Predicting Every 2023 Drafted Rookie QB’s First NFL Start | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Dorian Thompson-RobinsonSam Wasson/Getty Images

If these quarterbacks draw a meaningful start in the foreseeable future, something has gone terribly wrong for their respective teams.

Jake Haener, New Orleans Saints (4th round, pick No. 25)

Haener may well be the most underrated arm talent in the 2023 class, and he was a good get for the Saints. But New Orleans just handed Derek Carr a bag of cash and has an experienced backup behind him in Jameis Winston. Until Winston leaves, Haener isn’t seeing more than a kneel-down or two at the end of a blowout.

Week 9, 2024

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland Browns (5.05)

Thompson-Robinson is an experienced collegiate starter with quite a bit of potential. Unfortunately, he also landed on a team with a starter in the second year of a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. Barring an injury to Deshaun Watson, Thompson-Robinson’s only game time is coming in preseason.

Week 5, 2025

Sean Clifford, Penn State (5.14)

Clifford may be the guy who beat out Will Levis to start at Penn State, but he’s not going to beat out Jordan Love to start in Green Bay. Even if Love struggles somewhat in 2023, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t about to admit that he completely mishandled the whole Aaron Rodgers saga. So long as Love’s healthy, he’s the guy.

Week 9, 2024

Jaren Hall, Minnesota Vikings (5.29)

Hall has the ability to eventually become a decent backup, but that’s about it. As much as some Vikings fans would like to think of a future without Kirk Cousins, it’s not happening anytime soon. Were Cousins to suffer an injury this year, it would all but certainly be journeyman backup Nick Mullens who draws the start.

Week 8, 2025

Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles (6.11)

You can’t fault Howie Roseman for hedging his bet at quarterback, and McKee threw for nearly 3,000 yards last year at Stanford. But the Eagles just gave Jalen Hurts $255 million to be the starter and have Marcus Mariota backing him up. Can I interest you in a meaningless Week 18 games in a couple of years?

Week 18, 2024

Max Duggan, Los Angeles Chargers (7.22)

Duggan was a star at TCU, and it’s not outside the realm of reason that he could beat out Easton Stick to back up Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. But Herbert is the unquestioned starter for the Chargers, so barring an injury, Duggan had better get used to holding a clipboard.

Week 12, 2024