The year is 2004 & Alex Proyas’ blockbuster “I, Robot” is hitting theaters. Detective Del
Spooner (Will Smith) is charged with investigating the death of a US Robotics scientist who
happened to be developing a “humanoid” robot. Fast forward to 2023, and Artificial Intelligence
is sweeping the planet. From fake Drake songs (banger, by the way) to full on business plans and
sitcom scripts, ChatGPT, and its potential, has the internet in a frenzy.
With the NFL draft only a few days away, I thought it would be interesting to preview the next
crop of football’s superstars while integrating this new AI technology. I asked ChatGPT to rank a
few of the 2023 quarterback prospects to get a feel for how a bunch of code that I don’t really
understand views talent versus my highly un-qualified, untrained eye.
Below is the prompt I fed ChatGPT.
“Rank the following quarterback prospects: Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Will Levis, Anthony
Richardson, & Hendon Hooker ”
Below is what the robot spit back at me, with my analysis in red.
“As an AI language model, I do not have access to the most recent data and scouting reports to
make an accurate assessment of the current crop of quarterback prospects. However, based on
general ranking factors, here is the ranking of these quarterbacks:”
(This big, bad computer program doesn’t even have access to current data and statistics?
Advantage, humans.)
1. Bryce Young
- He has impressive physical attributes, mental processing skills, and potential to
develop into a successful NFL quarterback.
- Impressive physical attributes, huh? Nothing screams “NFL QB” like a 5’10” QB
that drank enough water before the NFL Combine to make the good people of
Flint, Michigan blush, just to weigh in at over 200 pounds. All that aside, I think
ChatGPT is correct in its ranking of Young. Despite his small frame, he is the
most polished quarterback in this class.
2. CJ Stroud
- He has shown great potential and impressive production in his college career so
far, with good physical attributes and mental processing skills.
- Sensing a theme with the language ChatGPT uses. In this case, it’s correct in that
Stroud has good physical attributes. However, there are concerns with his mental
processing skills under pressure and with a collapsing pocket. Stroud had the
luxury of playing with NFL-caliber guys along the offensive line and skill
positions.(You mean to tell me there’s ANOTHER Marvin Harrison?)
I do agree with ranking Stroud in the second spot, though.
3. Anthony Richardson
- He has shown impressive physical attributes, but may need to develop his mental
processing skills and consistency.
- The computer nailed this one. Anthony Richardson might be the most physically
gifted quarterback the NFL has ever seen. (Think Cam Newton, but MORE
athletic). However, his accuracy leaves much to be desired. He hasn’t shown the
ability to cycle through his progressions and deliver an accurate ball. Even though
his ceiling is sky-high, I don’t feel comfortable ranking him at number three,
though he’s not much further down my board at number four.
4. Hendon Hooker
- He has shown good production in college and has solid physical attributes, but
may need to improve his mental processing and decision making skills.
- This one is fun. Hooker is interesting considering he had a very successful college
career, though it was cut short by a torn ACL. He’ll also be 25 years old when
drafted. Anytime a quarterback 25 or older is drafted, my mind immediately races
to Brandon Weeden. Quarterbacks typically need a couple years to adjust to the
NFL game and I’d have a hard time giving the keys to Hooker, who I have as my
fifth ranked QB.
5. Will Levis
- He has shown potential in his college career so far, but needs more consistent
production and improvement in his mental processing skills.
- Levis is currently the odds-on favorite to be drafted with the second pick. While I
don’t agree with Levis as the second QB taken, I like him more than the computer
does. He had a stellar 2021 season behind a good offensive line but struggled with
consistency in 2022 behind an offensive line that was weaker than Johnny
Manziel’s liver in 2014. Levis has a rocket arm, quick release, & the athleticism to
escape a collapsing pocket. I have him ranked as my number three QB in this class.
Overall, ChatGPT did a decent job in evaluating the incoming rookie quarterback class, though it
lacks the nuance to truly evaluate human attributes. That being said, the following quote from
2004’s I, Robot rings surprisingly relevant in 2023.
“Human beings have dreams. Even dogs have dreams, but not you, you are just a machine. An
imitation of life. Can a robot write a symphony? Can a robot turn a... canvas into a beautiful
masterpiece?” That answer is an emphatic yes.
