Why are the Carolina Panthers reportedly leaning toward quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Monday saw the biggest sign yet that the Carolina Panthers might be taking Bryce Young at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. The team is still scheduled to host C.J. Stroud and Will Levis today (Tuesday) for their top 30 visits, but sportsbooks across the land went heavily in the Alabama product's favor after he opted to cancel any remaining pre-draft meetings ahead of the big night.
Young knows he isn't getting out of the top two and the Houston Texans are not trading back if the Panthers shock the world and go in a different direction. That's probably the primary reason for the signal-caller's decision to sit back and enjoy the next nine days before he becomes an NFL pro.
FanDuel Sportsbook now has Young as the overwhelming favorite to be called first at -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100). Bet MGM even took the first pick off their book entirely after the news.
The Panthers better be right after striking their daring trade with the Chicago Bears for their pick of the quarterback litter. However, here are three reasons why they could be leaning toward Young atop the draft.
Reason No. 1
Carolina Panthers are comfortbale with the risks
One cannot examine Bryce Young without identifying the risks associated with the pick. His slender frame and lack of height make him an outlier for future diminutive quarterbacks, which might make durability an issue if he isn't insulated well enough.
The Carolina Panthers are clearly comfortable enough with the potential complications. They have a good offensive line, can rely on Miles Sanders as a three-down running back, and boast enough players at the skill positions with proven capabilities to get open quickly for good measure.
That won't prevent Young from taking hits at times. But the prospect displays enough football IQ and maneuverability to keep this down to a minimum.
S2 Cognitive Test matches the tape
Much has been made about the S2 Cognitive Test and its correlation to on-field production. While it's only a small piece of the puzzle, the assessment is something that reportedly holds a lot of weight where team owner David Tepper is concerned when push comes to shove.
Bryce Young scored in the 98th percentile, which is nothing short of astonishing. Anything over 80 is considered exceptional, so it's no surprise the signal-caller wanted to release this information in a similar manner to Joe Burrow, who was also taken No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020.
While this was an incredible score, the most important thing is how Young's intelligence also comes across on tape. He is the best processor in this class by a considerable margin - something that was highlighted by general manager Scott Fitterer when speaking about the prospect following their pre-pro day dinner at Alabama.
"He was so well-spoken, so well thought-out. When he talked about his preparation, when he talked about how he studies, how he sees the game, he's at a different level. He's already at that NFL level, which is great to see. Nothing's too big for him. Like, he can walk into any environment and be in total control."Scott Fitterer via Panthers.com
This is the sort of quarterback other players gravitate towards and get behind fully. For the Carolina Panthers, Young's elite traits in this regard could be enough to swing the pendulum in his favor.
Carolina Panthers want the X-factor
Ever since David Tepper bought the Carolina Panthers from Jerry Richardson for a then-record $2.2 billion, two things have evaded him.
Winning. And a true franchise quarterback.
Make no mistake, the two are linked. Had Cam Newton been able to stay healthy, this is a completely different conversation, but Matt Rhule opted to release the iconic signal-caller and spark a chain of disastrous events that eventually led to this point.
Now that Carolina has the No. 1 pick, it's Tepper's chance to finally get someone with that X-factor to take the Panthers from irrelevancy and into the national spotlight once again. While Bryce Young is a risk, those in power didn't make this move only to play it safe at the last minute.
If it doesn't work out, the Panthers have a major problem on their hands. But Tepper, head coach Frank Reich, and general manager Scott Fitterer have done a masterful job of putting everything around their new rookie signal-caller to ensure a smooth transition.
Everyone has their favorite and fans of C.J. Stroud will obviously be disappointed with these latest developments. However, this does not change the fact that there were two right answers atop the 2023 NFL Draft.
Young's magician-like qualities and elite-level processing make this the X-factor Tepper's craved for many years. That, above all else, might be the deciding factor.