Carolina Panthers second-year quarterback Bryce Young further illustrates there is no such thing as a can’t-miss prospect.
On Monday, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he’s benching the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, replacing him with journeyman Andy Dalton.
With Young as the starter, the Panthers are 0-2 this season. In two starts, the former Alabama star has only 245 yards passing, no TD passes and three interceptions.
Before the draft, ESPN tabbed Young and Houston Texans edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. as co-No. 1 prospects in its consensus top-10 rankings.
“[Young] doesn’t make any mistakes,” wrote ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ” He’s one of the best ‘processors’ I’ve scouted over the past decade, meaning he goes through read progressions to find his target or knows exactly the right time to escape the pocket.”
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah raised doubts about Young’s size (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) but still listed the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner as his top prospect.
“His lack of height isn’t a major issue, but his narrow frame raises concerns about his durability at the next level,” Jeremiah wrote. “If Young can maintain his health, he should quickly emerge as a quality starting quarterback in the NFL.”
Young, however, has looked like a massive bust. In 18 regular-season starts, he is 2-16 and has thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (11).