ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has one notable concern on Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, whom many predict will go first overall in the April draft.
Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud are widely viewed as the top two quarterbacks in this year’s class. Young completed 64.5 percent of his pass attempts for 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns and only five interceptions in 2022.
During one of ESPN’s recent mock draft segments (h/t Steve Samra of On3.com), Kiper Jr. detailed one key concern he has for the Alabama superstar:
“Holding up physically is the key concern. You saw him injured this past year at Alabama. He only started two years, right? Backed up Mac Jones. The NFL’s a different entity.
Quarterbacks go down, Adam [Schefter] covers it every week, injuries to somebody. They’re bigger, stronger, more physically imposing than Bryce Young. Holding up, definitely, I put the bar at 195. 195 or higher, for me, is QB1. Less than 195, he’s QB2.”
Young is listed at 6 feet in height, which is considered undersized for a quarterback in today’s NFL. But future Hall of Fame inductee Drew Brees (also 6 feet) and Denver Broncos signal-caller Russell Wilson (5-foot-11), both proved that size isn’t everything for an NFL quarterback.
The Chicago Bears hold the first overall pick in this year’s draft, but they already have a young quarterback in Justin Fields. If the Bears hold onto Fields, there’s a good chance they end up dealing the pick to someone who wants Young or Stroud.
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The QB-needy Houston Texans (owners of the No. 2 pick) and the Indianapolis Colts (fourth overall) are two teams to watch closely in the Stroud and Young sweepstakes.
