ESPN's Todd McShay makes the case for Alabama QB Bryce Young at No. 1 overall
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay thinks that Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is incredibly special and the best quarterback in the NFL Draft.
During an appearance on Get Up, McShay explained why he has Young as QB1, even though he’s a small player.
“I think he’s special, and listen, he’s undersized,” Todd McShay said. “That’s gonna be the whole conversation leading up to the draft.”
“5-10 and 1/2 is what I was told by an NFL scout who went and measured him in the summer. When I talked to him before the Mississippi State game, he said ‘I bulked up to about 193 [lbs],’ and he’s working with a nutritionist. It’s just not normal for his frame to be over 200 but I think he’s gonna get there.”
Those concerns with Young’s size are very real. However, McShay doesn’t seem overly concerned about them. He also thinks that Young’s talent is so special that it outweighs possible issues with his size.
“So, the biggest concern is can he stay durable and healthy throughout his career. But, I think he’s a smaller version of Patrick Mahomes. The presence he has in the pocket, the ability to feel pressure coming, the ability to see the whole field and make all the throws with really good touch and timing. He’s different than all these other guys,” McShay said.
“I sit here and I watch tape over and over again. Will Levis has a great arm. Anthony Richardson is the most physically talented. CJ Stroud had an unbelievable career at Ohio State. But, Bryce Young is different.”
CBS analyst isn’t worried about Bryce Young’s size
One person who isn’t worried about Bryce Young’s stature is CBS analyst Josh Edwards.
“I understand the concerns about his size. I mean it’s unprecedented to have a quarterback of that size, that stature in the NFL. But the game is a little bit different. You can have a point guard at the quarterback position distributing the football and really utilizing the targets you’re able to build on that side of the ball. So I have less of a problem with his size today than maybe a decade ago,” Edwards said.
“I understand it’s not going to be ‘one size fits all’ where he’s going to be a fit for everyone. Some may prefer CJ Stroud, some may prefer Will Levis. I totally understand it. But Bryce Young? With what he brings to the table as far as his intangibles, his impromptu playmaking ability, the leadership? With all of that stuff, he’s my top quarterback prospect.”