Bryce Young NFL Draft Scouting Report

QB, Alabama Crimson Tide

Throughout Bryce Young’s career, he established himself as one of college football’s best passers, earning the Heisman Trophy in 2021. He was also a two-time All-American, a Maxwell Award winner, and left Alabama second in career passing yards (8,356) and second in touchdowns (80) in only two years. Young has proven to be a quarterback who has high-level instincts for the position combined with plus-level arm talent. Young has consistently delivered in high-level moments for a program that is always in the spotlight, proving his poise and consistency as a quarterback. 

Young displays many plus-level traits to like, but his two distinct difference-maker traits are his accuracy and football IQ. Young’s accuracy is highlighted by his ability to deliver accurate tight-window throws to all levels of the field. In his time at Alabama, he was asked to make difficult throws consistently and did so. 

In the short-passing game, Young can get the ball out of his hands quickly and has proven that he can be a timing and rhythm thrower as a quick decision-maker who gets the ball out at the top of his drop, delivering an accurate pass. Young understands the importance of not only throwing an accurate pass to the receiver but the importance of ball placement.

Working the intermediate levels of the field, Young does a good job of ball placement, throwing crossing routes in a place where receivers can catch the ball in stride and continue to run. He has also shown to be able to consistently hit opposite-hash throws and comebacks against one-on-one coverage, showing a combination of accuracy and arm strength. 

Working the deeper portions of the field, Young makes his most impressive throws. Young has shown to be able to mix up ball velocity and tempo to make deep throws. Young can drop the ball over the receiver’s shoulder or lead a receiver on a deep vertical route to allow them to continue to gain separation, not breaking stride and continuing to maximize the play.

Young’s IQ as a passer shows through his ability to work through his progressions, throw with anticipation, and improvise to make a play out of structure. Working through his progressions, Young shows to be a calm quarterback who has an in-depth understanding of the purpose of the offensive play and also understands the defense. Without pressure, Young has calm, quiet feet in the pocket and can get through all progressions. When he locates an open receiver, he has a quick release to deliver the football. Working out of structure when protection breaks down, Young has done a good job to be able to escape the pocket, keep his eyes downfield, and deliver an accurate pass on the run. Young has a natural ability to make defenders miss and turn a negative situation into a positive play.

Young’s concerns as a quarterback will come from his lack of traditional size and the question of  his frame holding up from the physicality in the NFL. 

Overall despite size concerns, Young has consistently played at a high level in the SEC, showcasing his accuracy as a passer, ability to read defenses, and ability to create—all of which are translatable to the modern era of playing QB in the NFL.

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• Accuracy and ball placement 
• High football IQ  
• Ability to improvise 
• Poise in pressure moments 

Top Reasons For Concern: 

• Size concerns 
• Scheme-specific

Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 204 lbs

Arm Length: 30 1/2″

Hand Size: 9 3/4″

Athletic Testing (TBD):

40-yard Dash: TBD

Vertical Jump: TBD

Broad Jump: TBD

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: TBD

Ideal Role: Starting franchise QB

Scheme Fit: Spread 

TDN Consensus Grade: 87.50/100 (First-Round Value)

• Sanchez Grade: 87.50/100

Written By: Keith Sanchez 

Exposures:  LSU (2022), Texas (2022), Tennessee (2022), Kansas State (2022), Georgia CC (2021), Georgia NC (2021)

Bryce Young NFL Draft Scouting Report. Add him to your big board here.