Dynasty Rookie Profile: Bryce Young

Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama

6’0, 194 lbs

Strengths

Young has excellent accuracy and can hit every spot on the field. With shorter quarterbacks, there are normally questions about their arm strength. However, Young has no such issues. He has both the long ball range for deep passes and ball speed for throwing routes outside the numbers This is also in part to his consistent and sound mechanics.

Additionally, he is an advanced passer, using head fakes and using his eyes to deceive defenders. He also has terrific football IQ which is on display when he makes heads-up plays on many occasions that take reminders of down and distance in mind. Importantly he doesn’t force plays that aren’t there. He has great mobility and will be a factor in the rushing game because of it. Finally, he isn’t overly reliant on that aspect of his game though as he absolutely looks to pass first from within the pocket.

Weaknesses

Size will be a repeated factor that you hear regarding Young. Obviously, that can’t be changed, and he’s a bit undersized for an NFL quarterback. We’ll see exactly what his measurements end up being at the NFL Combine, but size is a knock on Young that you’ll hear fairly often. Sure he could add some pounds to his frame, but his height is fairly set in stone.

It also looks like his footwork could use some cleanup. Young will get nitpicked more as he threw for 20 fewer touchdowns this past year than he did during his immaculate Junior season. His profile is similar to that of many top prospects at the quarterback position. He is certainly not a can’t-miss prospect, and he’ll have to remain healthy and deliver to change that narrative. As a prospect over the past three years, he comes in graded well behind Trevor Lawrence and grades similar to what Justin Fields or Justin Herbert did as prospects. 

NFL Fit and Draft Capital

Now as far as fit in the NFL goes, there are whispers that Bryce Young could be somewhere between the first overall pick and the third quarterback taken. I have him as my top quarterback in part because he can elevate whatever parts are around him. That’s not saying doesn’t need anything, but the way he can escape from the pocket and take what is given is more likely to build initial confidence and future NFL success. A significant number of teams in the top 10 either don’t have a coach, already drafted a quarterback recently, or have the pick via trade and are not in the quarterback market. I think he still ends up with the Houston Texans at the second overall pick. Overall, I think his size will be just enough for teams to avoid trading up to the first overall pick to acquire him. 

He was still productive while throwing the ball to the worst receiving class that has been in the program for the past five years at Alabama. This will be the prime discussion point as to why he is a better prospect than CJ Stroud. He is used to having to put the team on his shoulders so it doesn’t appear as if a moment will be too big. Also, he carried this lesser Alabama team to close wins multiple times in the 2022 season.

Undoubtedly, Young should be the first quarterback off of the board in your dynasty rookie mocks. He is worth consideration at the top of the draft in Superflex leagues as well as a second-round pick in 1QB dynasty leagues.

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