The Carolina Panthers have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
And while there was reportedly some debate between Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, it now seems like Frank Reich and company have already made up their minds.
As of now, Young sits on top of the oddsmakers’ list to be the first guy off the board.
And judging by GM Scott Fitterer’s words on Young, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise:
“When Russell Wilson came out of college he had three passed batted down. Bryce had just two,” Fitterer said, per Ari Meirov. “Nutritionally we can do some things. And he’s also naturally going to put on weight as he ages. Russ was 206 when he came out. He’s 220 now. Guys just grow.”
#panthers GM Scott Fitterer on shorter QBs (Bryce Young) and their passes getting batted down at line: “When Russell Wilson came out of college he had three passed batted down. Bryce had just two.”
On Bryce Young’s weight: “Nutritionally we can do some things. And he’s also…
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 18, 2023
Young was the consensus best quarterback prospect in this class for the better part of the past couple of years.
He dominated the SEC almost at will during his days with the Alabama Crimson Tide, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.
More than that, even though his size and weight should be reasons for concern, Fitterer is right about him not being the only “tweener” to make it to the league and succeed at that position.
Drew Brees isn’t the standard for a QB from a physical standpoint, yet he wound up being a Super Bowl champion and one of the most prolific passers in the history of the game.
The Panthers have struggled without a franchise QB for way too long, so they won’t make this choice slightly.
But if they gave it all up to trade for the No. 1 pick, it’s definitely because they were already locked in on the guy they wanted, and it seems like that guy is none other than Bryce Young.
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The Panthers Have Added Another Intriguing Player On Offense
