Mel Kiper puts Bryce Young in lofty category in the 2023 NFL Draft class

Bryce Young is already gaining some buzz around NFL Draft circles. According to ESPN’s NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper, Young will be in a lofty category when his time rolls around.

“If you bookend these guys with last year’s class and you look at Bryce Young for next year [2023] out of Alabama, Bryce Young would be in the Trevor Lawrence category,” Kiper Jr. said, via the New York Post. “This year, you got a lot of guys who are OK, but not great, and then last year we had the five phenomenal guys.”

While the 2022 NFL Draft may not feature a quarterback on the Heisman winner’s caliber, Kiper reveals that Young will be at the forefront in 2023. However, teams like the Detroit Lions and Houston Texas are wishing Young was eligible to be the No. 1 selection in 2022.

It’s easy to see why Kiper is putting Young in a category with Trevor Lawrence — the Alabama star has earned it. In his first season as the Crimson Tide starting quarterback, Young has thrown for 4,322 yards and 43 touchdowns, while being intercepted just four times.

Kiper on Young: ‘They’ll be talking about Tanking for Bryce.’

Furthermore, Kiper believes NFL teams that get off to a rough start next season may simply turn their attention to Bryce Young.

“Put it this way: a team gets off to an 0-3, 0-4 start, they’ll be talking about Tanking For Bryce,” Kiper stated. “After four, five games, fans will be saying, ‘Lose ’em all, just get Bryce Young.'”

Even if you end up winning a couple games, Kiper believes a team could trade a kings ransom to acquire the rights to draft the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner.

“Or Any Price For Bryce. He’d be in the Trevor Lawrence category,” Kiper stated. “Guaranteed No. 1 pick, generational talent.

“He’s gonna be talked about the same way as a Trevor Lawrence was. He’s drawing comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers already.”

Kiper comparing Young to some of the best quarterbacks in the league may feel lofty, but he believes the Alabama star is extraordinarily similar to one superstar. Evidently, the ESPN NFL Draft guru favors the comparisons between Young and Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson.

“Very instinctive. Sees the field incredibly well. Incredible processor of information. Great accuracy, great ball placement, great pace to his throws in terms of knowing when to take something off, when to put a little on. Great leadership. Studies the game. Tremendous mobility,” Kiper said, describing Young’s top qualities. 

As you can see, the future is bright for Bryce Young. Still, the NFL Draft is far from his mind at the moment. The Alabama star and Heisman Trophy winner is focused on the College Football Playoff.