The Carolina Panthers are set to select Bryce Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after identifying the former Alabama star as their franchise quarterback of the future.
February’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis saw a strong showing from the heralded quarterback class with Alabama’s Bryce Young, Kentucky’s Will Levis, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and Florida’s Anthony Richardson all receiving rave reviews either from the workouts or interview process. Carolina certainly saw enough to make a move, completing a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears to move up to the first overall pick.
Ahead of this month’s draft, the Panthers jumped nine places to have the pick of the talent. The franchise traded the ninth overall pick, the 61st overall pick, a 2024 first-round selection and a 2025 second-round selection as well as star receiver DJ Moore to the Bears.
Amid reports the Panthers and head coach Frank Reich are ‘enamoured’ with the supremely-athletic Richardson, it appears the franchise are set to pick Young out of Alabama. The 21-year-old enjoyed a strong college career in Tuscaloosa, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2021.
Young is set to visit the Houston Texans, who pick second overall later this month, but NFL insider Adam Schefter believes it is a waste of time. Speaking on ESPN, Schefter said: “I think the ship has sailed. I think Bryce Young is going to be the number one pick.”
He added: “The Carolina Panthers are doing their due diligence which includes a visit next week on Tuesday with the Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud who will come in and visit, and will try to impress the Panthers officials - and try to change their mind about the number one overall pick. People know how highly respected Stroud is; we’ll see if the Panthers change their mind upon his visit to Carolina.”
Young is undoubtedly an attractive prospect, but this is a class loaded with quarterback talent where each skillset is truly unique. The former Alabama star has a small frame, which has placed a number of interested teams on alert.
However, his arm talent is exceptional while Young clearly understands the fundamentals of the game. According to Albert Breer, Young scored an impressive score of 98 on the S2 cognitive test - a higher total than Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Justin Fields, who were each considered high scorers in their own right.
