Bryce Young - QB - Alabama - by Theo Ash
I never thought I’d see an Alabama offense get carried by a QB, but that is what happened this season. The WRs struggled to separate, the offensive line is leaky. Bryce Young was forced to create, and he showed off a special ability to do so.
Young has special pocket movement and toughness. He’s not afraid to hang in the pocket and take the big hit, and when he’s extending plays, he keeps his eyes downfield. His sack rate is extremely low for a guy who moves around as much as he does. He is an elite problem solver. It’s a superpower and if he becomes a top tier QB it will certainly because of that.
He really is small, though. Looking at pictures of him next to Mark Ingram (5’9) and Nick Sabin (5’6) you really can tell that he might be like, 5’9. He’s also not nearly as built as some of the other short QBs that he’ll be compared to. (Look at pictures of a shirtless Russ or Kyler, then look at Young’s physique. Very different body types) So I worry about the injury risk.
We haven’t seen a starting QB this small… Ever? At his height, the ability to consistently access the middle of the field is a valid concern. It’s common sense. Linemen are giant. If they are in a tiny persons way, the tiny person won’t be able to see over them.
Young will be compared to guys like Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray. They are obviously also small but they hit so many big plays, and are/were crafty enough to slide into open throwing lanes. They are/were able to ascend the list of NFL passers and play at an MVP level for long stretches. Young shares their creativity and accuracy. When he’s clean to read things out he can and he will make the right throw with good timing. I understand the comps.
The difference is, outside of the slimmer body type, his arm isn’t quiiiiite like theirs. It’s not bad at all, but Kyler and Wilson had/have A+ arms. Young’s is probably like a B? Something like that. If Kyler and Wilson have never been more than 2nd team all pro, where does that put Young’s ceiling? Perhaps not as high as some think.
I think his intangibles makes him a high-floor guy. As long as Young can stay healthy (again, a very valid concern at his size), I think he’ll be a good, but not quite elite, QB.
Grade: 6.4 - Dependable Starter - Early 2nd Round Grade (QB BONUS - Mid 1st Round Grade)
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