Mel Kiper reveals what Bryce Young can do to move into QB1 spot

The 2023 NFL Draft isn’t far away and it promises to be one with plenty of intrigue thanks to the question marks that exist in the quarterback class. On a recent episode of First Draft on ESPN, Mel Kiper broke down how Bryce Young can become QB1 in the draft.

In short: Tip the scales appropriately.

“We’re waiting to see — at least I am, and I know people in the league are — what he weighs,” Kiper said. “That’s going to be critical, and we won’t know that until the Combine. And obviously the Pro Day will be important as well.”

Kiper and fellow NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay kicked around a couple scenarios, but many seemed to revolve around the Colts getting to select a quarterback at pick No. 4 without having to trade up.

“But for Will Levis, if you can get Will Levis without moving up, and the Colts could, that will be interesting,” Kiper said. “They could sit at four, according to Todd, Will Levis dropping to the Raiders, I believe, Todd, in your mock. They don’t have to give up anything to get a guy that I believe is right there with Bryce Young.”

But make no mistake about it, Bryce Young will be QB1 for Kiper and company in the event his weigh-in goes well.

“I’ll go to Bryce Young as QB1 if he’s 195 or higher,” Kiper said. “I’ll stick with Will Levis as QB1 if that’s not the case with Bryce Young. But either way, they’re 1 and 1A in my opinion. Others have a significant gap between Young and Levis. I don’t. So I would stick at four, sit there and wait it out. If Bryce Young is available, fine, if Will Levis is there, I’m fine with that as well. But for the Colts to move up and give up a ton to get Bryce Young at this stage, I don’t think, to me, would make a lot of sense.”

Later, Kiper put the bow on the discussion. Young has to weigh in well.

“In terms of this draft, I think if Bryce Young is 195 or better… why is it important?” he asked out loud. “Because can you hold up physically? You can do all the magic you want in college. That’s college, this is the NFL. Again, that’s why 195 is so critical. We’ve never had a quarterback, never. You know what never means? We’ve never had that with Bryce Young, that size going this high in the draft. If you’re going to see it, it’s going to have to be 195 or better.”