How will 2023 NFL Draft be remembered? Key storylines that could emerge from this year’s class

Like any draft, the 2023 NFL Draft will send the league down a new and unknown path. In a few weeks, a wide array of prospects will have new homes in the NFL and their pro careers will begin to blossom. By now, you know most of the heavy-hitter names coming out this year — Bryce Young, Will Anderson, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Jalen Carter, etc. But how will they fare after their name is called and they ultimately step onto the field? Also, who will come out of obscurity and take the league by storm? After all, getting drafted is just the beginning of the journey. 

Here, we’ll dive into some of the more notable storylines that could come out of this year’s draft and how it may be remembered going forward. 

Will Bryce Young’s size concerns be realized?

Let’s start with the player that is rapidly developing into the clear consensus No. 1 pick: Bryce Young. His pure talent has never been in question. However, it’s his size that has had evaluators pause and ponder on how that may translate at the next level. He stood 5-foot-10 at the NFL Scouting Combine and weighed in at 204 pounds. That weight was about 10 pounds heavier than what he was listed at Alabama, which could be looked at as more of a realistic playing weight. 

For context, former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray is the same height as Young but weighs in at 207, heavier than Young’s combine weight and much heavier than what Alabama had him at. Saints legend Drew Brees — another quarterback considered to be on the shorter side — was 6-0 and weighed 209 pounds. So, while there is some precedent, there’s not a massive sample size that suggests a player of Young’s stature can thrive in the league. 

Once he’s taken, Young will either show the NFL that his shorter size is irrelevant and a mere over-analyzation during the pre-draft process, or it legitimately becomes a factor that hinders his skills at the next…
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Author : Tyler Sullivan

Publish date : 2023-04-19 15:57:43

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