LOS ANGELES, CA – With the 2023 NFL Draft roughly one week away, it appears that the possible top overall pick in the draft is beginning to come into focus in the form of 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young.
Young, a 5’10, 204-pound standout from the University of Alabama, has seemingly emerged as the odds-on favorite over fellow SoCal native and high school rival, CJ Stroud of Ohio State to be selected No.1 by the Carolina Panthers.
With various media reports stating that Young has recently cancelled all his remaining interviews with other teams and that the Panthers have seemingly zeroed in on Young over Stroud, it is a high-risk, high-reward proposition for a franchise that is desperately trying to reestablish themselves.
This is not a slight towards Young at all, as he gives off Aaron Rodgers/Patrick Mahomes vibes with his ability to extend plays, accuracy and knack for making big plays, but with the recent trend of small QB’s such as fellow Heisman winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray failing to live up to expectations, as well as having durability issues due to their smaller frames, makes you want to give pause for concern for both the Panthers and Young.
If Young were 6′ and above, this is slam dunk and not even up for debate, but the fact that Young is somewhat vertically challenged by NFL standards is why this is a topic of pre-draft conversation. There is no question that Young is different and special kind of cat. Young is a great prospect, who can lift and elevate a franchise. He has those X-factor type of intangibles that you cannot quantify.
It’s a gamble and a risk, but Young appears to fit the mold of Panthers new head coach, Frank Reich more than Stroud. Perhaps its something that they see in Young that they don’t see in Stroud is the only reason one can ascertain why Carolina is leaning towards BY.
Height over hype? we will all find out soon enough.
One week out from the draft, and while it is pre-draft smokescreen season, but based on the above, it wouldn’t shock many if Young does hear his name called first in Kansas City.