedly an elite leader and gamer, but that’s not always how scouts see things. ESPN (subscription required) NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid ranked and discussed the top quarterbacks for the 2023 NFL Draft cycle; Bennett fell in the tier of Day 3/UDFA.
Bennett will forever be etched into the storied history of Georgia’s program after a magical run to its first national title in 40 years. But what does his draft stock look like? Bennett will turn 26 years old during the early stages of his rookie season, which might concern some teams. He also won’t meet a lot of teams’ threshold for size at the position.
But there is no arguing that he’s a gamer, playing with instincts and savvy. Bennett seems to always figure out a way to come out on top in crucial moments. He is an efficient processor who can play within structure, but he can also create when things break down. A surplus of talent at Georgia helped uplift his deficiencies, but he has enough arm strength for the next level. Case Keenum has been a common comparison for him among NFL scouts.
Potential team fit: Denver Broncos. It’s fair to say the first year of Russell Wilson in Denver has been a massive failure. It would be wise for the Broncos to invest in a cheap developmental option who potentially could ease the blow in the future if things continue to go poorly. The odds are heavily against Bennett being a long-term solution for any team, but he’s worth a shot as a well accomplished late-round hopeful.
Stetson Bennett came in as the No. 13 ranked quarterback prospect, out of 17, ahead of fellow Heisman finalist Max Duggan. However, Reid’s estimation leaves room for error. Day 3 consists of rounds 4 through 7, which is a massive window for someone like Bennett. He’s completed a hair under 68% of his passes for 3,425 yards and 20 touchdowns to only six interceptions, adding another 184 yards and seven scores on the ground.
He’s climbing the all-time leader boards in Georgia history, but the draft is another thing entirely. I wouldn’t be shocked if a team spent a mid-round pick on the Mailman, purely based on the team’s overall success. There are plenty of examples of prospects from championship teams being over-drafted. Bennett’s ceiling is probably a stopgap starter, and a more realistic outcome would be a high-quality backup. If the Bulldogs repeat as National Champions, I’d say Stetson Bennett getting drafted is a certainty.
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Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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