Quarterbacks

Bryce Young (Panthers) NFL Draft Preview

By Doug Burrell

Posted on May 1, 2023

Post-Draft Fantasy Impact

Bryce Young has found his new home with the Carolina Panthers after being selected as the number one pick in the NFL draft. The Panthers have undergone a significant overhaul in the offseason, and their revamped offense will look to pass more this year. Young is poised to benefit greatly from this shift in strategy and is in an enviable position compared to his fellow rookie quarterbacks.

The Panthers offensive line is bringing back all five starters, and should provide Young with much-needed protection and time in the pocket. The offseason addition of Adam Thielen and DJ Chark, both talented veterans, will also aid his development, and his chemistry with these weapons will be essential in unlocking the Panthers’ full offensive potential.

The NFC South is perhaps the weakest division in football, which bodes well for Young’s fantasy prospects. Young could potentially rack up significant yardage and touchdowns playing twice against his division opponents. Young is my second-ranked rookie quarterback for fantasy purposes. My initial projections have him passing for 3294 yards and 22 touchdowns. I have him projected for 217 fantasy points, which would have put him as the QB-25 last season. This is assuming he starts week 1, which is not a sure thing. 

In redraft leagues, Young is a low-end QB2 with significant upside. He could be an excellent option for fantasy managers who carry two quarterbacks or who stream the position. However, in dynasty leagues, Young’s potential is even greater, and he could become a viable QB1 in the near future. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues should target him early and often, as he could be a game-changer for years to come.

Bryce Young’s landing spot with the Carolina Panthers has given him a great chance to succeed in fantasy football. With a revamped offense, improved offensive line, and favorable schedule, Young has the potential to be a valuable asset for fantasy managers in both redraft and dynasty leagues.

Bryce Young NFL Draft Preview

Bryce Young is one of the most highly touted prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. The junior from Alabama is coming off an outstanding season where he finished as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated passer, and he is considered to be a top quarterback prospect in the upcoming draft.

At only 5’10” and 204 pounds, Young is smaller than the prototypical NFL quarterback. However, his impressive skill set and playmaking ability more than make up for his lack of size. In fact, many experts have compared Young to Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray, both of whom have found success at the NFL level despite their smaller stature.

Measurables

• 5’10” 204 lbs
• Arm Length 30.5″
• Hand Size 9.75″

So you're telling me Bryce Young was only 5-10 and 1/8th of an inch when he went 25-43 for 412 yards and 3TDs to beat the best collegiate defense of the past decade? https://t.co/TwiqJD2oUk pic.twitter.com/Ed0rUL0JcD

— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) March 4, 2023

Positives

Young’s greatest strength as a quarterback is his playmaking ability. He has a knack for extending plays and making something out of nothing when things break down. This is a valuable trait in a quarterback, as it keeps defenses guessing and allows for big plays to develop. Additionally, Young has demonstrated an impressive ability to throw on the run, which adds another dimension to his already impressive skill set.

Another aspect of Young’s game that sets him apart is his ability to place the ball in tight spaces. He has demonstrated excellent ball placement, which is crucial for success at the NFL level. With a good arm and excellent accuracy, Young is able to put the ball where his receivers can make plays and gain yards after the catch.

Young also receives praise for his leadership and high football IQ. He commands respect in the huddle and remains calm when playing from behind. These are critical qualities for a quarterback in the NFL, where games can be won or lost in the final minutes of play.

Negatives

Despite his impressive skill set, some experts have raised concerns about Young’s size. They wonder if his body can hold up to the physicality of the NFL. While Young only suffered one injury in his college career, which caused him to miss one game, he will not have the luxury of the Crimson Tide offensive line protecting him in the NFL.

Young has also been criticized for staying in the pocket too long waiting for a play to develop. He’ll need to adjust to the tempo of play in the NFL and release the ball quicker, or he could find himself running for his life in the backfield.

In terms of measurables, Young stands at 5’10” and 204 pounds, with an arm length of 30.5″ and a hand size of 9.75″. While his size may be a concern for some teams, it has not stopped other quarterbacks of similar stature from finding success at the NFL level.

Grade A+

Despite the concerns about his size and style of play, there is no denying that Young has the potential to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. He set records at Alabama for single-season passing yards (4,872) and touchdowns (47) and finished second in career passing yards (8,356) and touchdowns (80) in only two seasons as a starter. In addition to his Heisman Trophy win in 2021, Young also won the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year Award, the Maxwell Award for the best player in college football, the Manning Award for the top quarterback in college football, and the Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award in 2022.

Young will most likely end up on a bad team, so he will have his work cut out for him. Wherever he lands, he will undoubtedly be hyped as the savior of the franchise on day one. However, with his impressive skill set, playmaking ability, accuracy, and leadership, he has all the necessary tools to lead a team to success in the NFL.

Bryce Young is a magician in the pocket 🪄 pic.twitter.com/araSfGRtcZ

— PFF (@PFF) March 11, 2023