After weeks of wondering, the Carolina Panthers have their guy. And there are reasons to suggest quarterback Bryce Young was the right call at No. 1 overall.
It's done. At long last, the Carolina Panthers confirmed their No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft after seven weeks of rumors, assessments, and heated debates among the fanbase.
It was a remarkable moment - almost surreal - as Roger Goodell made his way to the podium. Something that revealed what many expected - Bryce Young hearing his name called first.
The quarterback generated some significant momentum over the business end of evaluations. However, it appears as if this has been the prospect for some time based on what's emerged from leading insiders with knowledge of the situation.
Carolina's primary decision-makers were never going to please everyone. But there should be a level of trust between fans and the new regime given their outstanding work throughout a sensational offseason so far.
With that being said, here are three reasons why the Panthers selecting Young was the right call all things considered.
Reason No. 1
Carolina Panthers are getting a true leader
While Bryce Young might not have the flamboyance of Cam Newton, he was still regarded as an exceptional leader at Alabama. And don't let the quiet voice fool you - this is a highly competitive individual that demands a lot of himself and those around him.
Young's got the look of a kid that keeps to himself and lets others take the lead. But when it's time to step up, the prospect is an absolute killer- someone that other players naturally gravitate towards and will run through brick walls for.
This sentiment was recently echoed by Newton when discussing Young, saying that you could see his old Crimson Tide teammates were selling out for him on film. A fantastic recommendation by anyone's standards.
Carolina Panthers have complete package in Bryce Young
While others such as C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson could be tremendous pros in the right fit, the Carolina Panthers have a prospect in Bryce Young that represents the total package. Sure, the concerns about his durability and slender frame must be taken into account, but this hasn't bothered the quarterback so far during a glittering high school and college career.
Young pre-snap recognition and processing are already NFL-ready. No play is ever dead when he's under center thanks to his mercurial on-field vision and the ability to maneuver in the face of extreme pressure with relative comfort.
The football smarts at Young's disposal keep him out of harm's way and the decision-making is exceptional. While the arm strength isn't elite by any stretch, the Heisman Trophy winner is accurate at all three levels and comes through in the clutch almost every time.
One only has to ask the opinion of Young's former teammates at Alabama to see how much he's revered. Even Nick Saban - arguably college football's greatest-ever coach - lauded the signal-caller for all the aforementioned traits to anyone who'd listen throughout the pre-draft assessment stage.
It's not going to be easy for Young. He'll have a huge bullseye on his back as the No 1 overall pick, but the prospect has a tremendous amount going for him and something that clearly enticed the Panthers enough to make their daring play.
Carolina Panthers genuinely believe in Bryce Young
This has to be the biggest reason of all, right? Because if there is no genuine belief in Bryce Young across the Carolina Panthers franchise, they'd have gone in a different direction.
Frank Reich and Scott Fitterer came to their conclusion quickly. Others within the program are also fully on board - including team owner David Tepper - and the scheme devised by offensive coordinator Thomas Brown has likely been devised specifically to make Young a success right out of the gate.
Young has done everything required of him so far. Everything.
There's plenty of evidence across his tape that the same accolades could emerge on Sundays. One could also make a strong case that this is the best environment for a first-year quarterback anywhere in the league.
It's a franchise-altering gamble that will come with severe repercussions if it goes wrong. But factoring everything into the equation, Young is a risk worth taking and the Panthers weren't about to play it safe at the last minute after sacrificing a king's ransom for the privilege.
Everywhere Young has gone and wherever he's played, winning follows. That speaks volumes and is something the Panthers haven't had at football's most prestigious position since Cam Newton took the NFL by storm.
That, above all else, is why those in power believe in Young. A man that stays true to himself no matter the criticism or situation with ice in his veins and fire in his heart.
All systems go.