Mel Kiper Jr. shares what Bryce Young's success could do to the NFL
In a draft class that, at times, has been quarterback-heavy, Bryce Young seems to have a firm lead within the pack to be the first one off the board. However, to Mel Kiper Jr., even more could be at stake in future NFL Drafts if the Alabama QB comes into the NFL and makes his mark.
Kiper explained his point in an appearance on #Greeny at ESPN. He said Young’s success could lead to a new wave of smaller quarterbacks getting an opportunity to be pros. Overall, he sees it as a tipping point for that style of player and how franchises evaluate them in years to come.
“This is the total outlier. It’s one in a million,” Kiper said during the interview. “We’ve had all these years in the common draft. (But) we’ve never had a quarterback this size go in the first round. And he’s going to be the number one pick overall.”
“That’s what’s going to be great to watch. But will he be like Russell Wilson in the third round?,” said Kiper. “You’re gonna look back and say he either made a lot of money for a lot of people. Or he continued that feeling that you got to be six-foot or over to play quarterback effectively in the NFL. So, again, Bryce Young’s gonna open up the door for smaller quarterbacks if he has a successful career in the National Football League.”
Size has driven the conversation around Young during his evaluation. No one had many, if any, doubts about his skill set or the way he saw the game based on what he did over his two seasons with the Crimson Tide. Instead, the consistent knock on him has been his 5’10, 204-pound frame and whether or not it could withstand a full campaign in the NFL.
It doesn’t seem to be concerning the Carolina Panthers much as he seems primed to be their selection come the start of the draft on Thursday in Kansas City. Young’s achievements could just also end up being to the benefit of other slight prospects who have dreams of reaching this level in their football careers.
Young downplays the importance of being No. 1 overall pick
There’s a certain aura that comes with being the top selection of a draft class. Still, ahead of this year’s NFL Draft, having that distinction isn’t something that concerns Bryce Young.
In an interview on ‘The Pivot’ Podcast, Young addressed if he needed to be the top selection in 2023. To him, he said he didn’t because it is out of his control. Young added it would drive him crazy if he did concern himself with it. He says it’s just easier to not put anything into it and only worry about what’s to follow.
“For me, I don’t think it’s something that I put stock in,” Young said. “Again, I feel like I’m gonna land where I’m supposed to. I feel like, again, everything happens for a reason. And I can’t control it, honestly.”
“If I worry about stuff I can’t control? I’m gonna go crazy…That just doesn’t feel like an efficient way for me to operate,” said Young. “Being the No. 1 pick falls in that…That’s not up to me. That’s stuff that’s away from me.”