Carolina Panthers draft Bryce Young No. 1 overall 

ALABAMA SPORTS INFORMATION

The Carolina Panthers did the expected Thursday by taking Alabama quarterback Bryce Young first overall in the NFL Draft.

Bryce Young issued a promise to his new fan base moments after the Carolina Panthers selected him first overall in the NFL Draft before nearly 125,000 fans in Kansas City. 

The Panthers will get “everything I have,” Young told ESPN. 

When the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama was announced on a rainy Thursday night during the Panthers’ Draft Party at Bank of America Stadium, fans celebrated. 

“It’s a dream come true,” Young said. “I’m blessed. I want to thank God for allowing me to be here.”

The pick proved to be the worst-kept secret in the NFL. General manager Scott Fitterer acknowledged during Thursday’s press conference that he pinpointed who he wanted to select “during dinner” last month. 

A contingent including owner David Tepper, new coach Frank Reich and Fitterer took Young out for a bite to eat and a chat on March 22.  Tepper said he knew well before paying the dinner check.  

Standing at the side of the press conference podium Thursday, Tepper said he ran into Young during a Super Bowl LVII party and asked him if he wanted to trade “sweet Alabama” for “sweet Carolina.” 

Fitterer: ‘He checked every box’  

Since Tepper bought the Panthers five seasons ago for a then-record $2.3 billion, they have gone 29-53 and have yet to qualify for the playoffs.  

Collectively, the Panthers’ brass targeted Young. 

“The quarterback we are getting has been a winner forever,” Reich said. “This guy is a winner. He has been a winner on the field, but he wins off the field as well. He’s our kind of guy.” 

 
For the right to draft first overall, the Panthers on March 10 handed the Chicago Bears top receiver D.J. Moore, the ninth and 61st picks, a next year’s first-round selection and a 2025 second-rounder. 

Was the price too steep for a QB-starved franchise? Tepper considered it, but over the past two seasons, four different signal-callers started at least five games. Their combined QB rating ranked 31st and 30th. 

Tepper said his analytics ability helped him compile a reported net worth of $18.5 billion, and looking over the roster’s bottom line, approved of the deal.  

“There is no sure thing here, but it’s a probability sort of [thing],” he said. “And we thought he has the best probability of winning Super Bowls.” 

Publicly, the Panthers were linked to four possible QB candidates: Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, who went second overall to the Houston Texans, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson, who went fourth to the Indianapolis Colts.  Of all the candidates, Reich said Young proved himself in “big moments” with “big throws.” 

There are concerns with Young, however, notably his size. The Panthers didn’t take issue. At 5-foot-10, 204 pounds, Young proved durable, starting 27 of 28 games in the rugged SEC the past two seasons.  

“His height doesn’t show up on tape,” Fitterer said.  

In 35 career games at Alabama, Young completed 624 of 949 passes for 8,356 yards, 80 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. 

Young did not throw at the NFL combine, but, in the Panthers’ evaluation, it didn’t matter. Fitterer confirmed the Panthers did their due diligence. 
 “He checked every box,” he said. 

Landing in a good spot 

Young has a few good reasons to feel optimistic about being drafted by the Panthers. While most No. 1 overall draft picks go to underwhelming situations, Young could find immediate, proven support. 

Reich is known as a quarterback guru. A 13-year NFL veteran and Carolina’s inaugural starting quarterback, he helped Carson Wentz develop into second team All-Pro as the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator. 

“Make no mistake about it, we got the best quarterback in college football right here in this stadium,” Reich said.

Young also is walking into a veteran-laden receiving room. Despite losing Moore in the trade to Chicago, Young should be confident with the Panthers’ receiving corps. Newcomers Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark are proven NFL contributors and Terrance Marshall, entering his third season, is expected to earn a bigger role.  

While Reich said Young will “have to earn” the starter’s role, Young understands the Panthers’ fan base expects him to be the starter for Week 1. 

When the rookie “steps on the field, he’ll be in the No. 2 spot,” Reich said. “And that’s the way it should be.”

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