Will the Panthers Select Bryce Young with No.1 Overall Pick? 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

Is Bryce Young going to be the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. How far could he fall if he isn't? Lance Fernandez takes a look at where Young might get drafted.

The MMQB Senior NFL reporter Albert Breer shared that former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young scored a 98 on his S2 cognition test. That examination gauges a player’s processing skills, which could help them stay on top of what’s happening on the field.

Young’s score is higher than what Justin Fields, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen got from their tests.

Could this be the final assessment that will convince the Carolina Panthers to take him with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft? While it’s not yet sure whom Commissioner Roger Goodell will call between him and C.J. Stroud first, it’s a safe bet that Carolina won’t trade up to number one if they are not getting a quarterback.

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Is Bryce Young Going To Be The First Pick In The NFL Draft?

There’s a 50 percent chance the Panthers will select Young, especially after multiple reports surfaced that he has canceled all his pre-draft visits. By then, he has only visited the Panthers and the Houston Texans, owners of the second overall pick.

Therefore, there could be some assurance that Young won’t go lower than two. However, there are speculations that the Texans might not draft a quarterback. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter gave a feel that the Indianapolis Colts, picking fourth overall, might even have a shot at getting the second quarterback on the board.

If the Texans don’t draft a quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals don’t need another one after giving Kyler Murray a multi-year extension. But will Young fall to number four? It’s plausible but doubtful.

What the Panthers will get if they draft Bryce Young

If Carolina goes for Bryce Young at number one, they will get a play-caller with high-level instincts and a strong arm. His football IQ is off the charts, and he can thread tight windows with accurate passes. Young makes the best decision depending on what’s happening on the field and remains calm under pressure.

Yet despite those attributes, his size could be a concern, especially in the NFL, where defensive players can reach him faster and hit him harder. Does he have the durability to take the blows from those chasing him? Will he be able to see his targets downfield, considering his 5’ 10” height? Stroud is 6’ 3” and has a 69.3 completion percentage. Young is at 65.8 percent, but he threw 153 more passes than Stroud.

Still, the positive marks outweigh Young’s perceived limitations. But Carolina will have a difficult decision in choosing between Young and Stroud. But when they go on the clock, the Panthers will go for the 2021 Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award winner.

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