The Panthers have now officially drafted Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, a conclusion most people have expected since the team traded up for the No. 1 pick with whatever remaining draft capital they had not already spent trading for various other quarterbacks over the past three seasons.
To some, this may seem like their most defenseless move yet. Dealing the picks required for Sam Darnold, Matt Corral and Baker Mayfield was one thing. Dealing significant capital across three drafts, in addition to a top-tier wide receiver (DJ Moore), for one of the shortest (5'10") and lightest (204 pounds) quarterbacks in modern NFL history is another. One idea—resurrecting a quarterback believed to be better than his track record shows—is easily defensible in league circles. Another idea—taking a player whose only historical comparison would be Drew Brees on keto—is less so. But why?
I’ll go ahead and take what I consider an easy layup here by defending both Young and the Panthers, who are finally taking a more calculated swing at fixing the quarterback position long term. At least, that’s the way I see it. In fact, his selection finally represents a departure from the Panthers’ previous predicament under Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer, an executive who has had to wear his inability to deliver a passer for the past three seasons, and then watched that failure force a coaching change. That’s precisely why this pick is a good thing.
