Bryce Young The Favorite To Be The First Overall Pick – And The Panthers Can’t Mess This One Up

Bryce Young stands as the favorite to be selected first overall in the 2023 NFL draft later this month.

In recent months, there has been much debate about whether the Alabama quarterback or CJ Stroud out of Ohio State should go number one.

But now Young is a -150 to get picked first, with Stroud at a +110, according to DraftKings.

In 2022, Young tossed for more than 3,300 yards along with 32 touchdowns.

The year before he passed for more than 4,800 yards with 47 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning season.

Additionally, Young holds the Alabama record for most passing yards in a single game with 559.

Stroud in 2022, threw for more than 3,600 yards, and 41 touchdown passes, which was second-most in the NCAA.

But Stroud really made an impression in the Peach Bowl where he threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

While the Carolina Panthers appear to be leaning toward taking Young, according to reports – it may not be an easy call.

The Panthers have invested a ton of assets into quarterbacks in recent years.

This includes trading a second, a fourth, and six-round draft picks for Sam Darnold, as well as dealing a fifth for Baker Mayfield.

None of those players are on the roster anymore.

But none is bigger than this latest experiment.

The Panthers most recently traded two first-round picks (2023,2024), and second-round selections in 2023 and 2025 along with its top wide receiver DJ Moore in a deal to acquire the rights to select either Stroud or Young. 

So either way, the Panthers better get it right this time.

Or it better hope that either option is a player it can’t miss with.