Todd McShay makes the case for Alabama QB Bryce Young at No. 1 overall in 2023 NFL Draft

Mock Draft season officially got underway Tuesday morning when ESPN’s Todd McShay released his first one of the year. His No. 1 pick wasn’t much of a surprise — but he said it might not be a no-brainer selection.

McShay projects the Houston Texans to select Alabama star Bryce Young with the top pick in the draft. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner didn’t make it to New York this year, but still appears poised to top the NFL Draft board in April.

However, during an appearance on “Get Up,” McShay said teams might have some concerns about Young. That comes down to his size and if the 5-foot-11 Crimson Tide star can stay healthy in the league.

“I think he’s special,” McShay said. “The biggest thing for me is he’s got that Patrick Mahomes kind of poise and presence in the pocket. He knows where the rush is coming from, he knows where he has to keep his eyes while he’s moving around, he knows how to slide, he knows how to climb the pocket. He’s just so under control on the field. And he can create and extend plays, and that’s what you’re looking for now in an NFL quarterback. The game has changed, and he’s exactly what NFL teams are looking for.

“Now, size is the concern. It’s not about height and seeing over his offensive line. It’s about the durability and long-term durability. So, if he doesn’t go No. 1, it will be because the team — probably the Texans, in this scenario — says, ‘We’re worried about the long-term durability.’ But to me, he’s the best quarterback, he’s the best playmaker at the quarterback position in the 2023 class.”

Despite missing out on the Heisman Trophy ceremony this year, Young still had an impressive 2022 campaign despite missing some time with a shoulder injury. He threw for 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns to help Alabama to a 10-2 record this season.

The Crimson Tide missed out on the College Football Playoff, though, meaning Young is a candidate to opt out of the bowl game to prepare for the draft. He still hasn’t made a firm decision on what he’ll do, but the decision could come soon, as ESPN’s Pete Thamel said last week.

“I would think we’re going to know by the time they start bowl practice, right?” Thamel said. “The intentions are going to have to be declared. I don’t know the specific date on that, but it’s in the upcoming days here at Alabama. I think it’s going to be interesting, if we got to see Ty Simpson. They really like him there. It doesn’t sound like Alabama has been particularly aggressive in the transfer portal for some of these players.”